I (/we, my boyfriend and I,) have a 98 Acura Integra LS...2DR...here's what happened:
Yesterday, Tuesday the 10th, my boyfriend was leaving to go to work at 6am, it was totally dark outside. We live in the apartments next to Barney's on Gandy in St. Pete and he left out of the side gate, which drops you off on the road that runs next to Barney's. (Between the shop and the storage place) The entire road, both length and width wise, was under over a foot of water. You couldn't tell because there was so much water and it was so dark outside that it just looked like the road. Once he found out that the road was flooded, it was too late. The car stalled and he pushed it to the Barney's parking lot where it sat all day. The car still won't start. There are some things that do work, the headlights, radio, his alarm - although the lights don't flash when he arms and disarms it - and the window's roll up and down - very slowly. His car is lowered and has a cold air intake (among other little things - no major engine stuff though besides an AEM fuel rail).
I talked to our dealership (Crown Acura in Clearwater) and they said that it's a very good possibilty that the car is hydro-locked. So, I called our insurance company and they said that once I get the car to the dealership that they'll send someone out to take a look at it.
So, my point is this; has this ever happened to any of you? What did your insurance company do? (We have full coverage with a $500 deductable) How much did it cost? Did you have your dealership/shop do the work? And is it possible that since we're more than likely going to need a new engine, is there a chance that we could do a motor swap? and have the insurance company pay for it? We were in the process of saving for one to begin with. Your help is really appreciated. Thank you.

 

Take out the spark plugs and turn it over a few times.. see if water comes out. It will.. Then see if it starts! There was a post about hydrolock in the integra forum yesterday.. try searching for it.

 

check fuses and relays for the electrical problems... hydrolock could be a huge deal or a small deal. worst case scenario: replace motor, best case scenario: just suck the water out of the spark plug wells.

 

Happened to my car too. Remove the sparkplugs and drain the cylinders. If you're lucky like me, it will start. If you're not, well...

 

pull the spark plugs and leave them aside. Turn the key and see if it tries to turn over. If it does, it'll most likely spew water out of the cylinders. Do this a few times.

Dry the plugs off. Re-install them. Try turning it over.

If it starts, listen for any abnormalities.

Most likely there will be damage even though you may not be able to hear anything off hand. I hydrolocked mine once, luckily i was at low rpm. I didnt have any abnormal sounds, but it turns out that i did have a bent rod which i didnt notice until the block was taken apart for new rings.


also, check with your insurance company. In some cases, insurance will cover the costs of a replacement motor.


[Modified by Black Light, 3:34 PM 12/11/2002]

 

Sweet, I have an address and 2 tegs, and I know when you go to work.

Time to break out the tow truck and slim jim.

 

I took out the spark plugs and the engine wouldn't kick over with them out, nor with them in. Also, we didn't have any water come up and the spark plugs were dry when we took them out. Another thing, would I be able to fine anything out through a code from the check engine light? I've even tried charging the battery and that didn't help either.

 

wtf?

 

He was making a point. Don't put up such personal info on a car website.

Ben

 

Does anything happen when you try to crank the engine? Do you hear relays clicking? If you hear <u>nothing</u> (and I mean nothing) the starter may have been damaged. Also, check your fuses...the water may have caused a short or two. HTH.

 

bump

 

RIP teg... BUmp for you.

 

bump

 

I took off my cold air intake and aslo installed a new battery (I actually borrowed my roommate's because mine said that there was water damage to it). After taking off the intake and installing the new battery, I tried to turn the car over and it still wouldn't start. Also, the filter on my intake was not wet, but around the throttle body there was some moisture. I've also checked all of the fuses, and they are all ok. The only things that I have not done are check to see if there was water in the gas tank, or in the oil. I don't want to spend the money to check the oil, just to find out that I have to replace the motor. If anyone could give me any other suggesitons/advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.


[Modified by Slow, 10:56 PM 12/15/2002]

 

sorry to hear...hav eu tried pulling the dipstick and inspecting it? cuz i remember when dis ****** blew/overheated the motor in our truck i pulled the dipstick and found coolant...HTH...

 

hydro lock .. been there and still going through it , my car has been out for about two and half months.. .. i was on my way to work and it was raining pretty hard i was going about 35 and pulled to the right lane to pass a car ,well there was a puddle of water and as soon as i hit the water i tried to swerve back , but it was to late my car locked up ... i was sitting there just hopeing that i didnt suck water into my engine.. i tried to start it but no go .. so i pushed it to my moms house down the street in the rain .. after work i get back to the house and start checking .. the spark plugs , the cold air intake the throttle body all the usual spots.. well then i see a rod sticking out of the block right on the bottom of the first cylindar thats
when i knew it was over.. Anyways i got lucky my insurance gave me 5k to fix my motor...I have a 500 deductable and allstate is the company .. like i said though i got lucky they didnt even look at my car . if your car has lock , put the stock intake back on if you still have it .. and take it to the dealer get a quote on fixing and then fax it to your insurance.. see what they can do ... if you need more info just e mail me ... i allready pulled the motor myself and found a few deals on what kind of options to do ... my email is sideburns_one@yahoo.com my name is Jason...

 

bump

 

ok looked through the holes for the spark plugs and all of the pistons are moving up and down and theres nothing protruding through the block(insert sarcasim)any other ideas,im changind the pligs now?

 

ok changed plugs it fired up finally and heard clankity clank clank.so its goin to the shop for repairs,ill keep everyone posted on the outcome.

 

Ick....good luck, keep us posted.....

 

good luck with the shop..

i hydrolocked my 94 gsr with aem cai a couple of years ago. insurance was/is state farm. they were pretty cool about it, although they never knew the aem was on it. i would suggest replacing the aem with the stock intake before letting them look at your car.

they offered me $2500 to fix the engine or about $10,500 to "total" the car. i took the latter.

hope it turns out well for you.