So, I'm driving into work today, and there's a freaking LAKE in the road... I've got an AEM CAI on my car (no bypass valve) and I knew I shouldn't have gone, but I had dumbass tourist drivers riding my tail, and I could see that the people in the other lane's tires were only submerging about 2 inches tops, so I figured I would be safe...

Wrong...

Car stalled out almost instantly, a little smoke and/or steam came out from the left side, and I got towed home...

Been a few hours, and I finally got home, tracked down a socket for taking out the spark plugs, and looked down in there. No visible water, so I took that as a good sign, but still kinda worried, because I saw a little bit of shinyness on the far left one (not sure what number that is.)

Finally I got fed up, and decided to try and turn 'er over. Sputtered a bit, tried to catch, didn't. Tried a couple more times, and she finally started... Technically...

Shaking like CRAZY, and making a really loud banging sound which seems to be originating from beneath the valve cover. The exhaust is spitting out water, if I hold my hand behind it, so I don't know if that's a good thing or not...

So I guess my question is, is my engine dead? I assume that the pistons are banging against the valve cover, probably broken rods etc. It doesn't stall, it ran for about 30 seconds without variation in the noises. What can I do?

I've got the money for a swap, just haven't gotten around to ordering it yet. Should I start making calls tomorrow morning, or do I have a bit of life in the old girl yet?


Modified by ShakesTheKlown at 7:23 PM 12/1/2003

 

Sounds like your car is DEAD...get a new motor.

 

If your pistons are banging agianst your valve cover your motor is shot...it would have to go all the way through the head and the valvetrain to get to the valve cover...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your pistons are banging agianst your valve cover your motor is shot...it would have to go all the way through the head and the valvetrain to get to the valve cover...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I was gonna get smart with him...I was..I promise...I am just too tired.

 

time to order that swap buddy you threw a rod!

 

if it still starts and runs, you're fine.

 

Update: Just went down and looked at it with my dad now that he's home... He pointed out some oil on the ground I hadn't noticed before, and I pointed out the piece of my block sitting next to my alternator...

I'll take some pics of my grab bag (previously known as an oil pan) when I disassemble my engine.

I'm figuring this was an omen. I've had the money for like a month, just hadn't gotten around to ordering the engine. And when I do my swap the guy who painted my car is gonna do the engine bay, so I guess this is my lesson about procrastination.

 

or it could have been fate. If you had the new engine in there and ran through that "lake" you would have blown it instead of your old one. Seems to have worked out ok, even thoug it still sucks to blow and engine.

 

Like you said, this is a good time for a swap, especially since you have the money. I hope you DO NOT attempt to go through water when you have your B series motor. In fact, you might wanna change to a short ram intake setup during the winter/rainy season for peace of mind. Good luck..

 

same **** happened to me, thats why i disconnect my intake whenever it rains, atleast untill i get that damn bypass valve. But i blew my 1st engine the same way

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DjFreeze &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">same **** happened to me, thats why i disconnect my intake whenever it rains, atleast untill i get that damn bypass valve. But i blew my 1st engine the same way </TD></TR></TABLE>

You may as well run with the short ram instead. That bypass valve will kill all of your power you are making from a true cold air.

 

Just pull all the plugs out and keep cranking it over to get any water out.

 

Thats why I'll stick to the K&N Drop in!!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You may as well run with the short ram instead. That bypass valve will kill all of your power you are making from a true cold air. </TD></TR></TABLE>

yea man **** the bypass valve. I'd rather have a fake j's. Probably make better power than an aem cai with bypass. Comptech Ice box would be the best though

 

i really hate seeing threads like this. my paranoia increases every time
i really need to sell that cai for a short ram
2 hp is not worth blowing my motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Escobar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just pull all the plugs out and keep cranking it over to get any water out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that would work if he didn't blow a hole in the block

oh yeah and u forgot to say pull the main fuse also don't want fuel spraying all over the place

 

That "sucks" man...get it?? "sucks"....But dont worry it will on come out in the "wash" get it "wash"....j/k

Seriously though, bummer. Im kinda curious as to why you didn't first ask the question of what to do after you ran through the water rather than starting up your engine and really finishing the job?

Screw it. You'll love the new motor. IMO get rid of the cai.

 

Don't worry, the Icebox will probably be on my doorstep sooner than my motor...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Can't Afford Boost &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...or wait! What if you wouldn't have procrastinated and had a CAI on your C5. Then you would be telling us how you blew up your ITR motor...hmm.</TD></TR></TABLE>

very true.. your situation could be a lot worse. if and when i do a swap no way am i puttin a cai on it.

 

Use your brains guys. There are plenty of CAI that are dual purpose.

ie. an ICEMAN can be converted to a short ram in less that 5 min.