So I hit a somewhat deep water hole behind the dunes in Corolla, NC. All the sudden, we hit a bump and the engine quit, leaving us stuck but with engine above water and higher than the rear. We had hit water holes the day before that were a lot deeper and nothing happened. We got a tow out and I tried to start it on dry sand and it just whines.

Symptoms:
Whining like starter isn't engaging flywheel
Belt doesn't turn, tried putting in drive and pulling it, still didn't turn (because of torque converter?)
No noise when trying to start in Drive, nothing happens

Right now it's stuck behind the dunes and I'm down a Jeep. What should I try in the morning. Someone mentioned removing the spark plugs and turning it because it is possibly hydroloked. The engine wasn't ever fully submerged so I don't think this is it.

Also my exhaust has a slight hole in it. It was submerged for a while so maybe water got in? How dangerous is this.

Thanks guys. I need to get it back and running asap.

 

pull the starter and clean it/dry it, or put a new starter in. The starter is engauging but the gear isnt coming out and spinning the flywheel. That will get it cranking, but may not get it started if there is another problem.

 

Okay sounds good. Will try this tomorrow. Should I get some WD-40?

 

What about my exhaust issue?

 

Exhaust shouldn't cause a problem, the valves only open to let the pressure out of the cylinders so there is never suction from the exhaust pipe

 

Even just runnin in normal conditions with the hole, I should be good?

 

I would try tapping the starter with a hammer or wrench to maybe get the gear to engage to get it home. I personally don't like tearing mine apart in the middle of nowhere when I can avoid it. When i say tap I mean tap not beat.

 

These starters are the absolute easiest in the world. Remove it and take it apart. Clean the crap out of it. WD-40 sucks.

 

What should I clean it with?

And I already tried tapping it when we first got stuck.

 

BrakeKleen is fine.

 

buy a starter

 

CRC Lectra-motive
Your local auto parts store should have it.

I've dunked more than my fare share of starters and alternators, this stuff works most of the time.

 

CORRECT!
do not use anything else.
good tip.

 

Well there are no auto parts stores around... Dang.

 

You don't have to fully submerge the engine to hydrolock it - you just have to get a gulp of water into the intake, and that can easily happen when you're splashing through large puddles due to the location of the stock air cleaner.

Even if just one cylinder is filled with water, the engine will be locked up.

BUT it doesn't necessarily sound like this is the case.. so do what was suggested about the starter, and if that doesn't help, then start to worry.

I did successfully revive my 96 Cutlass with the 3.1 after hydrolocking it in a flooded out parking lot. 3 cylinders had water in them. I pulled the plugs, sprayed a bunch of WD40 into the cylinders, then cranked it over some.. sprayed more, cranked it more.. eventually the water was all gone.

Did two immediate oil changes (to help flush out any water left behind).

Gave me another problem free 10k miles before I sold it.