Drove into a puddle....

[Sniperdude]

Well, today was an extremely large thunderstorm, and it was really dark out around 9:30 and I was starting my drive home from work, and I drove into this moderately deep puddle... around 1 to 1.5 feet deep, and I heard this massive whoosing sound, and the front end went right into it... and then I coasted out of the puddle, and the engine's rpm's dropped from 2,000 to 0 in a few seconds, and it died. I had trouble starting it for at least 10 minutes. After I stepped on the brake really hard, the engine attempted to start, but failed a few times. I got it started and at first, if I hit the brake hard in drive, the RPM's would rise to 1,000 but when I hit the gas it rumbled and died.

So, I finally got it started and it was really rumbling and shaking bad, so I drove it a little around the area, parked in the parking complex, popped the hood and sprayed some belt dressing on the belts, in case they might've been wet, and double checked all the ignition wires.

I dunno if there's permanent damage... on the way home on the expressway, it seemed a lot more responsive and less clunky, but it was still a little...

What should I do?

[touringcamry]

Sounds like water might have gotten into the intake which is really bad because water doesn't compress.

There could also be water in the distributor cap but I don't know what care you have so I don't know if this even applies to you.

[Venom_5]

nope, not the air intake

that shaking is cuz the spark plugs/wires are wet - you probably soaked the distributor cap

normally when these areas are wet, your engine convulses pretty bad, and its best not to run it because it tends to send more water thru the system - let it dry for 24 hrs [or at least 15 if its sunny] and start it up again ...

if it doesnt work, then the air intake would be the next place to look - but i doubt it cuz ive driven thru plenty of Florida thunderstorm puddles and never had water in my intake

and touring, he has the same car as me

[Sniperdude]

I thought this might've been a problem, but the distrib and wires were bone dry.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by Venom_5

nope, not the air intake

and touring, he has the same car as me

Ok. Gen4s don't have distributor which is why I wasn't certain about the distributor.

[ghettosled]

sounds like water got into a place its not suppose to. like venom said, give it 24 hours to dry.

[Dave's]

Things to consider doing when you've been in too deep: Check air filter for water before cranking engine. Pull plugs and crank engine a few times, this should allow any water to escape the cylinders and prevent hydro-lock which can seriously damage an engine. As soon as possible- change oil and filter. Drain and refill transmission and diff- water in these may not cause problems for weeks or even months. Might also check CV joints, wheel bearings, etc as water dilution can cause these to fail prematurely as well. As suggested, allow vehicle to dry out if possible. Just some ideas to think about. Best of luck.

[Sniperdude]

Apparently I just got a bunch of water in my exhaust which messed up the backflow...

While I was at the mechanic I had him do my dogbone and front engine mount... he showed me my engine was basically hopping while shifting. So, now that's one less thing to worry about. Although I need to do the back two engine mounts, I think it's the transmission mount and the rear engine mount.

[Venom_5]

how much to replace the dogbone and front? i really need to do this, but im lazy

[Sniperdude]

300.00. I got a decent workaround so I paid 150 and will pay the other 150 when I get paid.

[Venom_5]

gah, im gonna havta do it myself if its $300 ...