Water in my engine!

[98infinity]

I went through quite a deep water hole, and my engine stalled...the air filter is soaked, and water definitly got into the engine, its a 4.0L if that matters. I ended up getting it started and drove like a mile home...but the engine is klacking like no end.....but it runs just fine....just now the klacking sound.....anyone? I think its ****ed, my dad thinks it just need to be dryed out so I plugged in the block heater oer night and will see tommorow....I dont think its Hydra locked cuz it runs....

Can anyone give me so insite....

[Wed Turner]

DO NOT RUN THE TRUCK ANYMORE! You need to pull all the spark plugs out of the truck. With the spark plugs out, have someone turn the motor over. Hopefully no water comes out. After than you need to do a fresh oil change. After that, replace the plugs and start it up. Pray that the klunk goes away. If not, you've spun a bearing and you'll need to rebuild your motor.

[98infinity]

so if I spun a bearing...is this a costly venture to get it fixed?

and so no water coming out = good?
and water coming out = bad?

also, would my engine still run if I have a broken or bent connecting rod...or something else?

[ochatesme]

By "klacking" do you mean that the engine is knocking? Is it idling smooth or rough, how's it accelerate and decelerate?

['03Ranger4X4XLT]

it will run if you spun a bearing, if it sounds like those old machine gun toys when you pull the trigger it goes lckkkkkkkkkkk, then yeah it will cost a pretty shiney penny to fix it, i spun 2 rod bearings in my eclipse before i got my truck on 2 differant motors, not cheap.

next time be wary of water crossings

[98infinity]

yeah the engine is knocking when I was driving it there is idled perfect and drove the same....just knocking all the way home.

I didnt go right under the water I was going to fast...I dont think must water got in thats why I dont think its that bad like a bent rod...

and yeah I sounds just like them old machine gun toys your talking about...

[4yanks]

I've never put my 4.0 under water. But, I have put military vehicles under water on a couple of occaisions. We just let them dry out, change fluids and they're fine.

[andre]

I've never put my 4.0 under water. But, I have put military vehicles under water on a couple of occaisions. We just let them dry out, change fluids and they're fine

if the engine is knocking it to late anyway. and corect me if i'm wrong but the military vehicles are kinda made for that crap not the ranger

[4yanks]

It is true that military vehicles are designed for environmental extremes but the internals are basically the same. So once the water is in it's the same. That wet filter creating more resistance to airflow, and moisture to the spark plugs can effect things similiarly.

[STOCKSPLASH]

My brother sees alot of hydrolocked engines at his shop. He says that every once in a while the water will come out of the engine AFTER it has done its damage. He also said that some engines he's seen would run with a bent rod but they would be noisy as all hell like in your case.

When you hydrolock an engine it will most likely bend the rod before it spins a bearing. My guess would be that you bent a rod and need a rebuild. But I would do everything else they said before pulling the engine.

['03Ranger4X4XLT]

yeah my eclipse did the same thing it just died going down the highway, when i finally got is started it shook violently before firing up and knocked like a mofo, id say bent rod and trashed rod bearings

[98infinity]

Well I didnt everything you said to do wed...and it still knocks....so, to the shop it goes... I dont have the money for this ****!

[Cale_88]

I did the same thing last night, except even with the plugs out my engine won't turn over! I think I buggered it up good. I have a line on another 4.0 from a '92 areostar for $800cdn(149,000km).

[Gerry]

I hate to say it but I think it's toast. It'll be cheaper to pickup a used 4.0 and drop it in instead of rebuilding the one you have. Dave (aka Rangercustom) might have an extra one kicking around because I know he was selling a bunch of 4.0 parts. Might be worth a PM to him.

Gerry

[98infinity]

do you mean me Gerry?

[The Strobe]

I have a 94 4.0L runs great. I am getting rid of it if someone wants to buy it or I will yank it out and rebuild it. It will need to be taken out though, I won't have the time to do it myself until christmas time frame.

[Gerry]

Never mind, I completely forgot you had a '98 4.0. Sorry about that.

[98infinity]

Well this is the plan...it runs right now...but it knocks...so ima run it and if it blows it blows...Im run it till I have to money to get the new engine....what ya'll think? im nuts I know!

[Wed Turner]

Well, unless you are planning on rebuilding the engine you ahve now, you can't really hurt it anymore than what you have. Just be ready for it to go at anytime. Make sure you have a cell phone and a number for a wrecker.

[98infinity]

would it be more expensive to get it rebuilt or just change engines

['03Ranger4X4XLT]

rebuild depending on how bad the bearing seats are warped, my eclipse's were egg shaped, and i didnt run it very much

[ochatesme]

Sometimes it's actually cheaper to swap in a new 4.0. I've seen a lot of 4.0's that come out of wrecked vehicles which people pay no more than $1500 for and swap it in themselves.

[98infinity]

Well everyone, looks like Wed was right it was a bearing and a bent rod...im getting a whole new engine in it! You're a smart man Wed!

should be done in 7 to 10 days depending when the engine gets here...

Thanks everyone for you're input!!!

[ochatesme]

Sucks to hear that you're engine's shot. Hey, at least on the bright side you are getting a new OHV. Did you ever consider swapping in a SOHC 4.0?

[98infinity]

I could swap in a SOHC...but I dont want to get into thatI just want it back the way it was.

Would be nice tho...

[ochatesme]

What kinda deal did you get on the new 4.0?

[98infinity]

$1000 bucks installed Canadian funds