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Fit in flash flood, car died won't start

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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 11:26 PM
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Fit in flash flood, car died won't start

We have had an ongoing 6-7 inches of rain tonight, and attempting to get home I drove into water near my bumper. My car died (all the other cars driving through this water had no trouble).

The car has power from the battery, but if you try to start it you just get a click....and the car looks like it has no power.
I pulled the airfilter, and its soaked but the intake manifold is dump but not sopping wet. I'm not sure if the airfilter acted as a sponge to stop it...

Car is still sitting in a parking lot...the locals (here in New Orleans) around here swear this happens all the time and the car will likely be ok if I let it dry. (Streets are peppered with cars that are stranded in some areas and were just left on high ground off the street)
I'm pretty upset and worried.

07 Fit base.
 
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 11:29 PM
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Do you have a Cold Air Intake? Or the stock airbox?
 
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 11:31 PM
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Stock. Cold air intake in this town is car suicide. :P
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 01:34 AM
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If you hydrolocked it, it may be the end of your engine. Read these threads.

Hydrolock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to: Fix A Hydrolocked Engine - ClubCivic.com - Honda Civic Forum

You may get lucky. Try removing the fuel pump relay and the spark plugs then crank the engine. If it cranks and pumps out water then put every thing back and see if it will start. I don't know that this is what is wrong with your car, but it is my best guess.
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 10:52 AM
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if all you get is one click and it isn't trying to turnover, check the starter.
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 01:18 PM
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Did you let off the gas when you were in the deep water?
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 01:26 PM
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i would pull the spark plugs and crank it to blow out the water and try again.. you MIGHT be lucky
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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car still wont start.

Iam having it towed to the honda dealer but so many cars flooded out last night (i saw alot of newer civics especially) who knows...


This is truely shitty (especially as i cant afford to'pay my deductible)
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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For what it's worth, your auto insurance policy covers water damage under comprehensive coverage.
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 04:30 PM
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well the 1000 deductible and being unemployed kinda sucks.


I had a local in the car who told me to gun it through the water however i was trying to leave a parking deck. I may have hesitated i dont know. I dont get how the airfilter got wet, the valve cover was obviously dry and the water was THAT high
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 04:32 PM
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wasnt that high,


Sorry on phone sitting in dead car waiting for tow
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 04:38 PM
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wasnt that high,


Sorry on phone sitting in dead car waiting for tow
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 04:58 PM
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hang in there. keep us updated.
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Vampgrrl
well the 1000 deductible and being unemployed kinda sucks.


I had a local in the car who told me to gun it through the water however i was trying to leave a parking deck. I may have hesitated i dont know. I dont get how the airfilter got wet, the valve cover was obviously dry and the water was THAT high
the guy told you to gun it? so you make SURE you need a new engine afterwards?? youd blow a hole in your block after you bend the rods..

i hydrolocked my accord driving really slow one through a flooded road one time, pushed the car off to the side, pulled the plugs, cranked the motor to pump out the water, and drove it home..
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 10:17 PM
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Finally got it towed to Honda...when the tow drive put it on the flatbed some water came out of the bottom of the car.

I talked to a friend who did destroy her Volvo engine in a similar storm. She said her engine sputtered and shook before it cut off, of course mine just quietly died (probably shouldn't read too much into that).

And yeah my friend who is a local said to gun it, but she got mad at me because she said I didn't do it aggressively enough.

Hopefully they'll get a look at it tomorrow and I'll find it either way.
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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sigh... hopefully it's just a matter of replacing some fuses and blowing out a sensor or two. Fingers crossed.
 
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 12:19 AM
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when i had my beater truck id gun it through the puddles only because it would sputter and start to die when water would go on the alternator... and cuz it was fun as hell
 
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Vampgrrl
well the 1000 deductible and being unemployed kinda sucks.
Well, $1,000.00 is a lot cheaper than paying for a new engine!
 
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 09:57 AM
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Let us know...
 
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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Engine is toast.

He can't tell me its a total loss and has to get authorization from insurance on what to do next...

Geico says their computer before the adjuster comes out as a partial loss
Honda mechanic thinks it is a total loss.
 



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