Chevy 6.5 turbo diesel express van I won on GovDeals might have a problem

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

The starter bolt broke because of what you were trying...bumping the starter. The first thing to do is pull all the injectors and see if it turns by hand. If so, that's good. If not, that's bad. If it's bad, what you do with it is up to you of course, but those engines are weak in every place they need to be strong. If you can think of it, it can happen to one of those...broken cranks, broken head bolts, cracked blocks, broken harmonic balancers, broken flex plates, broken starter bolts...the key word in every area is "broken"...not worn out...broken. They will overheat even when the cooling system is in good condition. I HOPE that will run but don't beat yourself up if it's a lost cause.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yeah, I'm hoping it's not locked up, but not counting on it. With only 29k miles maybe a flexplate? We will see as soon as it drys up

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Look on the frame rail behind the driver seat location...you should find the second battery there. be forewarned though....if you try to force it to spin with two good batteries you will break the starter and possibly part of the block right off of it.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Thanks for the info! I'm going to pull it apart once things dry up.

[@frankdenardo8684]

The lights on the van has daytime running lights which is common on General Motors cars and trucks. Since this van is diesel powered. Those engines require 2 batteries. When one battery goes bad, they have to be replaced in pairs. This type of van was actually used by the United States Air Force. It has the special dark blue color and looks like a van I saw when I landed in Toronto Airport.

[@flatbrokegarage]

You right. It is an airforce van. According to other comments it has a hidden battery on the frame under the driver's seat. I'm going to look today

[@timb3925]

We had a mini school bus with that same cab set up. We had issues replaced the battery still wouldn't start. New battery went bad almost right away. We started tracking the cables thinking something was wrong with them. We found a junction with a second battery cable coming off of it. We traced that and found a second battery hid in a box along the frame under the bus. The battery was so bad it had ruptured and ruined the cables. We had to replace that battery, the cables to that battery, and then replace the battery we had just replaced because the dead short caused by the second battery ruined it. It might be worth investigating to see if you have some kind of hidden second battery on that.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Thanks! Great info. I'll have to look some more. I need it to dry up a bit. That would make sense

[@snoopysrc]

​@flatbrokegarage you gained a new sub

[@flatbrokegarage]

@@snoopysrc thanks! I do appreciate it.

[@ohioyodertoter6827]

I have a 98 express ex sheriff transport with the 6.5 turbo diesel the spare battery for it is on the frame side under the drivers seat

[@DependableAutoTruck]

i think you should put a socket on end of crankshaft front pulley and see if the motor turns simple and easy

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yep, that's my next plan. Unfortunately, I dropped the van about 10 miles from my shop, so once this rain lets up a bit, I'll be back out there

[@LarryDeSilva64]

On my 1952 U.S, Army Dodge power wagon 3/4 T. M37 cargo carrier I have a 24 volt system in it run 2 truck batteries of 880 Cold cranking amps. It's not a diesel though but that does sound like the starter is getting hung up. Thanks for the video.

[@flatbrokegarage]

I understand I had a 1951 M37. Mine was 24 volt from the factory I converted it to 12 volt. It was an awesome truck. I have a video on the channel of it. The truck was just so slow around here

[@dcdanger6151]

Like others have suggested try turning engine over by hand to see if it's locked up. Please avoid starting fluid unless you disable the glow plugs or you can blow the intake off and stain your shorts at the same time .

[@flatbrokegarage]

😆 will do! It only turns about 20 degrees by hand. Think the crank may be broken.

[@dcdanger6151]

@@flatbrokegarage that's too bad, maybe do a swap with a used gas engine

[@brianhayes7618]

Get a new gear reduction starter in it and pray. With such low mileage its hard to believe that the engine is toast. Also clean up the battery ground to the body making sure you have a healthy ground. Good luck my friend hope it ends up being a affordable fix especially when you're flat broke

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'm still holding on to an easy fix. Once it drys up I'm getting back under there

[@tturtle1659]

People already made some good comments so all I'd say is perhaps get some one to turn the engine on the crankshaft pulley 360° while you're watching the flex plate, if anything it'll tell you whether there's something else blocking the engine - before you hit full power on that starter.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yeah, I'm going to pull the starter and flexplate cover, I have a wrench for the flexplate and try to spin it over.

[@christopherclance475]

I bought a Ford F-150 Shortbed toolbody on govdeals. Said engine was bad and didn’t run. Think I gave $1,200. Got it home and put a battery in it checked fluids and bam was running and driving. Also got a Titan Industrial 8500 watt generator for $50 same story. I love govdeals!

[@flatbrokegarage]

I agree, I've done great on there most of the time

[@allstylinone5122]

Lock washers would have been good, I hope you aquire the bracket. For sure. 👍

[@flatbrokegarage]

I've ordered ARP starter bolts along with the bracket.

[@neolithicnobody8184]

I like GovDeals, I've bought several vehicles from them over the last 10 years. One still sits in my driveway, my 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Some of the vehicles needed work, but others ran just fine. Hopefully yours is still an easy fix. Good luck!! 👍

[@flatbrokegarage]

Thanks! I'm really hoping it's not an engine. Fingers crossed

[@TorquePowerVideo]

Man I was really hoping it was gonna be that starter! Hopefully it's something else other than the bottom end! And I spied a white Benz in the background. My favorite body style!

[@flatbrokegarage]

I was definitely hoping for the same thing. Now my last hope is the flexplate. That Benz is for sale

[@ghettsumm7949]

That tanning bed in the back is pretty cool, see if you can get them to throw it in for free! LoL

[@flatbrokegarage]

😆 oh no.... Definitely don't need that. Then I'd have to fix it 😆

[@Maxdekriek]

cant wait to see the next episode!!! greetsz from friesland/holland...max...

[@flatbrokegarage]

I hope to have something in a week or so. Thanks for watching!

[@achecase]

fun! Detect away. those headlights dimmed out whenever you went to start.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Actually found a second battery under the truck. That should help a bit.

[@barberjeff67]

Probably the flex plate. Cool rig , though. You could use the tanning bed and charge for a tanning session to help pay for repairs!

[@flatbrokegarage]

😆 I'm truly hoping for the flexplate. We will see.

[@barberjeff67]

@@flatbrokegarage 🤞

[@renchjeep]

Definitely should have 2 batteries. Look at your volt gauge on the dash with the key "on", it looks super low. That battery cable looks like it has corrosion down inside the insulation as well. You DO need those special knurled starter bolts, too. Find the other battery, replace both, and you might have to replace the cables as well. Oh, and get the proper starter bolts! Good luck, and give us an update!

[@flatbrokegarage]

Well... bad news. Engine only turns over 20 degrees by hand. Looks bad unfortunately

[@renchjeep]

@@flatbrokegarage Aw, man. That sucks!

[@bigbill709]

Good job on the broken bolt

[@flatbrokegarage]

Total win! I was so happy when that came out.

[@bigbill709]

Bench test the starter when you pull if off the engine.

[@korosys]

My 3/4 gmc of that year you can push the parking brake down one click to shut off the day time lights

[@flatbrokegarage]

Oh yeah! I forgot about that trick. Thanks, I'll definitely try that when I get back over there

[@robertsieber8374]

I'd get regular starter bolts first. GMs generally have the knurled bolts to help locate the starter and keep it from shifting around since the knurls help the bolts fit tighter in the bolt holes, or at least that has been my experience. I would think it would have 2 batteries too! Hope you get it going!

[@flatbrokegarage]

I ordered ARP starter bolts, and I actually found a second battery under the van. That should help. Thanks for watching!

[@robertsieber8374]

@flatbrokegarage Welcome! Always seems like I can relate to most of your content.

[@bigbill709]

The old left hand drill bit thingee

[@flatbrokegarage]

The best

[@josephgilliam9396]

Make sure it’s not got cylinders full and hydrolocked.

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'll definitely check that

[@easternhotrodder]

That easy out is cool. I haven’t used one yet, but I want to get one now. Hope it’s something fairly simple and cheap.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Harbor Fright $9.00 for a set of 4 different sizes

[@easternhotrodder]

Nice, and there's one close in Blue Ridge now.

[@attemptedauto]

Weird noise. Its not the flex plate sound Ive heard before. Cant wait to see what you find. Nice rig!

[@flatbrokegarage]

I wish it was a sound you heard before 😆 we will see

[@kdog7617]

I have a great idea use it for a tool shed it’s shot

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'm going to have to do something with it soon. Would be a cool shed

[@TonyMancini-js2br]

Every time the key gets turned on and off there probably is a ton of diesel fuel inside the cylinders you have to relieve the pressure in order for it to turn over again

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'm definitely going to try that

[@1coppertop]

Hidden chassis battery and flex plate both are first looks i will agree.

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yep, found the hidden battery, and got to the flexplate, unfortunately not broken.

[@arthurs.hernandez2166]

I would go with a new starter with my experience of working on the 6.5 and with that being said squeaky gets the oil

[@flatbrokegarage]

Looks like I will probably go that route

[@TonyMancini-js2br]

You have to remove the fuel injectors relieve the pressure

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'm definitely going to try that

[@larrymedley7159]

Has second battery under van behind driver seat

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yep, I eventually found it. Thanks

[@jeffreypinder9398]

That starter looks almost new at time stamp 13:30? The battery light was on the dash indicating low voltage? Is that normal on GM vehicles? Is that white Dually for sale by chance?

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yes it is! Extremely ckaen. Just used to pull a horse trailer. Hasvthe V10 and runs perfectly. Brakes are sticking a bit according to the owner. You can contact [e-mail] he can help you out

[@bigbill709]

Pull the starter off inspect the flywheel and go from there.

[@flatbrokegarage]

When I had the starter out I did a quick visual and looked okay, but could be cracked up around the center. Fingers crossed

[@bigbill709]

Not even broke in yet

[@flatbrokegarage]

I know, right? Did you see how clean it was underneath? Still looks new. I hope it's something simple. Thanks for watching!

[@brentlane4877]

I am interested in the f250 if you don't buy it. Where could a person go look at it. And I like your videos new to yours

[@flatbrokegarage]

What f250? The white one is a Dodge in the video

[@jamesmckoy8052]

The problem with government vehicles in any sector is they only have 30k miles but they've idled their whole life

[@flatbrokegarage]

That is extremely true. This was an airforce van and very well could have sat and idled 20 years. Very clean, but doesn't mean much. Thanks for watching!

[@stevenroberts2951]

Why didn't you hook the starter up to a battery and see if it turns freely while you had it out

[@flatbrokegarage]

We actually did, I just didn't film it. I miss a lot 😆

[@medinafrancisco12]

What are these categorized as? I know there Chevy Express 3500 or G35. But is there a special classification for them with that box?

[@flatbrokegarage]

These trucks were made for the air force, I had never seen one before, that's why I bid on it. I'm not sure what they called them. They were some kind of communication van

[@medinafrancisco12]

I have one, it's blue and it has windows on the sides of the box. Has 94,000 miles, just installed the PDM location kit... Were you able to get your started?

[@flatbrokegarage]

@medinafrancisco12 there is a follow up video on the channel. Turns out the all the cylinders were full of sludge. It was hydro-locked. I pulled the engine out and didn't want to continue with it.after I noticed it didn't even have air conditioning! Not good in the south, so I traded it for a 68 Mustang. My buddy is doing an LS swap

[@scottpalmer3156]

I think it needs second battery, might be hidden!

[@flatbrokegarage]

It was! Thanks to some earlier comments, I found it under the cab.

[@pstreetgarage7304]

That easy out is amazing

[@flatbrokegarage]

Boy, you got that right. Money well spent

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Throw a starter at it and see what happens

[@flatbrokegarage]

Yep, I'm going to pull it back out along with the cover for the flexplate. Check everything out

[@bigbill709]

You need to get the right starter bolts as well.

[@flatbrokegarage]

I ordered ARP starter bolts and the bracket for the starter.

[@tannerlawson1721]

Dammit sorry there bud I was still entertainend I hope u continue to work on it or take the engine put I pit it into something this the teenager in me 😂

[@flatbrokegarage]

It should be a fun project. I'm looking forward to it.

[@goGDOGod]

Tbh if you and your friends, plus the internet can't tell what's happening it's then just better to pull it apart and find out, make a video and let us know

[@flatbrokegarage]

I did, I traded it for a Mustang, and my friend pulled it apart. It's in my videos.

[@TonyMancini-js2br]

It's probably vapor lock

[@flatbrokegarage]

I'm going to look at that, thanks!

[@TonyMancini-js2br]

It's got vapor lock too much diesel fuel in the cylinders

[@flatbrokegarage]

Someone else mentioned that. I might pull the injectors and try to spin it