During the last torrential rain storm, our Alero took in enough water in the engine to stop the car in the middle of the road, dead. Does anyone know what specific things to get the mechanic to look for to make sure there is no permanent damage done to the engine. Note to everyone out there - this happened to us by a pickup truck speeding the other way and throwing water up on our car. Beware in heavy rain fellow Alero drivers!
2006-07-15 08:29:48 · 9 answers · asked by kathleen.hardie 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thank you to everyone who has supplied answers so far. The problem is that the engine DID take on considerable water. It would not re start for my husband and it did need to be towed. The exhaust is full of water as is the engine. The air filter was soaked when it came off. It was towed to a GM dealer. They changed the spark plugs and gave it one oil change but said it was running rough when they were able to get it started. It is going through on insurance and it has been sitting for one week with the engine and exhaust still full of water and nothing has been done - ins. adjuster is taking his time getting back to us, will not return our calls. We fear that the car sitting with engine and exhaust full of water for a week is going to cause further problems when the insurance adjuster does get around to telling the dealership to fix it. So, knowing these details, can anyone offer up advice? Unfortunately this car is a leased car which is adding to the problem of what to do.
2006-07-15 09:08:14 · update #1
In the old days this was a lot more common.
Although, it stopped the engine, most likely there is no permanent damage. I assume you restarted the car and it is not grinding and blowing plumes of smoke.
When the engine is dried and the electrical circuits are cleared of moisture everything should be OK.
WD-40 (Water Displacement- Formula 40) Use it to dry the wet places.
If, however, the engine sucked in gallons of water, (not likely here), the water is not compressible like air, the water can cause hydraulic shock to the internal parts and break pistons, rods etc.
If the engine had this kind of damage, you wouldn't need a service tech. to tell you. It would be on the back of a tow truck with smoke still pouring from it.
It is time for an oil change and air filter.
Start the engine get it warm to normal temp's. Get Some wd-40 spray the electrics .
It will be fine.
Yours: Grumpy
2006-07-15 08:33:10 · answer #1 · answered by Grumpy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say the oil and sparkplugs were changed and the engine did run. There is no, or very little, water left in the engine and most of the water will have been blown out of the exhaust when the engine started. If there was no major damage done when the engine stopped running, it's just a matter of finding out what is causing the engine to run rough. Something electrical may need to dry out, or be replaced because the water caused it to short out.
2006-07-15 09:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by monte 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The proper term for this phenomenon is Hydro-Locking. Its very bad for everything. Water unlike air is not compressable and enough water in the combustion chamber will cause bent rods. You'll more than likly need an engine. Seen it before on a pontiac. We pulled all 6 plugs and cranked it over. Water shot out of the plug holes. Put it back together and it barly ran with a bad knocking. Junkyard motor time.
2006-07-15 08:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by ThisJustin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides all the good advice you've been given, You may also have a timing belt or chain that jumped out of time. This may be why the mechanics got it to run but run badly. If the cylinders got water in them and stopped the pistons suddenly it could cause this. This can also happen if a car backfires.
2006-07-15 10:27:13 · answer #4 · answered by Triker Red 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the water did not get into the intake, carb or air intake it probably didn't do any major damage. It may have just been water getting into the distributor cap that caused it to stop[ running. Dry the cap out and check for water in the air cleaner, intake, and carburetor (if applicable). If no water is present in the intake, etc. then it will probably be fine. If you suspect water went into the air intakes ....You may want to have oils drained and refilled before driving. Good luck !
2006-07-15 08:42:17 · answer #5 · answered by turbietech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say there is probably no major damage. If you take it to A qualified mechanic he will know what to look for.As long as there is know water in the crankcase I wouldn't worry. This can be easly checked by pulling out the dip stick and looking at the oil on the end. If it is milky looking it has water in it, if it is dark or clear looking it is ok. Just dry out distrubuter cap and it should restart.
2006-07-15 09:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by smoke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you lease the car its the lease company that should be helping you they have big clout.I agree with others that you may have ingested enough water to cause a hydrostatic lock up condition.If this is the case major damage will have been done to your engine.Get on to your lease company they will apply pressure on the loss adjuster.Its in their interest they own the car.
2006-07-15 10:18:14 · answer #7 · answered by mick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most likely you just got your distributor wet and that's what caused it to stall out. however, since you are saying that the engine is water logged...check your oil. is it milky, as in a whitish or creamy white color? if so, you have water in your engine. if not and it looks like normal oil, then you have some other problem that is not related to having water in your engine.
2006-07-15 12:22:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure you nearly blowed your engine up , and it wont be long b-4 it starts knocking , And after that it will end working , then you definately can placed a fork in it because of the fact it is going to likely be carried out .
2016-11-02 03:07:38 · answer #9 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋