Ironic Story, Starter Related

[Recovry4x4]

So, a few weeks ago I get a call from an acquaintance. Seems that he has a camp about 10 miles beyond nowhwhere, deep in the swap. He uses his deuce to get back and forth to the camp. The starter has ceased to function and the truck is too heavy for the buggy to pull start. I volunteer to go out there in the deuce and bring a backup starter. I get home from work, load my crap and off I go. I find him at a trail head about an hour later. He's in a swamp buggy, I sense a problem. His truck stalled in the water and is currently still there. He tells me the water is deep. Against my better judgment I follow him out there. After navigating what seems like 150 water holes (many with the headlights under the wake) we get to the truck. I pull it out but there is no room to pull start it.

We ended up swapping starters in the rain but we got him going and out. Few days later he calls, same problem with the starter. I remember following him and watching the water and sand coming out from under his truck. Suddenly it dawns on me. The sand and silt in the water is getting inside the starter and funking it up. Had I known how far back and the conditions, I probably wouldn't have gone back. I probably wouldn't have sold my last extra starter either.

Why write this today? I was thinking about it as I backed my M35A2C in the yard with the M108A2 since my starter is funked up too. Anyone have any advice and flushing and cleaning a starter?

No pics, weather sucked big time.

PS, I did steal a starter from one of my canned motors to get me by!

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

Flush it with fresh water. Fresh water will not harm electrical devices.

 

[hndrsonj]

Should have had a gasser, you would not have had any problems.

 

[FireFighterHill]

Maybe you should let him know about those magical things called "FORDING KITS" I would hate to see how the fluid in his axles and transmission look, probably like chocolate milk.

 

[cranetruck]

Good job saving your friend Kenny, you are a good neighbor!

Did you forget the bellhousing plug?

As stated above, check all wheel bearings and do the necessary "after fording" maintenance as is required after any dip in water or mud that goes over the wheel hubs...well you know all this. I'm sure.
BTW, the starter is waterproof, there is a test in the TM (images below).
There is a starter on the engine that Brandon delivered a couple of weeks ago, let me know if you need it.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Well, I had no intentions of getting wet and not having a fording kit, I didn't bother with the bellhousing plug. I'm wondering if that was my downside. I'll swap out starters and break this one down and see what I can with it. Bjorn, I may have to take you up on the starter if you don't need it. No biggy if you can use it. Mr Hill, I did tell him about the fording kit and explained it's funtion. He wants one as do I but knowing about them doesn't produce them. If you have a source for a fair priced one or three, please let me know. Heck, find me the regulator and I'll build my own.

Bjorn, what TM is that out of. I'm sure I have the TM, just don't recall.

 

[cranetruck]

Best fix Kenny is to move out of the swamp and get back on real land.

He'd have to leave Florida for that.

The TM is 9-2920-248-35.
If you need the starter, let me know timeframe and shipping/pick-up arrangements.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Best fix Kenny is to move out of the swamp and get back on real land.

Gene, if only I could. I'd be stretched out on a hundred acre tract in Menifee County KY.

 

[FireFighterHill]

Recovery, I was going to suggest building your own. SixSpeed helped his neighbor build one and said it was very simple and straight forward. I would contact him.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Building one is a non issue. Finding the correct regulator has proven more difficult.

 

[FireFighterHill]

I believe sixspeed said they only used about 4psi. Couldn't you just use the same regulator you use for air tools to lower the psi to what you need. Maybe even put the regulator and an on/off valve in the cab.

While im thinking out loud, I wonder if some kind of check valve could be incorporated into say the bell housing, axles, etc. This would keep the pressure where you want it and release excess pressure

 

[Recovry4x4]

Supposed to be 1 1/2 to 2 PSI. I have a powertool regulator that I've been playing with for just that reason

 

[stumps]

You could always use an adjustable propane regulator. They like to work in the under 5psi region.

-Chuck

 

[Recovry4x4]

Excellent Idea Chuck!

 

[mangus580]

Expensive, but here is a 0.4 - 10 PSI regulator

MSC Item Detail

 

[SixSpeed]

I am running 2 PSI on my buddies setup. I have a complete parts list, head to toe, if you are interested. LMK

 

[Heavysteven]

I am running 2 PSI on my buddies setup. I have a complete parts list, head to toe, if you are interested. LMK

Could you email me a copy? Thanks Smruble132@yahoo.com