Need Help!!!! Water in Engine!!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Need Help!!!! Water in Engine!!
1999 C5 went through a flooded intersection (aprox 1.5 ft depth). Changed the plugs and discovered water. Getting a lot of advise but nothing concrete. This is my daily driver and would like some input from you all. Thanks in advance, JD
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
If so you are good to go and don't worry about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Many times when an engine injests water it will bend a rod or break the block. If it still ran OK after the incident I would pull the plugs and spin it over to force out any remaining water and then do an oil change because if water is in the cylinders it probably ran down to the crankcase. Good Luck
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
i havent actually put the plugs back in and restarted it yet. i was wondering if i should change the oil first even though it looks fine.. the engine hasnt ran since i went thru the water. the engine stalled out and the starter wouldnt turn over until i pulled the plugs to get the water out. i got about a half gallon of water out of the intake when i opened the throttle body
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage AK
i havent actually put the plugs back in and restarted it yet. i was wondering if i should change the oil first even though it looks fine.. the engine hasnt ran since i went thru the water. the engine stalled out and the starter wouldnt turn over until i pulled the plugs to get the water out. i got about a half gallon of water out of the intake when i opened the throttle body
I would not try starting it until you opened it up to see what else went wrong.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: New Bern NC
We had this happen to a customers Lexus RX 330
we pulled all the plugs turned the motor over several times by bumping the key. It shot water about 20 feet in the air hitting the roof!!!!
we then changed the oil twice after puting in the new plugs
No problems at all!!!!
I think problems come about when people try and start the engine after injesting water without removing the plugs. There is simply no space for all that water to go.
we pulled all the plugs turned the motor over several times by bumping the key. It shot water about 20 feet in the air hitting the roof!!!!
we then changed the oil twice after puting in the new plugs
No problems at all!!!!
I think problems come about when people try and start the engine after injesting water without removing the plugs. There is simply no space for all that water to go.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
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From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
YOu will get good responses here, I would wait it out a bit for additional info. I wish I knew more to help, but right now patience and a good engine guy are what you need. GL
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
If it were me, I'd remove all the plugs and turn it over by hand to make sure it feels and sounds normal. Then use the starter to bump it over a bit before replacing the spark plugs and seeing if it will fire. If it fires and runs, change the oil and count your lucky stars.
After drying everything out completely, of course.
Good luck.
After drying everything out completely, of course.
Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I agree. Turn the engine over by hand several times with the plugs out. If it doesn't jam in any way, then use the starter motor to turn it over without the plugs. If you detect no lugging or jamming up, put the plugs back in and give it a try.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
We had this happen to a customers Lexus RX 330
we pulled all the plugs turned the motor over several times by bumping the key. It shot water about 20 feet in the air hitting the roof!!!!
we then changed the oil twice after puting in the new plugs
No problems at all!!!!
I think problems come about when people try and start the engine after injesting water without removing the plugs. There is simply no space for all that water to go.
we pulled all the plugs turned the motor over several times by bumping the key. It shot water about 20 feet in the air hitting the roof!!!!
we then changed the oil twice after puting in the new plugs
No problems at all!!!!
I think problems come about when people try and start the engine after injesting water without removing the plugs. There is simply no space for all that water to go.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Port Arthur Texas
I'd say not that big of a deal. I once drove my Wrangler through 4ft of water until the engine shut off b/c it was sucking in straight water. I pulled the plugs, cranked it over so it would spray all the water over. Oil change, crank it over without starting, then another oil change. Did this 4 times. Just keep checking the oil, once the milkiness is gone you know the water is gone. After that fire the engine up and let it idle. You can also pour some seaform in the crank case to help displace any water.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I'd say not that big of a deal. I once drove my Wrangler through 4ft of water until the engine shut off b/c it was sucking in straight water. I pulled the plugs, cranked it over so it would spray all the water over. Oil change, crank it over without starting, then another oil change. Did this 4 times. Just keep checking the oil, once the milkiness is gone you know the water is gone. After that fire the engine up and let it idle. You can also pour some seaform in the crank case to help displace any water.
It can easily be a big deal. Water does not compress, so when an engine gulps in a big enough shot of water into its cylinders something has to give on the compression stroke. It's typically the connecting rod that gives it up.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Jesup GA
Yeah, hydro-locking an engine is not fun. I just went through this ordeal. To make a long story short, my girlfriend didn't realize how deep the water was and by the time she seen it was to deep it was to late. She said she was just idling through and it did this kind of damage. The car wouldn't turn over so I had it towed home, pulled plugs and water ran out of rear cylinders and opened intake and water came out there also. Arched over the starter and it wouldn't budge, so next we got a pull handle on crank bolt and finally got it to move, but it didn't sound good while spinning over. Removal of starter revealed this nasty hole!!!!
Here is half of the rod.....
I bought a nice motor a few weeks ago and drove the car for the first time yesterday in about 4 months, it sure did feel good!!!! Hope yours is not this way, if it is I hope you have full coverage insurance.
Here is half of the rod.....
I bought a nice motor a few weeks ago and drove the car for the first time yesterday in about 4 months, it sure did feel good!!!! Hope yours is not this way, if it is I hope you have full coverage insurance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Back in my younger stupid days, I drove my Vw Scirocco through an overflowing stream over in England late one night. Yes, I was on a road...lol. It hydrolocked the engine but of course I didn't know it. A very nice British gentleman and his wife came along and towed me to their place. We pulled the plugs and cranked it over. Water blew out in a blast. Dried the plugs and put them in, it fired up. Steamed a lot. I had the oil changed the next day but it was fine. Ovbiously that little engine didn't have the power or torque of a Corvette so busting a rod didn't happen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
I agree, change the oil before you attempt to start it. Turn the motor over by hand, with plugs removed. I would also have the drain plug open on the pan to let any water out.
Once you believe all water is out after turning the motor over, prime the engine to get oil in the top of the motor. I would pull the intake off, check the Knock sensore for standing water. valve covers come off and check the heads for standing water. Basically pul off what you can without having to dig really deep first.
Once you believe all water is out after turning the motor over, prime the engine to get oil in the top of the motor. I would pull the intake off, check the Knock sensore for standing water. valve covers come off and check the heads for standing water. Basically pul off what you can without having to dig really deep first.
