problem after driving through water...help!

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

Pull the plugs, charge the battery and crank it over until it cranks freely.
Put new plugs in.
If you didn't have the revs that high when you hit the water you might be ok.
Thats what happened to me, I got caught in some crazy flood on the road, my car was fine.
Having the engine at idle means you are more likely to be ok.
Having the engine a 4-6K rpm means broken parts.

[landj]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

Do just what AZ3.8Camaro and Blldog says. You may have to take the plugs back out after putting them in if more water enters through from the plenum/manifold, so putting a rag over the plug holes may help suck out some more of the water (my own experience with an import 4 banger). Some sort of suction device can come in handy to get the last of the water out. And after you get it started, and take it for a good drive to get it nice and hot to get all the water vapor out of the crankcase. (i'd change the oil again at this point

[slow6]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

i was at idle when i bent my rod from a head gasket leak

[BLLDOGG]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

you can lock a motor at idle.

[slow6]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

you dont know that for sure, my exhuast valve was majorly messed up, but my bike stalled almost instantly. i knew what happened and didnt try to kick it over again. he might be fine, odds are he's not but you never know, unless he can tell us exatcly how much he sucked up, all we're doing is guessing. best of luck to bud.

I wasnt saying I know that that is his problem..
I was just implying that could be the problem

[av6xperience]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

at highest the prm was at maybe 2200 i think. no higher. i knew it was coming and was too late, just couldnt see it till it was too late. rain was sideways and crazy all over the place. strange thing is this huge puddle was right in the middle of a sears parking lot. i remember after it sat for a lil it tried to start but then something happened to the starter, probably water got in it im assuming and now it makes a deeper whinning noise when i try it. i took off something i think was the starter, right next to the front of trans, but cant pop it back in. im gonna have midas replace it for 200 since i think its ruined anyway. by what everyone is saying i think its not hydrolocked to where its ruined but we'll see i guess. cant get the starter on till a week or so. thanks again for all the input. it was kinda scary when it happened, thought i murdered my car and i still might of.

[av6xperience]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

i think what happened was the cai filter got water all on it, stopped the airflow which caused it to choke and die which it did, then since the starter is so low to the ground that got water damage. hopefully its this

[av6xperience]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

ok well im going to replace the starter/solinoid and see what happens. i searched and found one link on how to do it but im still a bit confused. if ANYONE could explain the steps on how it goes i will mail you $5,000,000. lol jk but it would be very much appreciated. thanks

[CDNFB]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

explain the steps on how it goes

1) Using a jack, lift the front of the vehicle till the tires are clear of the ground. Put jack stands in position to secure the vehicle.
2) Disconnect the battery.
3) Get under the car and find the starter. (L/H lower side of engine right where the transmission meets the engine.
4) Remove the heat shield.
5) Disconnect the electrical wiring from the starter.
6) Remove the starter support bracket from the starter and engine.
7) Loosen the remaining starter attachment bolts but do not remove them yet.
8) Support the starter and remove the loosened attachment bolts.
9) Remove the starter, but be watchful as there might be some shims that might fall out. If you do see the shims, take note of where they are, or came from. Not all starter installations will have shims. Mine did.

Installation is just the reverse. I didn't worry about any specific torques on any of the bolts, just tightened them up good.

And the shims (if you have them) just put them back on installation. Chances are you will not have to adjust them.

How do you know if you need to adjust the shims? Either the starter will grind like crazy because the gear engagement is too tight or too loose. To figure that out you have to paint the starter gear with paint, then install and operate it, then remove it and look at the gear to see where the paint has rubbed off, then adjust the shims accordingly.

[CDNFB]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

Oh yeah......and put the car back on the ground before trying to go somewhere:rolleyes:

[av6xperience]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

sweet thanks. what are shims though? might be a stupid question.

[CDNFB]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

Shims are thin pieces of metal that are installed (one or more) at the attachment points between the starter and the engine. They allow you to adjust the position of the starter to ensure proper starter gear engagement with the engine ring gear.

Lots of starter installations have no shims. I think our cars don't normally have shims, but my car's starter was replaced under warrenty by GM and I suspect the Technician found that the starter gear was not engaging properly, so he/she shimmed the starter. I believe that's why my starter has shims.

[av6xperience]

Re: problem after driving through water...help!

i appreciate it