Please help!!! - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

stevexu95 · 06-17-2015, 05:55 PM

Hi everyone. Yesterday, I was dumb enough to drive my scion frs 2013 through water in a stormy day. The car stopped just after I went through the water and I couldn't get it started. I called a tow company and had it towed home.
At first when I tried to start it, the battery sign just keeps flashing. Now when I tried to start it all the interior signs kept flashing and it won't start.
I called some places and told them the problem, and they replied that I might need a new engine!
I haven't tried to jump start it because I'm afraid I would damage the car.

gramicci101 · 06-17-2015, 06:25 PM

When you say "through water," do you mean " through a puddle that splashed" or "through standing water higher than the leading edge of the bumper"?

stevexu95 · 06-17-2015, 06:51 PM

The latter

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bumppinKota · 06-17-2015, 06:55 PM

So the water was deep? Could've sucked up water. That's never fun.

gramicci101 · 06-17-2015, 06:58 PM

Wow, how deep was the puddle?

It's possible you got water into the intake, through the filter, and into the engine. The problem with that is that water is not compressible, so when the piston compresses the combustion chamber, expecting vaporized fuel and air, now it's facing a solid object that won't play. You can bend valves and cause random other havoc like that.

One thing you can do is pull the intake off, check to see if the filter is wet, and check to see if the intake tube leading to the throttle body is wet. If they are, then you potentially have a serious problem. You can also remove the spark plugs and turn the engine a few times by hand. This will pump any water out the spark plug holes. Then let it sit for a while and hopefully dry out before trying to start it.

bumppinKota · 06-17-2015, 07:01 PM

Like he said but i would add in spraying some oil in the cylinders the hole from where you removed the spark plugs. Helps with getting rid of the water. Also check the air flow sensor... Things of that sort.

stevexu95 · 06-17-2015, 07:03 PM

Thanks everyone. Could anyone provide a link as for how to remove spark plugs?

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gramicci101 · 06-17-2015, 07:06 PM

I didn't find any DIYs specifically on spark plugs, but here's a link to the service and shop manuals.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8448

Having replaced spark plugs on other Subarus, it's not difficult, it's just time consuming. You'll need a few extensions and universal joints to get in there, and don't let yourself get frustrated when things are in your way, just figure out how to move them or work around them.

Edit: Reading other forums, apparently you need to lift the engine slightly to get to the rear spark plugs.

humfrz · 06-17-2015, 07:47 PM

When you say "it won't start" do you mean the engine won't turn over OR the engine won't fire up ...... ??

Meanwhile, you may try pointing a fan into the engine compartment for a few hours ...... you might get lucky.

humfrz

soulreapersteve · 06-17-2015, 07:51 PM

Found a DIY for spark plugs. Hopefully this helps man! Wish you the best of luck.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88906

stevexu95 · 06-17-2015, 07:59 PM

I'll study this tonight and work tomorrow. Thanks everyone. I was so frustrated when I heard I have to get a new engine.

gramicci101 · 06-17-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevexu95

I'll study this tonight and work tomorrow. Thanks everyone. I was so frustrated when I heard I have to get a new engine.

You may still, but don't automatically jump to that point. Hopefully after the car dries out a bit it'll be fine. Take off the intake, take out the filter, let them all dry out while you're working on the spark plugs.

The Feds · 06-17-2015, 08:18 PM

Hope it all goes well.

I have to ask... Where does one drive in water that high? I'm assuming Lake Erie

strat61caster · 06-17-2015, 09:59 PM

Before removing the spark plugs we don't know what the symptoms are, it could be electrical with a fried battery or starter motor in which case spending an hour to get at the spark plugs may be a waste.

Electrical would be you turn the key and nothing happens.

An engine damaging problem would have likely come with a loud bang or horrible noises when trying to start.

Like said, I'd give it some time to dry out and give it a try tomorrow morning based on what I've read, unless you've heard horrible noises in which case don't screw with anything yourself and take it to a mechanic.

06-17-2015, 08:18 PM	#13
The Feds Government Issued Join Date: May 2015 Drives: Unicycle Location: La Vergne, TN Posts: 31 Thanks: 25 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hope it all goes well. I have to ask... Where does one drive in water that high? I'm assuming Lake Erie __________________ 2015 Crystal White Pearl BRZ Limited AT6 - Ordered & Waiting delivery

06-17-2015, 06:25 PM	#2
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	When you say "through water," do you mean " through a puddle that splashed" or "through standing water higher than the leading edge of the bumper"?

06-17-2015, 06:55 PM	#4
bumppinKota Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: FRS!!! Location: Colorado Posts: 202 Thanks: 262 Thanked 65 Times in 47 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So the water was deep? Could've sucked up water. That's never fun.

06-17-2015, 06:58 PM	#5
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Wow, how deep was the puddle? It's possible you got water into the intake, through the filter, and into the engine. The problem with that is that water is not compressible, so when the piston compresses the combustion chamber, expecting vaporized fuel and air, now it's facing a solid object that won't play. You can bend valves and cause random other havoc like that. One thing you can do is pull the intake off, check to see if the filter is wet, and check to see if the intake tube leading to the throttle body is wet. If they are, then you potentially have a serious problem. You can also remove the spark plugs and turn the engine a few times by hand. This will pump any water out the spark plug holes. Then let it sit for a while and hopefully dry out before trying to start it.

06-17-2015, 07:01 PM	#6
bumppinKota Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: FRS!!! Location: Colorado Posts: 202 Thanks: 262 Thanked 65 Times in 47 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Like he said but i would add in spraying some oil in the cylinders the hole from where you removed the spark plugs. Helps with getting rid of the water. Also check the air flow sensor... Things of that sort.

06-17-2015, 07:06 PM	#8
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I didn't find any DIYs specifically on spark plugs, but here's a link to the service and shop manuals. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8448 Having replaced spark plugs on other Subarus, it's not difficult, it's just time consuming. You'll need a few extensions and universal joints to get in there, and don't let yourself get frustrated when things are in your way, just figure out how to move them or work around them. Edit: Reading other forums, apparently you need to lift the engine slightly to get to the rear spark plugs.

06-17-2015, 07:47 PM	#9
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 30,409 Thanks: 29,793 Thanked 32,808 Times in 16,829 Posts Mentioned: 715 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	When you say "it won't start" do you mean the engine won't turn over OR the engine won't fire up ...... ?? Meanwhile, you may try pointing a fan into the engine compartment for a few hours ...... you might get lucky. humfrz

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