I think I killed my beloved Camry Wagon

[spalding]

Hello everyone, this is my first post and it's not a good one.

On this past Monday, after a series of phenomenal thunderstorms, I found myself driving through water on a street that was MUCH deeper than I had anticipated. About half way through the water my engine shut off (I think I might have floated) so I quickly turned the car towards an embankment and rolled up the hill a little until the vehicle was out of the water. This all happened very vast and I was only in the water for about 5 seconds. After a few moments I turned the key and heard a "clump" sound. The engine wouldn't turn over, it would only "clump" every time I hit the ignition. I thought to myself #$@&!!!!!!, well maybe I should let it dry out and try again. The car sat in 100 degree heat until yesterday, and when I tried again... a "clump" is all I got. I had a buddy meet me and we tried to jump it, however all that happened was more clumps.

I have since had the car towed to the local shop and was told this morning that there is a good chance that too much water might have gotten into the cylinders which essentially can "hydro-lock" your engine. Apparently some poor bastard (like myself) told my mechanic the same exact story, even down to the "clump" to which the mechanics found a thrown rod and a seized engine... filled with water.

The sad thing is that this car has had many parts replaced in the last 15K miles like starter, struts, shocks, radiator, seals, brakes, headlights, engine mounts... the list goes on and on. It has 175k miles on it but was surely ready for another 175k more. I'm really bummed I might have killed the greatest car I've ever owned.

If the engine is toast, then it will probably be unlikely that I will have the time or money to swap in another engine. However, is there any chance that an engine swap would be feasible?

If not, would anyone like a 91 Wagon Roller for an engine swap?

[Blakeman]

I had something similar happen when fording a stream with my old Bronco and it turned out to just be the oxygen sensor that had shorted when it got wet.

I too have a wagon, though a little older (89). I would strongly consider swapping engines in it since they are such great cars. You might be able to find an engine for it at a local junk yard, but I would make damn sure it isn't something simple to fix that is the problem before you give up all hope.

Please tell me it at least is not an AWD model that you may have killed? :S

[spalding]

Originally Posted by Blakeman

I had something similar happen when fording a stream with my old Bronco and it turned out to just be the oxygen sensor that had shorted when it got wet.

I too have a wagon, though a little older (89). I would strongly consider swapping engines in it since they are such great cars. You might be able to find an engine for it at a local junk yard, but I would make damn sure it isn't something simple to fix that is the problem before you give up all hope.

Please tell me it at least is not an AWD model that you may have killed? :S

No, it's the 2WD. I will probably get the call later this afternoon. I'm scared.

[Blakeman]

If you do have to swap an engine, see if you can find the 6 cylinder engine.

[Tom 2000]

14 years ago, I had the same expereince driving my '88 Camry through a deep puddle. The engine stalled and the engine would not start.

Tried jump starting it with my other car thinking battery might be low after repeated starts, didn't help.

Ended up getting the car towed to the nearby Toyota Dealer. They removed all the spark plugs to flush out any water, changed the oil few times and it was fine.

I was very fortunate that was it. I drove that car for another 45K miles before I sold it.

[stanno]

Originally Posted by Blakeman

If you do have to swap an engine, see if you can find the 6 cylinder engine.

That sounds like a ton of extra work for swapping an engine. The 6 banger wont align with the 4cyl mounting points you know + all that damn rewiring.

[Blakeman]

Originally Posted by stanno

That sounds like a ton of extra work for swapping an engine. The 6 banger wont align with the 4cyl mounting points you know + all that damn rewiring.

Yeah but if you have to do it at all, might as well upgrade, the wagons have the extra weight and don't mind that slight boost in power.

[Doctor J]

to Spalding
My 79 supra got flooded in 20 inches deep water and nothing happened to the motor.
For camry:
remove the sparkplugs and battery
place 22 mm socket head on the alternator pulley nut and manually rotate engine clockwise direction
to check if you are getting water out of cylinders
then use shop vac to suck the water out
then change oil and filter
remove dry out and bench test the starter in autozone store
remove and dry distributor
add 10cu cm of light engine oil in each cylinder
install starter and crank the engine without spark plugs (the oil may spray out of the spark plug holes at that time, crank until no more oil is coming out
then measure compression
if it is about 125 psi
put the plugs in
fire the engine up
it may smoke and shake but later the piston rings will seat back and compresion shoud increse and engine should smooth out.

it is not easy to hydrolock the gas engine (diesel is much more sensetive to such damage)

[spalding]

Thanks guys for all the responses.

We'll I've gotten the car back from the shop and the engine runs, but it runs like @#$%. They changed the oil, oil filter, and air filter. I changed the spark plugs and alternator (because apparently I fried it while trying to jump it on the first day). So far I can't get it to idle properly. One of my buddies seems to believe it's a spark related issue because of the little amount of black smoke that is now coming out of the exhaust. If it is a spark issue, then I guess I'll end up replace the wires and distributor cap.

Anyone have any idea what's that's going to cost me, or maybe a place to start looking?

Thanks again

I have not the slightest idea what this is supposed to mean but I think it's hilarious:

[Doctor J]

Black smoke indicates rich mixture
Make sure the air filter is put in correctly (had one issue with 88 v-6 where element was put wrong way
you also need to check wires and connector at coolant temperature sensor