Bent pushrod on 1985 (maybe)??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
Bent pushrod on 1985 (maybe)??
Engine got hydrolocked. Finally got it started and it is running smooth. But, I now have a "ratchetting" sound or knocking coming from somewhere -- can't really tell where the sound is coming from. Car is running very smooth -- not misfiring or loping -- just a knocking/ratchetting sound. Any ideas where to look for a solution.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Often a hydrolocked motor can suffer a bent connecting rod, broken piston or ring, cracked or bent crankshaft, cracked head, blown intake gasket and possibly a ruined bearing. I'm sure I left something out. Hopefully yours has none of these.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
Water hydrolocked. Was doing the old-fashioned steam cleaning using a cup of water being sucked in through a vacuum fitting. Accidently allowed the tube to suck in too much water and the engine stopped running. Removed the plugs and very, very little water came from the cylinders but the engine would not initially turn over. After a little while the engine turned over and cranked (with a set of clean plugs installed). Now it runs smooth but has the ratchetting/knocking sound. No sense of power loss, even though I have not driven it. But, the engine sounds strong with no skipping, loping or misfiring. Do not know how to post a video. Will research that soon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
If you post/download a video on youtube then you can link it here with a cut and paste
I've never in my life heard of anyone screw up their motor doing that. It's possible but I'm hoping the best for ya
I've never in my life heard of anyone screw up their motor doing that. It's possible but I'm hoping the best for ya
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
Water hydrolocked. Was doing the old-fashioned steam cleaning using a cup of water being sucked in through a vacuum fitting. Accidently allowed the tube to suck in too much water and the engine stopped running. Removed the plugs and very, very little water came from the cylinders but the engine would not initially turn over. After a little while the engine turned over and cranked (with a set of clean plugs installed). Now it runs smooth but has the ratchetting/knocking sound. No sense of power loss, even though I have not driven it. But, the engine sounds strong with no skipping, loping or misfiring. Do not know how to post a video. Will research that soon.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Water hydrolocked. Was doing the old-fashioned steam cleaning using a cup of water being sucked in through a vacuum fitting. Accidently allowed the tube to suck in too much water and the engine stopped running. Removed the plugs and very, very little water came from the cylinders but the engine would not initially turn over. After a little while the engine turned over and cranked (with a set of clean plugs installed). Now it runs smooth but has the ratchetting/knocking sound. No sense of power loss, even though I have not driven it. But, the engine sounds strong with no skipping, loping or misfiring. Do not know how to post a video. Will research that soon.
How do you monitor how much water goes where and when?
Besides the devastating effect of sudden cooling on certain "light-alloy" metals....
I've always said its more of a "ping" kinda sound but other guys swear its a "dink" sound. Harder to hear when the engine is revved up.
does ANYONE ever stop and consider what the potential consequences are BEFORE they FU their engine? is that always an "after"-thought?
$$$$ mistake
cracked/broken ring at BEST.
or
bent rod
or
broken piston ring gland. <---the good money's on that one.
the engine will continue to run smooth with a cylinder at 80 psi because it is still firing and carrying its weight...its just not going to generate any usable power when a load is applied...that's when it will misfire or you'll 'feel it' more.
They were out of SeaFoam ? or ATF? Wesson oil?
I got to add:
Do not try this at home.....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
It's a wonder we don't hear more about things like this happening...
...How many times have you read on this site about guys using water to clean the cylinders and valves on an engine...This guy probably thought he would try it and the consequences may have been devastating...My suggestion to anyone that may want to try this procedure is , "that it may be a good idea to ask more questions before dumping water into your engine"....I'm just saying.....
....."To the OP"..The only way to tell if you have a bent pushrod is to take them out and roll them on a perfectly smooth/flat surface , like a piece of glass..You will be very lucky if this is the only problem it caused...
....WW
...How many times have you read on this site about guys using water to clean the cylinders and valves on an engine...This guy probably thought he would try it and the consequences may have been devastating...My suggestion to anyone that may want to try this procedure is , "that it may be a good idea to ask more questions before dumping water into your engine"....I'm just saying.........."To the OP"..The only way to tell if you have a bent pushrod is to take them out and roll them on a perfectly smooth/flat surface , like a piece of glass..You will be very lucky if this is the only problem it caused.......WW
Last edited by WW7; Oct 3, 2014 at 09:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
It's a wonder we don't hear more about things like this happening......How many times have you read on this site about guys using water to clean the cylinders and valves on an engine...This guy probably thought he would try it and the consequences may have been devastating...My suggestion to anyone that may want to try this procedure is , "that it may be a good idea to ask more questions before dumping water into your engine"....I'm just saying.........."To the OP"..The only way to tell if you have a bent pushrod is to take them out and roll them on a perfectly smooth surface , like a piece of glass..You will be very lucky if this is the only problem it caused.......WW
...How many times have you read on this site about guys using water to clean the cylinders and valves on an engine...This guy probably thought he would try it and the consequences may have been devastating...My suggestion to anyone that may want to try this procedure is , "that it may be a good idea to ask more questions before dumping water into your engine"....I'm just saying.........."To the OP"..The only way to tell if you have a bent pushrod is to take them out and roll them on a perfectly smooth surface , like a piece of glass..You will be very lucky if this is the only problem it caused.......WWPeople should all out ban this procedure for good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,894
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
just a thought it doesn't sound like he got tons of water into the engine. I have seen corvettes that were driven into deep water fully hydro locked pulled plugs and they lived (barely) also seen many corkscrewed #1 & 2 rods, but I wonder if a large piece of carbon is rattling around in the head over the valves if it was by the pistons it would be beaten apart after awhile. if it was by the pistons it could jam the pistons until it crumbles, leaving lots of rattling bits.
Last edited by s carter; Oct 3, 2014 at 07:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
I don't think you hydrolocked it. I think all you did was cause a few misfires that caused it to stall.
I think your best bet to resolving this is to post a video so people can help you better.
Hope everything works out for you!
I think your best bet to resolving this is to post a video so people can help you better.
Hope everything works out for you!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
I checked with a reputable repair shop today and was advised to check the pushrods. I did and they were OK. So, I have resolved myself to the fact that the engine is likely gone. So, my decision now is if I will replace or rebuild the engine or sell the car for parts. The car in running condition is only worth about $3500.00. A rebuild or replacement could cost near that if done by a reputable repair facility. Now, I have to think through this and decide if putting that much money on an old car makes sense. Anyway, if something happens and a fix is found, I will post for all to read. Also, if I get a video going, I will post that as well.
Last edited by J H; Oct 3, 2014 at 08:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Thanks for all the replies. The interesting thing about this mishap is that the engine ingested less than 1 cup of water. It then made a rattling sound and stopped running.
I checked with a reputable repair shop today and was advised to check the pushrods. I did and they were OK. So, I have resolved myself to the fact that the engine is likely gone. So, my decision now is if I will replace or rebuild the engine or sell the car for parts. The car in running condition is only worth about $3500.00. A rebuild or replacement could cost near that if done by a reputable repair facility. Now, I have to think through this and decide if putting that much money on an old car makes sense. Anyway, if something happens and a fix is found, I will post for all to read.
I checked with a reputable repair shop today and was advised to check the pushrods. I did and they were OK. So, I have resolved myself to the fact that the engine is likely gone. So, my decision now is if I will replace or rebuild the engine or sell the car for parts. The car in running condition is only worth about $3500.00. A rebuild or replacement could cost near that if done by a reputable repair facility. Now, I have to think through this and decide if putting that much money on an old car makes sense. Anyway, if something happens and a fix is found, I will post for all to read.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,894
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
after thought while you have the plugs out put a extension on a air nozzle and blow out the cylinders. see if stuff comes out
Last edited by s carter; Oct 3, 2014 at 08:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I have to agree with Daniel, one cup of water isn't enough to hydrolock and engine..The motor would pump this amount through so fast it wouldn't have a chance to hydrolock..I know when using a product like Seafoam which is made for this same purpose, they say on the can to raise your rpms to about 2000 so there's no chance for the motor to stall when dumping it in.....WW
Last edited by WW7; Oct 3, 2014 at 09:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
I agree with Daniel don't do a rite off yet a cup of water spread over 8 cylinders I don't think will kill a L98 I truly feel you got what you were looking for, To cleanout the top end and cleanup the combustion chambers, you say its running smooth so I guess parts are not fighting for supremacy. do as Daniel said while you have the plugs out beg, barrow or rent a bore scope look inside plug holes. you can even take the tubes off and look from the top. I think you would feel like crap if you sold it to a Yahoo down the block and he finds it was only a bit of carbon. or junk down by the Puff converters.
after thought while you have the plugs out put a extension on a air nozzle and blow out the cylinders. see if stuff comes out
after thought while you have the plugs out put a extension on a air nozzle and blow out the cylinders. see if stuff comes out
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I agree w/others who said to post a vid.
.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Oct 3, 2014 at 09:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
..WW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Ya, us old timers have been doing it before most of you were born. The water when injected into the combustion chambers on a running engine causes steam and steam causes high pressure that steam cleans the motor. It does a good job. Also real good for carb jetting because you can make a change then squirt some water down and it cleans the plugs nicely.