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Possible Hydrolock??


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logovna
Novice

Oct 30, 2012, 11:48 AM

Post #1 of 10 (2610 views)
  post locked   post icon Possible Hydrolock??  

I wanted to petition CarJunky before attempting to fix this issue. Someone gave me some pointers and I just want to ask if they are good pointers before I break the damn thing open.

I own a 2002 Mitsu Eclipse GS (4-cyl 2.0) w/105k mi. I ran my car through standing water, about 6-8 inches. The car has an aftermarket cold-air intake that sits a couple inches higher. Of course, my immediate guess is hydrolock, which would be the first time I've ever encountered such a thing.

I was idling through the standing water just fine when some jackass passed me (travelling in the same direction), swelling the water another 3-4 inches or so. My engine, which was idle-rev at the time didn't seize immediately, it kind of bogged down to nothing in the span of 2-3 seconds. There weren't any serious clanks/pings/knocks that I could hear. Tried to turn engine twice after stalling and it was locked up, completely. Had the car towed home and it's sitting in the bay now.



Here's what I was going to do:

Remove spark plugs to check for water in the combustion chamber.
Sparkless-crank several times to push water out of combustion chambers.
Let car sit for a while to let remaining water evaporate.
Change oil/filter.
Install new plugs.



I was advised by someone else not to touch the car. That person suggested I have it towed to a mechanic for a flush so as not to risk damaging any of the valves/rods/etc. I would normally agree with this. However, I was told by someone a little more qualified that if all the engine did was stall from idle, then it might be salvageable, provided I can push the remaining water out and change the oil before trying to start it again.

If I'm missing any steps or if you can suggest a different approach, then please respond! This is my A-B, but I'm broke and tired, so I'd rather not do a crate swap at the given moment. Of course, if I have to.........then it's time to dust off the ol' shadetree Wink


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 30, 2012, 12:59 PM

Post #2 of 10 (2581 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

Check oil level right now. Is it too high on dipstick? If so not so good.

If just that is OK pull out plugs and crank it manually by crank bolt but don't force it. If water comes out you know it sucked up water but damage is still unknown. If it will not turn that way there's trouble. Not sure if you'll make it any worse cranking by key now plugs still out. If it cranks just a few turns I guess I'd try a basic compression check then if OK proceed.

Check the oil removed for water, any and all other fluid levels that could be involved also. You decide to give it a go or not based on observations and it may not run even if no physical damage or might but have things damaged by shock of water on hot parts?

Hey - water on roads can catch people by surprise. Not driving in that at all is up to you. A cold air intake that was never in any design was a bad idea and may have cost you terribly.

You don't have to "petition" anyone. Being there would beat any web suggestions,

T



logovna
Novice

Oct 30, 2012, 1:19 PM

Post #3 of 10 (2576 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

Thanks, Tom!

I really appreciate your suggestions. I will keep this thread updated with the outcome of my toiling.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Oct 30, 2012, 5:32 PM

Post #4 of 10 (2567 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

If your engine escaped unharmed call yourself lucky. Be sure to also make sure that the trans isn't contaminated with water. If water got on the breather vent you might have that to worry about and would want to fix it before driving it to avoid damage.

Please don't drive a small car into standing water anymore. Most who do don't come out well.


logovna
Novice

Oct 31, 2012, 5:50 AM

Post #5 of 10 (2554 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

You're right, but unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. It was either travel through the water or sleep in my car and go to work with no clean clothes/shower. Otherwise, I would suggest not driving through it either. If anything, I should have unbolted the sleeve for the cold air intake and then passed through, but I forgot I had one, I guess lol


(This post was edited by logovna on Oct 31, 2012, 5:54 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 31, 2012, 6:13 AM

Post #6 of 10 (2550 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  


Quote
I didn't have a choice. It was either travel through the water or sleep in my car and go to work with no clean clothes/shower.


OH, that makes all kinds of sense....... That could have been a $3000 decision but I guess the clothes were more important.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



logovna
Novice

Oct 31, 2012, 6:26 AM

Post #7 of 10 (2546 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

You're right. My uniforms were all at home and you're an a-hole. God forbid I show up at work and get my $1100 suit covered in mud instead of my uniform. When it all came down to it, I guess you're right, it was a costly risk, but seriously, I could risk losing my POS car or my job. I chose my car, because it's easier replaced than a good-paying job in this economy. Besides, insurance paid for everything including a tow and a rental for two weeks while I get the car fixed. You should find a place that's a bit more accepting of your negligence, Hammer Time. Might I suggest the 80's?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 31, 2012, 6:29 AM

Post #8 of 10 (2541 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  


Quote
You should find a place that's a bit more accepting of your negligence, Hammer Time. Might I suggest the 80's?


What's that supposed to mean?

You make the dumb move and you try to make it about me?

Be very careful how you respond.........



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



logovna
Novice

Oct 31, 2012, 6:40 AM

Post #9 of 10 (2536 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

I came here for help, not to get sh*t from you. If you can prove that your post was helpful, then trust me I'm all ears. I guess I could have missed something. And be careful? Look at my post count, dude. If you're not going to help me out like I asked (nicely, I might add), then I promise I won't give a crap about you or your post.

This thread was fine until you showed up with you "ur so dumb" comment. That being said, if you don't have anything constructive to add to the conversation, then don't contribute. You're a FORUM MODERATOR, for Christ's sake, you should know this :/ Just because your post count is high and someone gave you the authority to push buttons on a two-bit forum doesn't give you the right to judge people you don't even know.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 31, 2012, 10:03 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2521 views)
  post locked   Re: Possible Hydrolock??  

If you want to do stupid things and then come here asking for help, then you're going to get called on it. I'm not the one that drove my car in a flood. You came here for advice. My advice is, don't drive your car under water stupid.......



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Oct 31, 2012, 10:03 AM)






 
 
 






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