engine flooded by water
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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engine flooded by water
I am vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and have run into a problem with my sisters Escape. I was in my Expedition and my dad and her were following me and got in too deep of water and swamped the engine. When trying to restart the engine all it does is click and not even crank over. I am thinking this is electrical but have never had this happen before and would be open to any advice. I am planning to take apart the air intake, pull the plugs and see what I find and then start working toward the alternator and starter motor in the AM. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could give me some direction as to where to look first. thanks fitzy 67. 2000EXP5.4 ps the Escape is an 04 V6. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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I hate to be the one to tell you this, however, pull all the plugs and see if it will then spin over without the plugs installed. I'm trying to eleminate a trashed engine right off the bat. Check for water in the oil as well. I hope it's ot this serious, but it happen alot when 4wheeling and playing in water. Water will trash an engine in a heartbeat.
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I am vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and have run into a problem with my sisters Escape. I was in my Expedition and my dad and her were following me and got in too deep of water and swamped the engine. When trying to restart the engine all it does is click and not even crank over. I am thinking this is electrical but have never had this happen before and would be open to any advice. I am planning to take apart the air intake, pull the plugs and see what I find and then start working toward the alternator and starter motor in the AM. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could give me some direction as to where to look first. thanks fitzy 67. 2000EXP5.4 ps the Escape is an 04 V6.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Here's the deal.. air compresses... water does not.
If water is allowed to ingest into the cylinders, they fill with water. The piston is forced upwards trying to compress something that is not easily compressed and the end result is that something has to give. Bent rods are not at all uncommon to see with this condition.
It's also possible that one or more of the cylinders are simply full of water. Removing the spark plug will allow the water to escape through its hole and prevent it from trying to compress. If the engine will not turn over with the plugs removed, you have a much more serious engine issue and most likely a rebuild is in order.
If it does crank over with the plugs removed, then crank is over for several seconds (to push all of the water out), install some new plugs, put it back together... and pray!
If water is allowed to ingest into the cylinders, they fill with water. The piston is forced upwards trying to compress something that is not easily compressed and the end result is that something has to give. Bent rods are not at all uncommon to see with this condition.
It's also possible that one or more of the cylinders are simply full of water. Removing the spark plug will allow the water to escape through its hole and prevent it from trying to compress. If the engine will not turn over with the plugs removed, you have a much more serious engine issue and most likely a rebuild is in order.
If it does crank over with the plugs removed, then crank is over for several seconds (to push all of the water out), install some new plugs, put it back together... and pray!
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2007
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I have no experience with this in a car, but I ruined a boat motor by not being thorough enough (rusted up from the inside). It seems like you'd need to do a lot more than change the oil & change the plugs & change the air filter.
I'd start changing the oil & filters, remove the plugs, & jump it to see if it cranks over for a few seconds. If it cranks over, you've got hope!
Be careful about cranking it too much at one time, the starter might not take it.
In order to pull the plugs, you will pull the intake manifold. You can spray a lot of WD40 in the cylinders & intake.
Does anyone know if too much WD40 will wreck the catalytic converter? Maybe you need to drop the exhaust before you run a lot of WD40 thru it.
Then change the oil & filter again, and add extra oil. Crank it some more with the plugs out. Check / change the power steering fluid, and the tranny fluid.
I bet you could find a forum for off-roaders that could give better info.
Good Luck!
I'd start changing the oil & filters, remove the plugs, & jump it to see if it cranks over for a few seconds. If it cranks over, you've got hope!
Be careful about cranking it too much at one time, the starter might not take it.
In order to pull the plugs, you will pull the intake manifold. You can spray a lot of WD40 in the cylinders & intake.
Does anyone know if too much WD40 will wreck the catalytic converter? Maybe you need to drop the exhaust before you run a lot of WD40 thru it.
Then change the oil & filter again, and add extra oil. Crank it some more with the plugs out. Check / change the power steering fluid, and the tranny fluid.
I bet you could find a forum for off-roaders that could give better info.
Good Luck!
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Elder User
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WD40 is only going to help if the engine has been sitting so long that the piston rings are frozen in place. If you have a busted bearing or rod (most likely happens when water is ingested into the engine), all of the WD40 in the world isn't going to help.
Adding extra motor oil is never a good idea, nor is it necessary.
Adding extra motor oil is never a good idea, nor is it necessary.
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