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.

 

If you have full coverage then just take it to the dealer. A few weeks ago someone came to my shop(acura tech) with a hydrolocked engine. His insurance company came by, took some photos, and went ahead and approved a new engine. Sometimes they'll just get a block or head or both depending on the severity of the hydrolock. As far as the motorswap goes the insurance company won't go for that, but hey it's a new engine. I hope this helps you out. Later!

 

you might have just sucked water in the motor. try changing oil and filter and crank a couple of times and do it again.

 

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.

 

the same thing happened to me and ive got a rod bent in half to prove it if the engine doesnt turn over with the plugs out, then id say you bent a rod. the engine will probably move the tiniest bit, but it wont turn over, right? dont try to crank it too much, or youll ruin the block. id say youll get at least a new shortblock out of the deal, probably a new longblock.

 

The only thing you can do NOW is to replace the motor. an average b18 is about 500 bucks from a junkyard. Your boyfriend needs to learn to do this himself, or he's not a man ... haha j/k ... I've been switching out hydrolocked motors for a year. it's nothing to it. I'm only 18. I HAVE a hydrolocked motor that I did myself. the rod broke in half and annihilated the block AND the internals. Anyways, if his car is in that bad of condition, he might as well get rid of it, and buy a new car. Unless he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty and REPLACING EVERYTHING he has in the car that doesn't work.
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Keyword: REPLACING
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Goodluck. There's always a mechanic that is willing to do motor swaps. Especially performance shops, cuz they like charging you an *** raping.

 

did you check all your fuses??? grounds etc.

 

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i guess i wasnt clear enough? you bent or broke a connecting rod ( extremely important piece) your car will not move until a new engine is installed. or, if youre very mechanically inclined, which im taking it youre not (nothing bad intended here), you could pull the head off, pull off the oil pan, take out the windage tray and oil pickup, and when you see which rod is bent, take off that rod cap and push that piston/rod out through the top. buy a new rod and rod bearing, and re-install. this is the simplest way to fix your engine, but if youre not mechanically inclined, take your car to the dealership, and call your insurance company.

 

Uh... I wouldn't go jumping to conclusions so fast... It could very well just be grounds are soaked under the insulation... if it happens it takes a LONG time for the wires to dry and properly conduct electricity again..

Was this salt water or fresh?

Did the starter make ANY noise or no. does the guage cluster come on??

You very may well have bent a rod but it's by NO means the answer for sure.

Fill us in more...

 

did you try taking off the filter element and try starting it?? few months ago, there was a storm here, and the street i drove at was flooded i thought that i could go through without a problem but i forgot that i got a custom cold air intake so the car stalled. i tried starting it several times but engine won't fire up. everything's working like radio, window, and etc so i let someone push it out the flooded street.

after 30 mins, i tried starting it again and it fired up but was shaking and the idle is below 500rpm. i drove it for few meters and it stalled again so i have to push it to the side and the engine won't fire up again and this is the time i remember about my cold air intake. i took off the filter element and it is soaking wet! i thought my motor was fucked and i got scared. but i tried starting it again without the filter element and it started right away but idled a little more than 500rpm and it was enough for me to drive to work.

after replacing the filter with a new one, the car runs fine again up to now.

i hope there's nothing seriously damage on your motor.

 

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, 10:58 PM 12/15/2002]

 

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Just like 22lbGS-R said, you have bent a rod. The same thing just happen to me this weekend. My CAI took in some water. After I took the throddle body off, I could see water in the intake manifold. From the top of the block, my piston looks ok but I did not remove the block and transmission yet. It looks like I just bent the rods but I'll know for sure soon.

 

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.