I have a 2007 6.0. I was attempting to park in a flooded parking lot at work, when my front end slipped off in a drainage ditch. Before I could put it in 4 wheel drive and get out, the Check Air Filter light came on, and the engine died out. The engine was not completely under water, but it wasnt to far from it. Now when I try and crank it, the motor turns over only about 1/2 inch at a time, and it doesnt start. At first I thought that maybe enough water got in the intake and is sitting on top of the pistons. But after I checked out the air filter, it was just barely damp, and there were still dry bugs at the bottom of the air filter housing. It only looks like there was a small mist of water that was sucked in, not enough to cause any damage. I was told by a mechanic, that there probably is a sensor that detects the lack of airflow, or excess of water, that tripped as soon as the water intered the air filter box. Is this likely the cause of my problem. Thanks for any help.



As if that wasnt enough, we tried pulling it out of the ditch not knowing that the front drivers side tire was hung up under a culvert. I ended up screwing up the front end pretty bad. But i can deal with that. I waiting on a call from the ford service shop, to let me know how much engine damage was actually done. But they havent looked at it yet, and im just anxious to know how bad it is.

This is a pic after the water came down quite a bit later on that morning.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...204989&width=0

 

Well one good thing is you will be covered by insurance if you have full coverage. Good luck and sorry to hear about that.

 

I am really sorry to hear / see the nightmare you were in. As CJ50 said, at least the insurance should help if there is other damage. Keep us posted on what the dealer finds and what they want to do to fix it.

 

Good God!!!!!

How the hell did you do that?!?

It depends on how the insurance company wants to look at it; they'll probably say it negligence and just not cover it. How you explain things also plays a big parton whether they'll cover it or not...

 

Anyone know if there are any sensors like the ones suggested in my original post?

 

Since you got the "check air filter" light (which indicates severe restriction) submerging the air intake must have almost shutdown the air flow fairly quickly. I seem to recall a past thread on a similar topic (safety shutdown on low air flow), but I can not recall for sure. I will do some searching, but hopefully a tech can jump in with an official answer.

I have a friend who had a similar experience in a car after a Hurricane. His learning was: "Once the car dies from the water intake, resist the urge to try to re-start". Many bad things can happen with an incompressible fluid inside a high compression system. A good learning - one that I hope I would remember, if the time ever comes.

As I said in my PM to you - I hope you get the help you need and all turns out well.

 

For now, this is all I could find (it indicates that a plugged intake will "stall" your truck - no big surprise, I just don't know how quickly):

Chart 2

• Stalls/Quits: Idle, Acceleration, Cruise, Deceleration

Carry out the following preliminary checks:

• Engine for correct oil level/quality.
• Electrical connections.
• Automatic transmission — torque converter operation, always applied.
• Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) level.
• Engine overheating.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 border=1><TBODY><TR><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>SYSTEM/COMPONENT</TH><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>REFERENCE (Section 5 Pinpoint Test unless noted)</TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Check For Cold Weather Stall</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>If the engine restarts after a stall, the oil return to the oil pan may be too slow. CONFIRM the correct grade of oil for frigid conditions. CHANGE the oil if necessary.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Check Performance Diagnostics</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>GO to Section 4 , Diagnostic Subroutines Performance Diagnostic Procedures. CARRY OUT the Performance Diagnostic Procedures.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Check Torque Converter Operation If Stalls at Idle</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>REFER to the Workshop Manual Section 307-01 Automatic Transmission.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Check Air Intake System</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Visually INSPECT the air inlet for obstructions/restrictions. REPAIR as necessary. RESET the air filter restriction gauge.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Check Reference Voltage (VREF)</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>GO to Pinpoint Test B .</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>CHECK RPM Signal</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>GO to Section 4 , Diagnostic Subroutines Hard Start/No Start Diagnostic Procedures. CARRY OUT the Check the RPM Signal While Cranking Test.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

if you got any water in the engine i would highly recommend not to attempt to start the engine you will put excessive strain on the engines internals and possibly cause more unwanted damage in the process. the best recommendation to tell you would be to have the truck towed to a good dealer who will estimate the damage, probably drain all coolant, oil, intercooler? and probably remove the injectors to see if their is any water that was injested internally in the engine. they may even give you a reman or short block engine if the damage is severe enough. hope you have a good extended warranty and good auto insurance policy, this may or may not be covered under either of them.
good luck with this problem.

 

I had it towed to a Ford dealership the same day, im just waiting on a word back from them. I think that the air filter restriction gauge may be the problem. My insurance company will cover the damages, being it was cause by the accident. I should find out more on Monday. Thanks for reposting guys.