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Yesterday I got caught in a flash flood that resulted in my motor sucking up water. Working with a tech at a dealer we pulled the intake, plugs and purged the motor of water. Luckily I didn't actually hydro lock the motor. We then did a compression check and all 8 were about 150+ and pumping up to 200 on the 4th rotation. The motor sounded tight and smooth. We then drained the oil and did two flushes before putting in full syn oil. After a set of new plugs and cleaning the MAF she runs just as good as ever and sounds like a normal LS3. She still rips like she did when I first drove her.
After we drained the first oil there was about 16 FL OZ of water in the crankcase. Now I’m being super paranoid but is there a possibility that when cranking the motor over with the plugs out and no load on the motor with the water making its way through the bearing could it have hurt them or at least taken some life out of them? I plan on drive this car for many years, so I just want a warm and fuzzy that everything will be fine
I’m very lucky that I didn't bend anything. The previous owner cut the radiator shroud and that's what ****ed me. DON'T DRIVE IN MORE THEN 1-2 inch's of water, 3 Inches got me.
After we drained the first oil there was about 16 FL OZ of water in the crankcase. Now I’m being super paranoid but is there a possibility that when cranking the motor over with the plugs out and no load on the motor with the water making its way through the bearing could it have hurt them or at least taken some life out of them?
I would think you should be okay, because while cleaning engine,bearing & motor were cold. No heat & little friction to worry about. I would still change oil a little more often for awhile, just to keep close eye on it. Worst case: overhaul engine now or later. Cost will be about the same. Just an old farmboys opinion.
I agree with changing oil and filter since it is cheap insurance.
One more thing to consider. Get the engine warmed up really good and see if the rest of the water will boil off. My engine oil usually gets up to 212 F while I'm cruising down the highway.
The dealership drained the oil, ran the motor with bulk oil and a new filter, drain more bulk oil, ran the motor again. Then put a new filter and mobil 1 syn.
Explain how you got water in the crankcase from taking water in the intake. There is no direct connection between the sealed crankcase and the intake.
All I can tell you is It was in my intake manifold and my crankcase. Water is alot thinner than oil so maybe some of it blew by the ring when I attempted to start it or some leaked from the intake manifold to the pistons and slowly seeped past it. I honestly don't know.
I got by easy and learned the lesson the easy way. I knew better then to start it after it shut
off, I just didn't really believe that I sucked up water.
If you have comprehensive insurance on your Vette, you should be able to make a claim with your insurance company. Of course, it may not be your worthwhile depending on your cost and the deductible.