hello everyone,

I need advice. About two nights ago I was driving in a huge storm and drove through a huge puddle(accident). Car stalled on me half way through. I have a cold air intake so immediately I'm thinking I hydrolocked my engine. Tried to start it on the side of the road, nothing. So I have it towed back to my place.

Today I took out the spark plugs, which were completely dry, and turned the engine, no water. Checked for spark and I have it. I put plugs back in and tried to turn on the engine but it just turns and nothing. I checked for gas, checked the gas line, checked gas pump fuses, all fine. Looked inside throttle body and it looks fine. Yet car wont start.

I have a 1994 Accord Lx

Please help,
Nicolas

 

Does the compression sound even while cranking the engine?

I would start by confirming cam timing. Then performing a compression test.

 

Sounds like there is no compression. I'm going to run a compression test later today. Ill write back with the results.

Also, is it possible for water to pool in throttle body but not get into cylinders? If so, could that be a possible reason?

 

Okay, I was able to run a compression test on two of the cylinders and PSI came out really low, 75-80 on the first and 25-30 on the second (Note, since my car wont start these tests are done on a cold engine, which I hear affects the PSI).

However the adapter head unscrewed from the hose and got stuck in the spark plug socket... To get it out I had to remove the valve cover.

Now we have encountered another problem. For some reason the gasket for the valve cover will not fit back in. It's too big to fit the grooves. Is there a secret to this?

Finally, low compression in two cylinders with one being significantly lower (25-30 PSI). I looked at the timing belt while I had the valve cover removed and it looked fine. Does this lead to signs of internal damage?

Thanks,
Nicolas

 

im not exactly sure why your car stopped working. i am drawing a blank right now on suggestions about that.


but as far as your valve cover gasket goes i would replace it with a new one. actaully i would just get a kit(if available) and change whatever seals come with it. its not too big it just may have stretched from the heat of the engine. you will need some high temp sealant too. also since you removed your valve cover i would go ahead and adjust your valves.

idk about a 94 but on a cb7 if the timing belt breaks it can destroy the engine. and i would think if you are losing compression then you might have damaged the internals.

 

Wet the cylinders with fresh oil, turn the engine over with fuel/spark disabled or by hand and repeat the compression test. If PSI is normal, try starting the engine.

If compression is the same I would confirm cam timing. ( make sure the timing belt did not jump ).

If PSI doesn't improve, and cam timing is ok, there may be internal engine damage.

I've seen water inside engines simply wash the cylinder walls of oil from trying to start ( fuel washing the oil off ) and cause the vehicle to not start until the cylinder walls were coated with fresh oil again.