Water intrusion

[GMBoy]

Well, I get a call from a close female friend. We had a nasty hard rainstorm Monday evening and she basically drove thru some water that was too high and stalled her car. Some coworkers pushed it into a parking spot for her and nobody could get it running again. So, the next day, I grab my Tech 2, some tools I think I'd need and go out to the lot to see what's up. I was hoping something just got wet and it may dry out and start.

Wrong! Tried to start it and just a click. Hooked up my booster pack - same thing. Car smells real dunny inside too - musty. So I ask her how deep was the water....was over the door ledge so obviously water got into the interior.

Next - checked all the obvious items, fuses, relays, connectors. All good. Hook up the Tech 2 and only 1 code, for the MAF sensor. So, I unhook the air duct at the MAF and the entire air intake tube is FULL of water! I pulled one plug and it was nasty and water came out of the plug hole.

So I figure this engine probably is hydro-locked and has bent rods etc. The oil level was 3" above the full mark, too.

Sad, this is a really nice car, a loaded 2007 Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible with the 3.9 V6. I told her to call the insurance company on this one! WOnder if they will total it out due to the wet interior??

Just wanted to share, thanks for reading.

 

[SAJEFFC]

Man that is a sad story. You never know what's going to happen with girls and cars right?

Just curious, what part of Texas got that much rain?? I'm in San Antonio and we haven't had any in months!

 

[addyguy]

Car might not be done mechanicaly. Might have stalled out before bent rod, etc...happened.

Change the oil, dry or replace the plugs and wires, make sure battery and starter are dried out, and it might fire up again. I read an article in an off-raod mag where they REALLY drowned an old truck out, and showed how to get it running again.

As for the interior damage, yeah, that might do the car in.

 

[Drew99GT]

Yea, I'd give it one more whirl. Pull the lugs and disable the ECU somehow and crank it until all the water blows out the plug holes. Drain the crankcase as well. When it's cranking, you'll know if the motor is messed up!

 

[dishdude]

Sounds like the engine is toast

Most insurance companies will total a car if water reaches the dash area, but if it is just the carpet they might drop a new (quality recycled/LKQ) engine in and replace the carpet.

 

[MrCritical]

Or if they're cheap, they'll just put in a junkyard engine.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Or if they're cheap, they'll just put in a junkyard engine.


Not on a 2007 model year. Too new of a car and just has 18,000 miles on it.

Anyway - she filed the claim, waiting on the adjuster. Will post back.

 

[GMBoy]

Hey - just an update for you guys:

The car was towed to the dealer and it was determined that the engine was ruined. Sad, just 19,000 miles on it. Anyway, insurance paid the claim and the engine was replaced. Bad part is she just picked the car up and called me to tell me that it isn't running right. I told her to call the dealer - she did and they copped an attitude with her. So....obvioulsy I am going down to the dealer with her Monday when she taked the car back!

 

[XS650]

Once wiring harnesses and connectors get soaked, you can have a lifetime of entertainment chasing problems.