Water in engine, how?

[ssms5411]

Didn't have any time to take pics. Will do it tomorrow since i start it up once a week so the battery stays good.

[LETZRIDE]

I was looking at the LS1 tonight and trying to brainstorm...

My initial thoughts are it can't be coming in through any of the cylinders- that would cause you to hyrdolock when you start the engine with that much water in the cylinders. Which means it has to be going directly into your oil somewhere.

You said the car is running like crap right? and that there was something going on with your headstuds? Is it possible whoever touched your car last didn't install the heads correctly and they aren't sitting flat/warped? Short of that, the only place I can see water leaking in from is somewhere at the back of the engine where it could drain down the cowl and in...can't leak in through the front of the motor...even with the scoop, the angle of the car I don't think would allow water to get in that way.

Remind me again with the balance shafts - if you take them out isn't there a hole in the back of the motor you need to plug? Did you remove yours? has the plug possibly come loose?

Have you tried taking it out on a sunny dry day and turning the hose on the car with the hood closed...spray 1/4 of the hood at a time / front to back...open the hood after each section is sprayed to try and see what part of the motor is wet, or where water is dripping in from? that would likely give you a better idea of the vicinity to look?

For you to get so much water in on a single rainfall- it sounds like something is wide open.

[ssms5411]

The heads are good , had a good mechanic do them, car was running like crap, until i fixed thr icm harness, now it runs good except for thr coolant elbow leaking. I washed it about a month ago , trying not to spray the cowl and no water in the oil. Ill wash it again and do what you said and check the engine over. I think its going down past the injectors but will see. I still have the balanced shaft so its not that. I just have a carport (no garage) so i just keep it covered with the car cover , only problem is the wind is bad where i live so the car cover comes off sometimes. Thanks for looking at yours and giving me ideas.

[ssms5411]

Looked at it today and the upper intake has small leaves all over and a sign that it has been wet ( where you get white build up) so im thinking its the injectors or somewhere on top. So i ordered a gtp engine cover which ill try to modify to fit my 3.8. It can only help at this point.lol

[LETZRIDE]

Steve and Engine cover won't fix your problem only mask it. You need to find where that water is getting in and fix the car before you end up with irreversible long term damage that costs you your build. It isn't hard to pull the injectors - give them a pull and take a look at the O-rings. A parts store usually has replacement o-rings

[ssms5411]

Yeah that's true Mike, was looking for a easy way out. Maybe ill wait a bit then check it out. Im still going to see if i can get the cover to fit since i ordered it already, only $25 shipped so im not out that much.