Oh no, I drove into a flood

Dalibu

Dalibu

A2OC Donor
This past weekend I stupidly drove into a flood :(, thinking it was not that deep (in reality it was around the wheel axles). We were almost at our destination, and turning around would have made us very late (arrived very late anyway as you can imagine!). Worse yet it happened on a TDI engine, so the risk of damage is high. Was not driving fast and engine just stalled, had to push it out. Tried to start it but it would not start again. Found lots of water in the foot well interior cubbies and I drained and dried that all out. With the help of RAC took off the air filter and glow plugs, then held the key to run the starter to push all the water out of the engine. Well, it sounded pretty rough on Saturday, but on Sunday I made it to Halfords and fitted a new air filter and then drove home (160 miles) at normal speeds. Acceleration is normal. Just sounds a little rough, and more noise at idle and low speeds. Oil is a little low, but no signs of water on the dipstick. It is booked in for the 27th at local independent dealer. Car has 62,000 mi., last 9,000 on our watch, but car has always been well looked after. Let's hope nothing is damaged. I've asked for a compression check and oil change, anything else I should request?
 
Same thing happend to my B-reg Pug 205 diesel. It needed 2 con rods. Cheap enough job on an old car. I doubt life is so kind these days on a more complex car.

The compression test would be my first step too.

Good luck.
 
Hi,
Cannot remember when, but there was a TV program about the problem of water getting into engines, and the damage it can do, what surprised me was you can claim on your car insurence.
 
Thank you for your comments. I've also found a lot of water under the rear seat footwells. After taking out the seats I found I could ease the carpet up, over the mounting points. The carpet foam was full of water. Now I've stuffed lots of newspaper in there in the hope it will dry out. Car goes in for repairs Wednesday, so fingers crossed.
 
Might be engine is fine but the electronics / controller unit under the front carpet dirver side are nacked.
 
Maybe, but the water was about 2cm below that unit. After cutting the under seal from the car, we were able to push the grommet out from that compartment so the water could drain. On the driver side is just the radio amp, and water didn't get in there enough to reach it.
 
Did you get water out of the glow plug holes when you spun it over on the starter?

As water is not compressible, if it has ingested some the engine 'hydaulics' and stops - suddenly, which ususally involves bending the con rods. If the engine was turning over really slowly then you 'may' be ok but...........................................

The number of times I have seen a trials bike upside down, plug out, being turned over beside a moorland stream..................................happy days.
 
Engine was not running hard when the water hit it and yes we got a lot of water out via the glow plugs, so hopefully it will be ok.
 
Lots of water in the cylinders suggests 'hydraulic-ing' and associated bent rods i'm afraid.
 
Dalibu said:
Thank you for your comments. I've also found a lot of water under the rear seat footwells. After taking out the seats I found I could ease the carpet up, over the mounting points. The carpet foam was full of water. Now I've stuffed lots of newspaper in there in the hope it will dry out. Car goes in for repairs Wednesday, so fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

That will take days. I washed my carpets during teh summer and left them in the (warm) sauna for two days (added fire, too) - not dry. They only really dried when I hit Dresden and it was 30+....

Bret
 
If you have a garage and know anyone with a portable dehumidifier I'd put it in the car and leave it running for a couple of days. If that carpet isn't dried out sharpish you may well be left with a musty smell that's hard to shift.
 
Thanks all for the comments.... now for an update. I took the car over to Stealth racing a week or so ago. They've found the engine damage is a bent con rod no. 1 plus enough scraping in cylinder one to warrant re-boring, etc. :(
Recommendation is to fit a reconditioned engine block. They have sourced a block and I'll have everything else refitted as well as taking the opportunity to fit a new clutch and starter motor. This is really going to cost a lot, but I know it's in good hands now. This car is one we will keep for years and years so let's hope it is worth it. Hopefully my car will be up and running soon!
 
Sure it will be great after that - however is there a design fault here at all that we should modity the input to the air filter or did you go really deep into the water / presume you had the lower engine cover fitted ?
 
I think you'll find that there is a small drain hole in the base of the filter holder to allow any condensed water to escape (and allow water to be sucked in). It would not make much difference whether the undertray is fitted or not. Best to stay out of water.

RAB
 
It seems to me that if the base of the filter (the cap that you remove to fit a new one) had a better seal, then the car could cope with going through water better. After all the intake is quite high. When I get the car back I will be looking into it... but don't worry I won't be driving into floods again. Surely I have learnt my lesson.
 
Two weekends ago I collected our car from Stealth Racing. Vince and crew have done a great job fitting everything back together, and I have to say it is running better than ever! The donor engine gave us a block and flywheel, to which we fit my old cylinder head and my TDI 90 turbo, and a new TDI 75 type clutch. Also took the opportunity to fit a new cam belt (TDI 75 kit due to bolt configuration) and starter motor (old one was noisy). Vince checked the car on the rolling road and she was making 107bhp, as per the remap he did for manhattan$ when he owned the car in 2007. Then Vince applied a software update to his remap machine, and she's up to 114bhp - and it could get higher as things settle in. I have to say the power is much smoother now, pickup is brisker, and it's nice to have a new clutch as well. Last weekend I put all the carpets back (all dry now) and gave it a good clean. Also I had someone out to recharge the A/C & give it an anti-bacterial treatment. The engine is quiet at idle and I am certain the car is in better shape than before the accident. It is nice to have the car back.... thanks all!
 
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