jr stump

Hi All,

My 1992 D250 won't start every once in a while, usually when it's cold. Key turns all the way after what to start light goes off and nothing, have to keep trying it till it starts. Ignition switch was checked and battery, etc. A guy pulled the starter off and said it was full of engine oil that had peaked into it, he cleaned it and put it back on instead of putting new one in.
He said to start shopping around for a new truck. But I love my truck, and I use it for work and need it to start all the time. He said fixing oil leaks would be too costly ($2,000) and not worth it. Just looking for advice. Is there a way to seal up a new starter so oil doesn't get into it?Or what oil leaks are most likely affecting starter?

Thanks in advance.

oliver foster

1st find a new mechanic. He sounds like a loser.
$2000 to fix an oil leak?

Engine oil you say? Maybe the breather tube is short and your blow by oil is getting into it.
Maybe the tappet cover is leaking but that should run down the block more than into the starter.

I would guess it is likely diesel oil that is dripping in from the LP, fuel line or filter housing.

jr stump

Thanks Oliver,
I appreciate it. So you think I should find another mechanic and take it there? I'll try and lay under it and see if I can see anything.

thankyou!

oliver foster

I would try to sort out what is leaking and from where, first yourself.
You should be able to see the leaking oil from above, I would think.

oliver foster

I would also not rule out that the starting issue is related to wiring of some sort and the "oil soaked" starter has little to do with it.
Dirty / loose wire connections, battery terminals, grounds, ETC.

Ulsdiesel

maybe368

Make sure that the fuel shutoff solenoid (FSS) wire is firmly connected...Mark Never mind, I see that it isn't cranking and the fss would not cause that

jr stump

One friend told me that it sounds like the main seal is leaking oil into the starter. He said that would be between 500- $1,000 to fix. plus about $300 for a new starter, wondering if it's worth it. It was cold yesterday and truck wouldn't start for a while. It always does start eventually, but it took 8 or ten tries with doing wait to start light a couple of times. in the past when it's been a problem, I plug in the block heater for 20 minutes and it seems to help, why is that if there's oil in the starter would that help it to start? But new trucks are very expensive and used trucks with 175,000 miles are like $15,000 so might have problems anyway with a used one. More advice is greatly appreciated. thanks all!

patdaly

First off, lets clarify. When you say won't start, do you mean the engine will not turn over, I.E. it just makes a click and you have to keep turning the key until it does spin, or do you mean the engine spins over but just won't start?
Second, the main seal would dump engine oil on the ground, not on the starter. Are you going through a lot of oil? My best guess is if you are getting oil on your starter, it will be the side cover gasket, very much cheaper to replace.

Anyway, clarify the start issue and we can try and help.

jr stump

And not going through a ton of oil or anything. Looks like the valve cover gasket is leaking, but not real bad yet. it's leaked oil for a while, but not a lot.

NJTman

Just rebuilt 2 of these starters. There is no physical way of oil entering the starter motor itself under any circumstances, from inside the adapter plate area.. It could get oil onto the starter nose and gear reduction housing, but it cannot penetrate the motor itself. There's no way.

It could get inside through a bad seal on the solenoid cap, or the motor body seals, but it would be from an external leak, not a rear main

The rear main would be dumping tons of oil on the ground, if to was bad enough to swing up around and fill the gear reduction section of the starter. Its shaped like a cone for a reason, to deflect oil from leaks. Oil doesn't make right hand turns into a 1/4 inch space, unless it's a closed, pressurized enclosure, which the trucks adapter plate is not.

The guy is screwing you. Bring some Vaseline next time you go there.

Diesel_Dawg

If I understand the issue correctly, the starter is not engaging when you turn the key to the "start" position. Do you have an auto or a manual transmission (possible clutch or neutral safety switch issue)?