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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: white-eagle on September 16, 2008, 11:10:01 AM

Title: watered down engine won't start
Post by: white-eagle on September 16, 2008, 11:10:01 AM
i was cleaning up the bus engine trying to determine oil leak areas and possible fixes.  i had it running to warm up.  sprayed it with some degreaser soap stuff, then let it set for awhile.  went back later and washed the engine off, spraying the heads, oil fill side of the engine, back toward the oil filter where just put a new line on last week, etc.  everything that i could reach from the back of the bus.  regular garden hose, not high pressure hose.

then i thought i'd start back up to dry it off and watch for leaks.  turned the switch up front, but used the starter button in back.  no start.  cranked for 5 sec, then again, then again.  didn't seem to fire.  filters clean and like i said, was just running 45 min earlier.  the battery started to slow up a little, so i quit for a few minutes.

went up to the front and hit the rocker to engage the starter and on she went.

tried it today and the back button worked fine.

any thoughts on what happened? 
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Len Silva on September 16, 2008, 11:45:00 AM
That's easy, you got water in the distributor ;)
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: cody on September 16, 2008, 11:54:07 AM
I see 2 problems, a clean detroit is a confused detroit. lol
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: JackConrad on September 16, 2008, 12:09:54 PM
Something stuck in engine stop circuit?  Engine stop piston on governor or or engine solenoid? Did you see any white smoke while cranking?  Jack
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Blacksheep on September 16, 2008, 12:19:05 PM
Sounds more like the rear starter switch got wet and wasn't making a contact. After you got it started, the heat from the engine probably dried it out and all is well!
Keep in mind, that even though it doesn't get wet wet, steam from hot water can seep into areas unknown and cause moisture on contacts to not make a connection, but you already knew that I'm sure! :)

Ace
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Sojourner on September 16, 2008, 12:38:17 PM
Ace...amen!
FWIW
I don't know Eagle system but my MCI-8 will not run from rear panel unless front master switch on dash is in on position and trans in neutral. I believe it wired this way to keep stranger from starting.
Along what Jack said about engine kill solenoid or lever stuck in off position. You can see if kill lever is in "on" position while cranking to start.
Check to see if kill lever will move freely via hand with spring tension while in "on" mode.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Gerald
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 12:47:49 PM
I'm with Jack on this one...

It happened to me twice after power washing the engine.

Reset the butterfly on the emergency stop at teh injector pump.

Nick-
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: gumpy on September 16, 2008, 01:40:27 PM
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on September 16, 2008, 12:47:49 PM
I'm with Jack on this one...

It happened to me twice after power washing the engine.

Reset the butterfly on the emergency stop at teh injector pump.

Nick-

Tom has a 92 series engine (8V92, I think). He doesn't have a emergency stop butterfly.

Does an eagle have a safety shutdown circuit like MCI?  Maybe water on one of the sensors was grounding it and activating the shutdown circuit.

Or, possibly the stop cylinder was stuck in the fuel off position. I've had them do that. A bit of water could cause the rod to rust a bit and stick it.

craig
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 01:51:25 PM
Yea Craig,

I didn't mean to say butterfly but "Rod" is what I ment..
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: white-eagle on September 16, 2008, 02:06:05 PM
Len is pulling my chain, right?  no distributor on diesel.

no white smoke.

power switch up front was on.  was in back after washing, and hit button.  like i said, i think i just walked up to front area and hit the rocker and it started.
there is a toggle which is like putting the key in and flipping on so the lights come on, then a rocker to kick the starter over.  had the toggle on when i hit the back starter button, but it only started up when i hit the front starter rocker.  today, they both worked fine.

i figured since it was turning, the compression had to be there to fire and there should not have been a fuel issue.  maybe the kill switch wire was wet, but it was right next to the start button which worked, but engine didn't kick in.  i even tried just a touch of ether which didn't make sense since it was about 70 dgrees, but tried anyway.

i think Cody was right, just didn't like the bath and the oil i washed off the engine.  gumpy is also correct in that it is an 8v92t. 

thanks for the responses.
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Busted Knuckle on September 17, 2008, 07:12:03 AM
check your spark plug wires! They cause all kind of problems when wet if they haven't been replaced regularly! ;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: VAN on September 17, 2008, 08:07:58 AM
Don't forget ,wiper blades every 6,000 mi as they seriously affect the single four sided dektophonic relay valve when over lubricated whith your favorite beverage,which in turn can cause premature hyper stagnation of the sub chingus valves thus reducing syncronized harmonic balance of the exhaust reduction device's bearings.

  just my 2 cents of diesel
          VAN

P.S there will always be some sort of bugs
that appear after washing an engine.
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Sojourner on September 17, 2008, 10:55:17 AM
Van......thank for sharing two of your bugs.

I put one of them in my file so I can test it with my can of bug killer as soon as possible.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: VAN on September 17, 2008, 03:52:37 PM
Hey man I only had one bug when I started ,See what happens when ya add water damn bugs start multiplying. LOL

      Looking for raid

                VAN
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: redbus on September 17, 2008, 09:22:56 PM
Manasst

I think they are pulling your leg. It cannot be the muffler bearing. You just got water in the carb. Have Fran pour a quart of oil in the carb while you crank it over and see what happens.

good luck
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: fe2_o3 on September 18, 2008, 01:48:46 AM
   Sounds like you got the rear switch(s) wet. I steam these things for a living and that happens to me a lot. I usually blow the switch panel out with air and off we go...Cable
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: VAN on September 18, 2008, 06:59:21 AM
Manasst   But seriously I had the same thing happen the first time I went to degrease the engine and after being side tracked by the other problems that occured Finally got around to checking the electical box and all terminalized conections. I ended up servicing or replacing all the oxidised conectors and splices and soldering all the new /old ones,shrink wrap was also used where possible and once a good contact was establised I pulled out the hot glue gun was used to seal it up. I also replaced all the grommets on the rear electrical panel as well as made a new rubber seal for the panel cover.In going thru the rear panel I was amazed at how many terminals (wire) were just crimped on and had little or no continuaty at all

    Engine sensors were all addressed the same way,before using the glue gun a light coat of tune up grease was applied to the terminal before making the connection (ring/spade)then the hot glue was applied over the connection ,this insured a good water proof contact ,This process has always worked for me and gives me peace of mind and has never let me down yet and if You need to do any future trouble shooting you can still easily check any terminal with your volt meter probe. Eventually I will move foward to the front panel but for now I can wash the engine with confidense and a big greesy smile LOL,Good luck

P.S  Disconect batteries before washing,
     
        Just my 2 cents of soapy water

          VAN
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: white-eagle on September 18, 2008, 07:11:05 PM
redbus, i'll try that tomorrow.  fran couldn't get the gallon size up that high, so i ordered some quarts of 40wt rotella.  and the muffler bearing was just greased up last week at williams during the lube job.  they confirmed it this morning.  NOT!!!

bk, i can't find the wires running alongside the valve covers.  they are on that side right?? ::)

you guys just wait til you need help with your computers...  :D :D 
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: Busted Knuckle on September 18, 2008, 07:14:59 PM
Quote from: manasst on September 18, 2008, 07:11:05 PM
redbus, i'll try that tomorrow.  fran couldn't get the gallon size up that high, so i ordered some quarts of 40wt rotella.  and the muffler bearing was just greased up last week at williams during the lube job.  they confirmed it this morning.  NOT!!!

bk, i can't find the wires running alongside the valve covers.  they are on that side right?? ::)

you guys just wait til you need help with your computers...  :D :D 


I already need computer help! But the main thing my computer needs is a smarter operator! LOL!
And theres yer problem ya washed away the wires! Their like a gremlin you aren't supposed to get the wet!
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: watered down engine won't start
Post by: redbus on September 19, 2008, 05:12:58 AM
Sorry Tom. The Devil made me do it. You know what that White Lightning does to me.