I’m so ashamed...

[HachiRokuX]

Hey everyone, it was raining heavily the other day and I drove my lowered (probably 2-3 inches lower than stock) car through a pretty deep puddle. It was probably about as high as the lowest point of the bumper if not a little higher.

The car did not stall or break down mid puddle but will there be long term damage? I noticed a bit of smoke/steam under the car after I parked. I’m very concerned as sometimes it takes months/years for damage to show up from what I’ve read (even engine failure is possible)

The car has been running fine the past couple days but something kinda feels off.


I will never let this happen again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by HachiRokuX

Hey everyone, it was raining heavily the other day and I drove my lowered (probably 2-3 inches lower than stock) car through a pretty deep puddle. It was probably about as high as the lowest point of the bumper if not a little higher.

The car did not stall or break down mid puddle but will there be long term damage? I noticed a bit of smoke/steam under the car after I parked. I’m very concerned as sometimes it takes months/years for damage to show up from what I’ve read (even engine failure is possible)

The car has been running fine the past couple days but something kinda feels off.


I will never let this happen again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

don't do that no more!

Well, if your engine is still running, it didn't hydro-lock, so that's good.

Unless your car gives you a trouble code, I wouldn't worry about it.


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Assuming that the check valves in both diff and trans breathers are functioning properly, you're fine. If either have ever been broken, you'd have had much bigger problems in the first place.

[Mr.ac]

Do not listen to those two, with their logic.
Your car is fucked. Don't bother trying to fix it, it's totaled.
Never ever drive over any puddle, let alone drive in the rain. You should know better.
You are getting water all over your car. It's not a jet ski.

I would tow it over to a junkyard and have it crushed. It's already flood damaged.

Next time buy your self a new Honda Civic Si. Those are made buy the same people that do jet skis. So they can actually drive over puddles.

[soundman98]

I'll take it for $10

[Ultramaroon]

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Do not listen to those two, with their logic.
Your car is fucked. Don't bother trying to fix it, it's totaled.
Never ever drive over any puddle, let alone drive in the rain. You should know better.
You are getting water all over your car. It's not a jet ski.

I would tow it over to a junkyard and have it crushed. It's already flood damaged.

Next time buy your self a new Honda Civic Si. Those are made buy the same people that do jet skis. So they can actually drive over puddles.

I see that ol Mr.ac, must have gotten some more Civics in stock -


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by HachiRokuX

I will never let this happen again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, don't be too hard on yourself, a lot of us have had to find that out the hard way. My lesson was on a spring day on my way to work at our corporate headquarters in Westport, CT (read blue pin stripped 3 piece suit) in my 1970 MGB-GT.

I always took the back, twisty roads to work, when I ran across a part of the road that was flooded. I've told this story before (let's see if ol @Tcoat is awake). Well, I didn't make it, my MG sputtered and stopped mid stream.

I took off my shoes, put my briefcase on the higher jump seat in the back, rolled up my pants legs and exited the car - feeling pretty stupid.

Luck for me, a fellow it a pickup truck offered to pull my car up on higher ground. Then I took my T-shirt off (NO, I didn't have a rag in the car) and proceeded to dry off the spark plug wires, the distributer cap, points and condenser with my T-shirt. The old MG fired right up - and I proceeded on to work.

Yep, lesson learned -


humfrz

[Clutch Dog]

The steam was probably the radiator. if youve never waded through water or rallied it would spook anyone.

I remember the first time I took my wrx through some mud after pulling off to watch another friend go for it my car was "smoking" pretty badly. it was just the mud drying on the radiator and intercooler.

[soundman98]

Seriously, its nothing. The hood insulation probably got some water on it from the belts spinning it up and you saw that evaporating. The intake is up at the top of the motor, not likely for water to enter it unless water came up over the hood. And then you'll know you have a problem when it sounds like someone's using a hammer withing the motor

[Spuds]

Your exhaust was hot. Your exhaust is at the bottom of the car. The bottom of the car was wet.

Also the radiator.

Like everyone else said... I guess...

[Atmo]

That's why they're called accidents. This might help, it's what I do after off-roading involving water crossings:

-- Turn off the engine and accessories
-- Spray as much surface area of both radiators (engine and a/c) with a non-corrosive like Simple Green and let sit for a few minutes
-- Some systems have easily removable covers over the top of the radiators that give you access to the in between area that can hold more crap
-- Using a low pressure water source and spray head or wand, rinse the radiators from top down, then back to front to blow out residue
-- Avoid contacting the fragile radiator fins with the showerhead or wand, they bend easily and can reduce cooling efficiency
-- If it was a marine environment and in FL the puddle might have salt water mixed in, do the same for the undercarriage and rinse by moving an oscillating lawn sprinkler around underneath the car. That might not work on your lowered car so a commercial coin-op car wash will have a wand that should work if their detergent is safe
-- Check that the "frame" rail plugs are still in place and if not, get a wand nozzle up there to flush out the rails then get some replacement plugs at the dealership

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Atmo

-- If it was a marine environment and in FL the puddle might have salt water mixed in

Excellent point. Went back to check on OP's location. Slapped my forehead.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Oh, don't be too hard on yourself, a lot of us have had to find that out the hard way. My lesson was on a spring day on my way to work at our corporate headquarters in Westport, CT (read blue pin stripped 3 piece suit) in my 1970 MGB-GT.

I always took the back, twisty roads to work, when I ran across a part of the road that was flooded. I've told this story before (let's see if ol @Tcoat is awake). Well, I didn't make it, my MG sputtered and stopped mid stream.

I took off my shoes, put my briefcase on the higher jump seat in the back, rolled up my pants legs and exited the car - feeling pretty stupid.

Luck for me, a fellow it a pickup truck offered to pull my car up on higher ground. Then I took my T-shirt off (NO, I didn't have a rag in the car) and proceeded to dry off the spark plug wires, the distributer cap, points and condenser with my T-shirt. The old MG fired right up - and I proceeded on to work.

Yep, lesson learned -


humfrz

British cars, built like tractors due to the effing state of our roads.. Our potholes swallow cars whole hence why I don't drive my BRZeee.. BTW, didn't realise a MGB GT had a 'jump seat'. I ran a MGC GT, didn't appreciate the rear seat until one night I had drive a few drunk receptionists home after a very boozy company night out... long story so won't bore you guys..