moisture/water and sluggish start

[dlstyley]

Harvey has moved on, but my 2016 TEP starts sluggishly now. Between using fuel from a farm tank and dealing with a lot of high water, I'm concerned I either got a small amount of water in fuel tank, or got some moisture into the intake system. It used to fire up immediately. Now I find it taking about a second longer before it fires up and even releasing the key before it actually starts.

Any ideas on what this could be? It's been several days since it started, so not something that is just going to dry out.

It does start and, then runs just fine, but something seems off. I'd like to fix before it turns into something.

Thanks

 

[TRUSTYAXE]

Harvey has moved on, but my 2016 TEP starts sluggishly now. Between using fuel from a farm tank and dealing with a lot of high water, I'm concerned I either got a small amount of water in fuel tank, or got some moisture into the intake system. It used to fire up immediately. Now I find it taking about a second longer before it fires up and even releasing the key before it actually starts.

Any ideas on what this could be? It's been several days since it started, so not something that is just going to dry out.

It does start and, then runs just fine, but something seems off. I'd like to fix before it turns into something.

Thanks

Happy to hear you and your rig made it. I'd get some seafoam in your tank ASAP.
:lookout:

 

[gm350reratliff]

To clarify, when you say "starting sluggishly" are you talking about the starter turning the engine over or are you saying the engine is taking longer to fire than normal?

 

[1engineer]

Harvey has moved on, but my 2016 TEP starts sluggishly now. Between using fuel from a farm tank and dealing with a lot of high water, I'm concerned I either got a small amount of water in fuel tank, or got some moisture into the intake system. It used to fire up immediately. Now I find it taking about a second longer before it fires up and even releasing the key before it actually starts.

Any ideas on what this could be? It's been several days since it started, so not something that is just going to dry out.

It does start and, then runs just fine, but something seems off. I'd like to fix before it turns into something.

Thanks

Go get an additive to put in your tank to help clean it up.

Only use fuel from non flooded tanks.

Even then it will take several tanks before everything is fine again.

Patience.

 

[delloro]

Use HEET for a few tanks to dry the fuel system.

 

[dlstyley]

To clarify, when you say "starting sluggishly" are you talking about the starter turning the engine over or are you saying the engine is taking longer to fire than normal?

Taking slightly longer to fire than normal. This vehicle always surprised me in how quickly it fired up co pared to previous vehicle. Since the storm, it definitely takes a few more turns of the starter before firing.

 

[wfo9]

Taking slightly longer to fire than normal. This vehicle always surprised me in how quickly it fired up co pared to previous vehicle. Since the storm, it definitely takes a few more turns of the starter before firing.

Killing the starter itself is very common in high water scenarios. Is it running OK once cranked?

If so, really doubt it is fuel related, but I guess anything is possible. Driving it would be the best thing...

Water does not really hurt an engine. I've injected it straight into the intake before LOL. It actually does a good job of cleaning things up.. but it obviously kills BTUs... and too much will hydro lock it (but that obviously did not happen). Also real bad if it gets into he crankcase, but you would see that right away in the oil and the motor is pretty well sealed up unless PCV unhooked or something odd. The biggest issue with high water overall is electronics, accessories, differentials and bearings. These things usually take a while to show up, but the starter is one that is usually right away.

Change your rear diff fluid if you did not have a relocated breather... Has nothing to do with a sluggish start.. but super common to contaminate the diff oil with water and it will kill it left unchanged.

 

[dlstyley]

Only use fuel from non flooded tanks.

Gee... thanks.

 

[dlstyley]

Killing the starter itself is very common in high water scenarios. Is it running OK once cranked?

If so, really doubt it is fuel related, but I guess anything is possible. Driving it would be the best thing...

Running ok once started. Actually seemed much better today after refueling last night. I'm starting to think it's just going to take longer than expected for everything to dry out.

We had to make a bunch of trips through high water to deal with livestock, help evacuate, and preserve property. Never missed a beat while driving, but was hesitating to start just long enough to make me concerned.

Despite some joker's comment above, the tanks weren't "flooded", but could very well have had some contamination from wind-driven rain. 90+ mph can do that. Unfortunately with a complete power outage in town, that's all we had for fuel.

Glad to get through it unscathed. Definitely dodged a bullet here. Feeling for those that weren't nearly as lucky.

 

[wfo9]

Running ok once started. Actually seemed much better today after refueling last night. I'm starting to think it's just going to take longer than expected for everything to dry out.

We had to make a bunch of trips through high water to deal with livestock, help evacuate, and preserve property. Never missed a beat while driving, but was hesitating to start just long enough to make me concerned.

Despite some joker's comment above, the tanks weren't "flooded", but could very well have had some contamination from wind-driven rain. 90+ mph can do that. Unfortunately with a complete power outage in town, that's all we had for fuel.

Glad to get through it unscathed. Definitely dodged a bullet here. Feeling for those that weren't nearly as lucky.

You should be fine.

There are usually screens on the injector inlets. If you think you got really dirty gas and it continues.. (maybe a rusty tank....) you might need to pull them and clean after a few clean tanks of fuel have run through it. Have not done it on this truck yet, but it is usually not a difficult job. Also, the sea foam is not a bad idea. It helps get the gunk moving.

I'm in the area and almost went down to help, but this crazy gas freak out stopped me and I think things are under control now. Lots of people I know were in it and many of them are now having issues with their trucks. Mostly bad starters and steering racks.... It's hard on vehicles, but nothing that cannot be fixed....Proud of Texas for the response and it made me think... "this is the Texas I know", but it was sad to see what the dip shits in Dallas and Austin did in the last day. Hording gas like little freaks. One guy today was busted for filling up a baby pool in the back of his truck with gas.... I was on E so I finally had to get some and it was not easy.... Hoping people get their heads straight.

 

[1engineer]

Gee... thanks.

You would be surprised at the idiotic things people do around here...