I own a 2001 4x4 f150 4.6l. The truck has always started no indication of any problem. Started truck ran to back of building, shut off truck, unloaded bed (5 minutes) jumped in and now it does not start.

The symptoms - When I turn the key I only get a single beginning of a crank and nothing. It seems like something is stopping it. Kind of a chunk and nothing else. It is not a wimpy little attempt to crank over either. I have done the basics such as verify that it is not the battery or ground (I did notice a little corrosion around battery terminals this is why I need to make sure) The battery seems to have juice (bright headlights, dash light...). I even did run a jump just to make sure, not even a slight difference.

I will check anything kinda of stumped here.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I would like to diagnose a little before going broke at a dealer. I have a good local shop I trust but the tow alone will be $100 to get it home and money is tight.

Thanks in advance.

 

How is the coolant? What does the oil look and smell like on the dipstick? If it's milky looking then there is coolant leaking somewhere.

Could be a coolant leak into one or more of the cylinders and be hydro locked. But I hope not.

Good luck.

 

My suggestion would be to put a breaker bar on the crankshaft and try to turn it over. If unable to turn it over, it is most likely what Jgger said, or even more likely, a stuck open fuel injector. In either case, DO NOT attempt to start it until you have pulled the plugs and determined if it is either of those 2 things or you risk SERIOUS damage to the engine. If it either of those 2, you will know it by what you find on the plugs, coolant or fuel. IF it is a stuck injector, be sure and change the oil after you've replaced the injector. Obviously if it is a blown gasket, you would need to change the oil after replacing the gasket.