I thought I had heard/read that it is not a good idea to push-start our trucks (5-sp, of course). Any truth to this? I've never had the need, just wondering if it is OK if I ever have to.

Thanks . . .

 

yes its ok.

 

It puts a lot of shock on the lower end of the engine. You shouldn't do it regularly, but in the case of your starter dying or something and you're needing to get home, it's alright.

 

yeh lol pretty hard on the motor to do it. kinda hard on the clutch to once it cranks over

 

well yea, what they said, but if you have a dead bat, and you have no other way, just do it. it cant be any worse than what some idiots do, redline and dump the clutch

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not too worried about loads on the engine during a push-start, but will the computer care that the engine is being started with the key not in the start position?

 

Nope not at all. I've had to do it on occasion with my ranger. Had electrical issues/starter. Its better than trying to wait and pay for a tow truck.

 

Push start is just like a down shift....

 

picture this....I get my 6" lift put in. The very next day am psyched so I drive out to pick up one of those wooden playscapes with swings/house/slide for my kid. Its got 4 boxes and weighs about 900 pounds in total. I load up my truck. Turn the key....nothing.
I grab my jumpers and have someone give me a jump. Nothing. Completely dead.
It gets worse- while Im crawling around like a monkey trying to figure out whats up and I notice we are about to get hit with a mother of a thunderstorm. Its getting windy and black as hell. My two year old is crying. I need to get home somehow.

Last resort- put the truck in 2nd, pushed in the clutch, then popped it. Started instantly, with absolutely no laboring. I dont think it stressed anything too badly. (once home I found that the solenoid terminal connector had broken- easy fix)

 

Conversely, here is what I had to do.........

Slave cylinder blew in my driveway and pissed out all the fluid. I DROVE it across town to the garage to get it fixed - I'm too cheap to pay $80 for a tow.

How? Simple - step on the nonexistent clutch to bypass the starter interlock, put it in 1st, and hit the key. It starts, you drive it, matching RPM's to shift. Stop sign or red light? No problem - slip it in neutral, stop, turn the key off, put it in 1st, hit key to get going again.

Starter still works fine.