94 E350 RV sitting for 10 years! 390k miles....

[dfwrotary]

I picked up a 94 E350 Camper RV that was used as a Show Mobile to display clothes manufactured by Born Free, it was last registered 10 years ago, it has a IDI 7.3 non turbo, I took it to storage as I didn't want to get the neighbors pissed off about how lt looks

I went with some fresh batteries and had to trigger the starter with some pliers, engine appears to have even strokes during cranking, I'm suspecting that it's out of diesel as I cracked one of the injectors line open and it was almost dry without any pressure

What do you guys recommend I try, test and look over? I hear the glow plug relay clicking on then shutting off and on after a few seconds, I'm mechanically inclined with gas vehicles and can swap out parts if needed. Thanks in advance

 

[Big Bart]

1) Check all your fluids.
2) Change the oil.
3) At 10 years I would drain the tank and go with fresh diesel.
4) It sounds like the glow plugs are working. It should click on for 10 seconds and then cycle. If you can plug in the block heater as a backup.
5) Put a battery charger on your new batteries.
6) Crank for 10 seconds at a time. Let the starter cool for 30 seconds in between. After 7-8 tries you may need to crack the injector lines at the injectors to bleed them.
7) Once it starts let it run for a couple minutes and check your radiator and oil dipstick. If your oil cooler seals are cracked you might start getting mixed liquids.
8) Also make sure your thermostat is working so you do not overheat. Only use Motorcraft ones FYI.

Others will chime in. Let us know how it is going. Feel free to ask questions along the way. Welcome to the club!

 

[gnathv]

Why are you having to jump it with pliers? Are you getting 12v to the fuel shut off solenoid on injection pump?

 

[dfwrotary]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm having to jump the starter because it's not working from the ignition switch, I suspect there's a kill switch somewhere? I also have some type of little box below on my dash with 2 tiny black momentarily buttons, I'm thinking something to do with the glow plugs? I'll take a picture of it next visit to the storage

 

[nitroguy]

Also, don't forget to fill your fuel filter with diesel before you start all the cranking. I've killed whole batteries just trying to fill it while cranking the engine to drive the mechanical lift pump.

 

[dfwrotary]

I'm gonna work on it this weekend, I'm crossing my fingers that it will fire up

 

[gnathv]

If you have access to 110v power and the block heater cord looks good, I’d plug it in and help your chances of starting easier.