Fixing Water Taken In From Submerged Filter

UncleBen's · 04-07-2003, 04:43 PM

Ok, so your driving along, you have a CAI, boom deep water that was impossible to see until you hit it! Car dies as a result of getting no air. DO NOT try to start the car back up if the filter is still submerged, if you do try to you will just risk pulling in more water.

Ok get out, it is time to get wet, if the water is going to come in if you open the door, be smart, climb out the window. Push it into a dry/dryer area where the filter won't be in water.

Ok now this is where having tools/carrying them in the car comes in handy. Pull out a screwdriver(flathead), 10mm socket, wratchet(sp?), spark plug sized extension(eh 6 inches or better I'd guess), 5/8 spark plug socket. Ok now first thing, COMPLETELY remove the air intake tube from the throttle body, let it just suck in fresh unfiltered air. Next, use the 10mm socket to pull off the spark plug cover, pull the "boots" off the plugs, whip it out(err your extension that is!), also bring out the trusty 5/8 spark plug socket! Remove all four spark plugs. Also if you want to you can pull your dipstick and see if you can see any water, as it will float on top of the oil. Ok, if you have someone else there it will come in handy now, have them try to start the car. Obviously it won't start without the plugs or wires in place, but if there is water in the engine it will spit it out, and I mean spit it out. It will probably hit you even if you are about 3 feet to the side of the car. My suggestion is to stand in the front, it doesn't seem to "spit" in that direction. Now after you are confident that the water is pretty much out, put everything back on EXCEPT THE INTAKE TUBE. Check the car and see if she will start now, this may take 5 or so tries. Give the car some gas as you are trying, it seems to help. Once you get it started it may idle funny, just blip the throttle a little and don't let it die, it will idle fine after a minute. It may poor out white smoke out of the back. The car might smell like it is running rich, this is fine, but if it smells like it is burning oil-oh shit, turn off the car, you have a big headache ahead of you, if it smells like an older car(running rich) don't worry!Don't worry probably just water/condensation inside the exhaust from some water that made it through the engine/or water that came in through the back of the exhaust. Now either leave there car where it is and let the filter dry out, or if you feel safe driving the car with unfiltered air(Minerals in the air in the engine=more friction=bad!) drive it somewhere you feel safe leaving the car/home and pull the filter, and dry that sucker off or let it dry out by itself! Driving a few blocks to your house might be fine.

After you dry the filter/let it dry out, put it back on and also reinstall the intake tube to the throttle body. Wala, your car should run just fine, with no ill effects of the incident.

Now, this is something that is pretty important, DO THIS AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFTER THE CAR DIES! Why? Water sitting in your engine could end up causing rust- GET IT OUT ASAP!

This is just my experience-correct me on anything that is needed, just trying to help others out that may experience this in the future.

Now I know you can say "Just don't drive in deep water and it will be fine!", which is true and well, shit happens, I'm just trying to help others find the pooper scooper!

04-07-2003, 04:43 PM	#1
UncleBen's ,\|,, (O.o) ,,\|, Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Monroe, Louisiana Posts: 791 iTrader: (0)	Fixing Water Taken In From Submerged Filter Ok, so your driving along, you have a CAI, boom deep water that was impossible to see until you hit it! Car dies as a result of getting no air. DO NOT try to start the car back up if the filter is still submerged, if you do try to you will just risk pulling in more water. Ok get out, it is time to get wet, if the water is going to come in if you open the door, be smart, climb out the window. Push it into a dry/dryer area where the filter won't be in water. Ok now this is where having tools/carrying them in the car comes in handy. Pull out a screwdriver(flathead), 10mm socket, wratchet(sp?), spark plug sized extension(eh 6 inches or better I'd guess), 5/8 spark plug socket. Ok now first thing, COMPLETELY remove the air intake tube from the throttle body, let it just suck in fresh unfiltered air. Next, use the 10mm socket to pull off the spark plug cover, pull the "boots" off the plugs, whip it out(err your extension that is!), also bring out the trusty 5/8 spark plug socket! Remove all four spark plugs. Also if you want to you can pull your dipstick and see if you can see any water, as it will float on top of the oil. Ok, if you have someone else there it will come in handy now, have them try to start the car. Obviously it won't start without the plugs or wires in place, but if there is water in the engine it will spit it out, and I mean spit it out. It will probably hit you even if you are about 3 feet to the side of the car. My suggestion is to stand in the front, it doesn't seem to "spit" in that direction. Now after you are confident that the water is pretty much out, put everything back on EXCEPT THE INTAKE TUBE. Check the car and see if she will start now, this may take 5 or so tries. Give the car some gas as you are trying, it seems to help. Once you get it started it may idle funny, just blip the throttle a little and don't let it die, it will idle fine after a minute. It may poor out white smoke out of the back. The car might smell like it is running rich, this is fine, but if it smells like it is burning oil-oh shit, turn off the car, you have a big headache ahead of you, if it smells like an older car(running rich) don't worry!Don't worry probably just water/condensation inside the exhaust from some water that made it through the engine/or water that came in through the back of the exhaust. Now either leave there car where it is and let the filter dry out, or if you feel safe driving the car with unfiltered air(Minerals in the air in the engine=more friction=bad!) drive it somewhere you feel safe leaving the car/home and pull the filter, and dry that sucker off or let it dry out by itself! Driving a few blocks to your house might be fine. After you dry the filter/let it dry out, put it back on and also reinstall the intake tube to the throttle body. Wala, your car should run just fine, with no ill effects of the incident. Now, this is something that is pretty important, DO THIS AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFTER THE CAR DIES! Why? Water sitting in your engine could end up causing rust- GET IT OUT ASAP! This is just my experience-correct me on anything that is needed, just trying to help others out that may experience this in the future. Now I know you can say "Just don't drive in deep water and it will be fine!", which is true and well, shit happens, I'm just trying to help others find the pooper scooper!