stolen truck starting after recovery

[Skink]

As a precursor to this thread , I am a Diesel technician , but am marine engine oriented.

A friend of mine called me to take a look at a customer's '02 powerstroke f350 that had been recovered from a theft.
I had repaired another friend's powerstroke thanks to this forum (CPS sensor) and figured you'd be the guys to ask.

Apparently this truck was "stolen" (I have reservations as to the circumstances surrounding this , but it doesn't matter) and dumped in a parking lot after the wheels and exhaust were stripped from the vehicle. My buddy decided to attempt a startup after replacing the batteries. He said it was rolling an intermittent oddly colored smoke (not white nor black). He replaced the fuel filter , noting that it was nasty. Still no luck in startup.

I show up ... first thing I check is the fuel pump .. fuel pump is not doing it's job , even when 12v applied to it directly .. I disconnect the line and a foul smelling substance that has the consistency of water pours out of the line.
It's definitely been up in the filter on the engine , because they told me it was when they changed it. I checked to see if the turbo was free just because.
I then took an electric fuel pump and fresh diesel and supply the engine directly from that. Is the truck's fuel pump supposed to develop a high pressure like fuel injected car systems? (i.e. 45 psi or so) I know the pump isn't right because it's powered but wont operate.

I attempt to start the engine.. sometimes it will smoke a little (whitish brown but not heavy) , sometimes nothing comes out of the exhaust. I know the filter is getting a good supply of fuel.

An OBDII scanner was hooked up , but no codes evident. I noticed the tach didnt move during cranking , but I don't remember if it's supposed to during cranking (CPS). Another thing .. did they change the sensor from the cam to the crank from '00 to '02??

I also checked the glow plug ..for some reason the solenoid didnt do anything during glow period.. even applied voltage to it during cranking but the lack of white smoke told me the fuel wasnt there..

I suspect either the high pressure pump is not doing it's job , or possible fouling of the injectors , but being my backround isn't this type of engine , I am asking for any ideas as to narrow this down a bit. I'd rather not send it to the dealer. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Lone Ranger]

Water is the killer to most diesel injection systems.... It sounds like someone was being mean and wanted to sabotage the engine. Water will not compress like diesel, and wrecks the pumps of some engines. If it gets through the pump on a warm engine, it can ruin injectors...

Mind you I am an Antique Mechanic. Mechanical Rotary or Inline injection pumps are immediately STUFFED by water and sieze or break. Pressure fired mechanical injectors can have the tips blown off by water.... I don't really know about the high pressure Ford system, still in learning phase, but if you found waterty material in the system, sounds like sabotage there...

Ranger in Oz...

[Banshee34]

Not knowing what this would do but... you don't think they put GAS in it do you??

[Skink]

It is definitely sabotage , I have no doubt the water was introduced ..

[Skink]

not gas , I have seen many a diesel with gasoline in the fuel .. this was water

[mschn99]

skink, PM me and i will give you my number and the best times to call. i will give you a hand with this one. this could end up being a pretty complicated thing to figure out and it would most definately be easier on the phone......Marc

[Veggie-Destroyer]

hey I wanted to buy a salvage f-250 01-02 but if they have flood damage . do you think this will be an easy fix ?? am I dreaming or about to have a nightmare .or there was one with an engine fire maybe that's a better one