Help. Possible hydrolock...I am a mess

[InFiD3ViL]

We had a really bad storm today in my town. My GF asked me to pick her up because the rain and streets were so bad. I wound up driving through a puddle that was more like a lake. It didn't look deep at all, but it was worse than expected because it was on the other side of a hump at an intersection, causing my nose to go down and the Vararam to act like a damned vacuum cleaner. This has been my biggest fear with that intake, and I should have known better.

I slowed when I realized how deep it was/spotted the puddle, but it was too late. It stalled the car out immediately. On the side of the road I removed the Vararam (filter was soaked) and throttle body. The intake manifold was totally flooded.

Had it towed home, haven't tried to start it. I have removed the intake and valve covers so far, going to pull the plugs in a few minutes. At 150k+ miles it is actually amazing how well it looks under the valve covers. Springs look intact, nothing looks crazy with the rockers, no pools of water at all in the intake ports of the heads that I can see or feel. All trunions look to be intact as well.

After I pull the plugs, I really don't know the next steps to this. I want to make sure the cylinders are empty, but I don't know if I should just get it over with and pull the heads too.

Anyone that has any experience with this or knows every other thing I should do to prevent destroying my bottom end (assuming it isn't already), please let me know. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I will NOT try to crank it until I get a general agreement on the best steps to get this engine dry.

Thanks guys. God I hate myself right now.

Pretty clean under there for 152k miles. Is it just me or is it cranking really slow for no plugs?



Here is part of the dash cam footage of the incident. This is no doubt entirely my fault, as I was driving too fast for the conditions outside. That said, the speeds shown on the OSD are not accurate as there is nearly a 3 second delay. You can see this when I stop the car. That grinding noise when I stopped was my ABS going nuts as I slammed the brakes.



LATEST UPDATE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF:

[SS 310H55A]

The advice in this article looks like it’s worth a try.

https://www.quora.com/If-an-engine-i...an-it-be-saved

[Badas2011]

I would drain the oil and put new oil in ASAP. Get that water out of there. If nothing bent and it didn't run with water in it it may be ok. Afer your sure it is dry and all your fluids are new run it a little and change the oil and fluids where it got wet again.

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by Badas2011

I would drain the oil and put new oil in ASAP. Get that water out of there. If nothing bent and it didn't run with water in it it may be ok. Afer your sure it is dry and all your fluids are new run it a little and change the oil and fluids where it got wet again.

Yes, that is a definite.I will prob flush twice, just to be safe.

I think my biggest question right now, as stupid as it seem to ask since I already have the rest of the top end taken off, is should I pull the heads? I am worried about the valves and want to check the piston surface, maybe get some water displacement sprayed in as well.

Another question. How much of an oil mess will I make if I crank it (spark plugs already removed) with the valve covers off?

[shibbs]

No need to pull the heads. Pull the plugs and crank the starter for 30 seconds or so. A shot of WD-40 or something in each plug hole is fine, but don't go overboard. Change the oil, put plugs back in, run it for a bit.

Fingers crossed for you.

[SS 310H55A]

You could always pull the heads, get them rebuilt, and use this opportunity to swap in a cam.

[InFiD3ViL]

Posting this picture makes me sick. Just hoping she stalled quick enough. I have full video of it with mph as well, but I am afraid to see I was going faster than I thought. Haven't reviewed it yet.

[Hulk]

Pull the plugs and crank it over to blow the water out. Have someone watch each side to see witch cylinder the water comes out of. You might see some water run out when you pull the plugs. Run a compression check. If ok put it back together and try to start it.

[InFiD3ViL]

Ok, just cranked it and get no water at all from either bank. All rockers look to be moving as they should. No abnormal sounds at all. I don't know if I am just paranoid, but it feels like it should be cranking faster without the plugs in.

I am trying to upload a video of it right now to YouTube. I will post here shortly.

Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

[silversleeper]

Put the plugs in and see if it runs or makes noises.
Usually blown engines are not covered by car insurance, but save your towing proof and see if it runs . if not, see about a claim for flood damage. They are not going to be as sympathetic if you tore it all down yourself then are making a claim. So keep it simple for them, and don't tear it all apart and put in a claim later.

[InFiD3ViL]

If the engine is done, I wont be putting in a claim for this with my insurance.

The car has 152k miles on it. I am nearly certain they would total it for this. It's probably worth maybe $10k, although aside from this it's in perfect condition.

All covered for the night. Will be bolting it back up tomorrow to see if she starts.

[hammdo]

Get a compression gauge and also do a leak down test. Compression first. Do that before putting things back together. This will help find the condition.

Oil change of course should be done first with just to be safe..

Marvels Mystery oil will be better to put in the cylinders (small amount) with the plugs out just to lightly lube things up.

-Don

[InFiD3ViL]

Yeah, I am going to grab a compression tester in the morning. I will post the results as soon as I am done testing it.

[hunter1660]

Sounds like she's fine. Probably no water in oil. I bet it runs like it never happened. I've sunk outboard motors, hit a log and knocked it off boat, watched it go under running wide open.blub blub blub.....fished it out,flushed it out and went on fishing. Course it had a cowling and not a ram air but still if it didn't hydro lock and bend a rod...your good.