So yesterday I probably did the dumbest thing I have ever done. I ran a over a fairly large puddle and my car stalled. The engine light, battery, roadside, and other lights came on and the car won't start. My assumption is that my ignition plugs are gone, and that I may have even flooded the engine and fried the car computer. My question to you all is.

Using your most educated guess, what are the best and worst scenarios that I may be looking at regarding repairs?

Thanks.

PS: Don't RUN over puddles!

 

do you happen to be running an aftermarket intake

 

Everything on the car is stock. The only service I have had done to the car is replaced a fuel pump about a month ago. Prior to my retarded decision the car was running perfectly - performance wise.

 

Best scenario? Let the engine drain out, and drain all of your fluids out and then refill everything after you let the engine dry a little. Then try starting it again. Best case. Worst case, you need a new engine/car computer and you are better off getting a new one.

 

That's a little horrifying...

Other notes on the car status. When I try to turn the car on your hear the ignition fail, but the battery is still working. Lights come on, AC works, transmission works.

 

where are you? how deep was the water? how long was the car in the water?what have you done so far to try to get it started?

 

My car happens to be a flood damage car, so I got it pretty cheap. But with no water on the interior of the car, it turns out it was a pretty good deal.

 

I am in Phoenix Arizona.

The water was must have been at about 2feet [overestimating] at its deepest.

The car ran the puddle and stalled as I was exiting.

The car was in the water for no more than 4seconds.

I attempted starting the car normally 3 times.

I tried jump starting it once at the advise of my uneducated relative and once that failed we pushed it to the gas station nearby where I left it over night.

I have not had it towed or inspected yet.

Thanks for the assistance!

 

How deep was the puddle?!

I've driven through one maybe 1/2 foot deep, no issues.

If I were you, I'd start by removing the plugs, leads, and coils, then letting everything dry.

 

2 feet!! Thats pretty deep. You just can't tell sometimes before you're already commited.

 

get the air filter dried out. get the maf dried out. start the fing car

 

OMG! Sorry that happened to you!

Wow! I remember getting into a big puddle in an underpass. I was in my winter car (Jetta) traveling behind three other cars and saw the puddle at the last minute.

I changed lanes to slightly higher ground and watch the three of them collide beside me in a shower of water and plastic bits!
That was only around a foot deep or so!
Life sucks but it could always be way worse.

I wish you luck with your car. Please let us know what happens.

 

I checked the air filter last night and it was dry, but I left the care to dry at the nearby gas station. I will be going back tonight to check on it. I can only wish that the problem is going to be that simple, but will drying really allow the car to start. My engine, battery, and serveral other lights did come on after the stall.

Time to remain optimistic.

 

Luckily the puddle was in a parking lot and I was only going about 15mph. Still, if **** is as bad I hope it isn't, then I'm going to be stuck with a car that I may not be able to afford to fix and still have several years to pay off.

As for doing it myself, I wish I could say that I am a car junkie but my knowledge is very basic. That being said, I am not afraid to get dirty with your guys' guidance.

 

get it dried out and get a few of the AZ crew to push it. or just ray by himself

most of the lights came on because of the stalling.

 

luckily you have quite a good rx8 crew out their in AZ so I'd try to get their attention in the regional forums.

when you turn the key to start the car do you hear the motor turning over or just click click click?

if you have comprehensive, i think you can claim this under insurance under flooding?

 

You have an entire RX-8 community around you. I'm sure you'll have lots of help!

At least you didn't flood the engine in the typical way

 

wow 2 feet is more like a lake than a puddle for a car

 

The engine should be fine. You cite the air filter is dry but check the MAF as well just to be certain.

Now, there is a possibility that water temporarily shorted something and the ECU is confused.

Fortunately you're in [usually] bone dry AZ and therefore everything should dry out fairly quickly. Provided again that something major didn't short you should be fine.

 

I just got a call from my technician and they say that I need to replace the engine along with sensors and potentially other things. They expect me to invest 6000 dollars plus more if they find more issues.

I dont have 6000 and I still ower 18000. This is a ******* nightmare.

Please advise...

 

^ PM the good folks at Black Halo Racing (BHR) and have them take a look prior. I find it hard to believe the engine is shot from such a brief incident.

 

Two feet of water is enough to completely submerse the wheels, i.e. also enough to completely submerse the engine minus the intake manifold. I find it very hard to believe you actually drove through water that deep. That being said, the issues are still the issues, though it's strange they'd be happening since rotaries are generally more tolerant of inhaling water than piston engines are. Hell, some people de-carbon their old 13Bs by spraying water into the intake.

Is there any chance it just needs to sit out in the Phoenix sun for a few days? I'd try that before paying anyone to take stuff apart, especially since most shops will just swap out the engine without even trying to rebuild it.

 

Vaeleth... like I said before you go paying some people thousands of dollars TRY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. There is underwriting for flooding under Comprehensive.

And you did not drive through two feet of water.

 

take out the plugs and crank.

 

What parking lot were you in that had 2 feet of water?! What intersection so I can drive there and physically look if it is possible!