I was diverted in a good rain here a few months ago only to find myself facing a lot of water flowing at low intersection. No way was I going to drive through that. The OP's puddle must have been quite some puddle to kill the engine! Years ago, I learned this lesson with a VW Scirocco over in England. I drove into an overflowing creek covering the road I was on and it sucked up water. I had to push it out, remove and dry the plugs, cranked it over to get the water out, restart and steam like mad for the next hour.

 

In my experience, it isn't the initial water sucking that causes detrimental damage, it usually dies quick enough to clean it out and have no problems. It's when the person tries to restart it right after that causes the catastrophic damage. Not always mind you, but usually. Keep that in mind if you ever drive into water and it dies, DO NOT hit the key to start it. Get it towed somewhere, pull the plugs and get the water out of it before you ever try to start it.

 

so they pay for a new engine even though you have an aftermarket intake knowing that with the stock airbox it wouldn't have happened? hopefully that's true since I have a vararam

 

Thanks for all the responses guys, haven't been on here the last couple days. Good news is the Insurance is covering the loss and even better I have a zero deductable on my comprehensive coverage so I won't have to come out of pocket. I've been researching my engine replacement options for the last few days and have succeeded in confusing myself to the point that I have no idea which way I want to go. The motor has a Procharger D1 on it so I'm looking to go forged so I can turn up the boost but I'm torn between a stock displacement LS6 with forged internals or going to an LS2 or LS3. It really depends on how much the insurance adjuster is gonna write the estimate for and what I can work out with the shop that the car is going to. I have $10,000 worth of extra coverage for the mods on the car in my policy so rebuilding the blower should be part of it.
Intake was nothing special, car has an A&A Procharger kit on it and the cone filter doesn't sit terribly low in front of the radiator. I couldn't see how deep the water was until after I was already rolling through it and the motor let go 200 feet later idling at a red light. No warning, just clack clack, boom and it locked up. Smoke came into the interior and I looked under the car and oil was everywhere and I knew what happened. Didn't try to crank the car again as I knew it was pointless, pushed it to a parking lot and it was picked up today.
Geico has been exceptional with their response and customer service, I have no complaints at all with them and was surprised that they were even covering the loss at all. We'll have to see what the adjuster says and what he writes up though....I'll update this more when I hear from the shop and the adjuster. Meanwhile, keep the suggestions coming for short and long block combos. A 402 LS2 is awfully tempting, especially with 12 or 14 pounds of boost, but I AM on an enlisted man's budget so it's all up to how much I get from the insurance...
Rain

 

I had this happen to my old Mustang while I was in Lubbock. After having the insurance company have the Ford dealer replace the engine I would tell anyone to just opt for the cash option. The Ford dealer got a used 5.0 from some junkyard and just slapped it in. It ran 20-30 degrees hotter and burned a ton of oil compared to the original motor. Also had no car for over a month.

 

Well, here is a short follow up. Geico is trying to stick me with a USED engine with 30,000 miles on it and the adjuster says I can't get a new motor because my policy doesn't allow for it. I say he is full of **** but I need to figure out how to tell him that and get what I want. I've never done a claim concerning a motor before, only body work. They always try to push aftermarket parts to save them money...I have always insisted on genuine factory parts and they always have reluctantly agreed after some back and forth. This guy doesn't seem like he's gonna budge based on my brief conversation with him. Any advice? What are my rights when it comes to replacement parts? I'm stressing over this big time. Any help would be appreciated.
Rain

 

If that is his hard line,take the check and then buy a crate engine with a warranty!You will have to pay the difference but then you have a new engine.

 

I would start by reading your policy in detail to see what you are entitled to.

 

Not so sure it is his "Hard line" or not yet, I only had a chance to talk to him briefly this morning. I know that they ALWAYS try to save as much money as possible with their initial estimate. Just from some of the responses to this thread, it seems that many in a similar situation have gotten a completely new long block on their claim and if there is a way to fight for that amount of money I want to at least try. He's quting $2500 for the used motor and I told him I wanted a new long block. He said well that would probably total the vehicle. I laughed and told him a $5400 motor would NOT total a 03 Z06. That's when I got off the phone and told him I'd call back later. I have 10 grand in coverage on my policy for mods done to the car is what's frustrating. I'll have to do some more research to see what my legal rights are regarding the new verses old motor.

 

no sense doing an LS1/2 when you can get much more power forma built up LS3 engine. You might even want to just find a parted out used one cheap if you are on a budget. I drive in rain so went witha Honker for that exact reason. heard too many hydro stories with vararams

 

Unless your policy says otherwise, they only have to put the car back into the condition that it was in. That means if you have 30k on the clock, they can give you a motor w/30k on the clock as a replacement.

I would do your best to fight it though because you don't know what kind of shape that 30k motor is in. That would be your best argument. Are they going to guarantee the "used" motor?

 

Just to be clear, I DO NOT have a vararam, car is supercharged....They say the motor will be warranteed but I'm still not comfortable with a used one for the exact reason chaase mentioned, I have no idea what a used motor has been through. I just want a fair estimate and if I end up a lil out of pocket so beit, just tryin to limit my cash outlay and get the most for my buck.

 

hmmm keeping an eye on this and if anyone from Geico is also monitoring you better be careful how you treat the OP.

You stick it to him here, trust me your name is going to be remembered....yeh as to who "NOT TO GO WITH!"

 

They both meant LS9.

And if the ins co gives you ANY trouble at all, then call a lawyer. You'll end up with a new engine, a new car, and a few $$$ to spare.

 

I had the same thing happen to me and my insurance company, safco ins put a new motor in my car. Geico must need the money to do more comericals with lol.

The total bill was around 9k. Not sure why Geico is saying only used motor.

Just letting you know what happen with my ins company doing the right thing.


Good luck!

 

I remember years ago I got some hurricane damage on my old MR2. The insurance company tried to low-ball the estimate, citing that the car had "used paint on it."

Dumbfounded, but still a smart azz to the end, I asked them to refer me to a body shop that could re-spray with used paint. They said,"there isn't any used paint."

Exactly.

Sorry, not totally on topic but it cracks me up.

 

First, good luck getting your settlement. Second, once this is over, check into USAA. You are obviously in the military, so you should be able to get them. Over 30 years, I have never had them try and screw me on a claim, including one flooding (luckily no engine damage, just interior.)

 

+ a million on that. I have them for banking, auto/home insurance, loans, credit card. Always top notch.

 

USAA FTW

 

Ditto on USAA.
The only frustrating experience I had with them was when my Valentine 1 radar detector was stolen out of my car, which was parked in my garage at the time. Neither my car insurance nor my house insurance would cover it. That seemed like a crock to me. I've never bought another radar detector again.