drove through water and car stalled

[bluesman21]

Heavy rains produced standing water about 10 inches deep this morning in a puddle I drove through. My car (1993 Plymouth Laser 1.8L) stalled. I tried to crank it and the motor just turned without firing up. About to get it towed to the house. What steps do I need to take before I try to crank it again to get whatever's wet back to being dry before I screw something up? Bluesman21

 

[rlacasse1]

Do you have a cold air intake? If you do pop the filter off it and see if it will start up. If it will then your filter is just so wet it can't let flow air through it very well.

If not, it's quite possible you bent a rod if you sucked up enough water.

Also, remember to check all your electical connections and see if any are wet.

 

[thomcasey]

Pull the plug and dry them. Leave them out. Pull the intake /filter housing and make sure there is no water (might need a new filter, it is probably soaked. It is a 1.8, so you might want to pull the distributor cap and dry the inside and dry the rotor. Put everything back together except the plugs. Turn the engine over a few times without the plugs in, this will force any water in the cylinders out. Then, replace the plugs and try to start it.

 

[bluesman21]

I pulled the (week old) air filter and it was dry. I just put in new plugs 2 days ago. I pulled them and turned over the motor and saw no water. Pulled distributor cap and wiped it out. Put it all back and it cranked and runs so smoothly like it did before the floodwaters!!! Man I thought a lot worse had happened. This car has lasted me so many years. The 1.8L motor has been the most dependable of anything I have driven (18 years) and easy enough to maintain that I put a timing belt on 2 weeks ago and I have never done anything more that change a battery or spark plugs!!! I did have dsmtuners support from members as again today. Thanks to y'all for your help and replies! Bluesman21

 

[dpun3]

You were lucky. I've seen a built focus go b/c it was hydrolocked. Motors don't compress water

 

[Mackadoches]

Pull the plug and dry them. Leave them out. Pull the intake /filter housing and make sure there is no water (might need a new filter, it is probably soaked. It is a 1.8, so you might want to pull the distributor cap and dry the inside and dry the rotor. Put everything back together except the plugs. Turn the engine over a few times without the plugs in, this will force any water in the cylinders out. Then, replace the plugs and try to start it.

I gurantee the filter being soaked was the issue. Happened to my focus. I just had to let it dry up and it worked fine afterwards.

 

[concept4g63]

Next time just avoid water because your car is your baby, keep her dry