Flood Damage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

matapalo · 01-02-2006, 03:15 PM

Woke up to 4 feet of water and mud in my backyard on New Year Eve day. Unfortuately the flood alarms didn't go off for some reason and by the time we got up it was to late (see pic below.)

First question: I have a friend that insists that it's ok to start and drive a car when it's tailpipes are submerged in water so long as nothing is draining into the intake. I've always heard that it's ok to have the pipes under water as long as you've got a lot of pressure being forced out of them, but as soon as you release the accelerator or go into compression you will suck water into the engine and all sort of unmentionable things will happen. What's the truth?

Next question: How to safely get my burb back on the road? Here's what I've gathered so far from a few sources:

- Drain oil, tranny, transfer case, front and rear differentials and refill with fresh fluids.

- Pull spark plugs and spray a little WD40 into the holes. Put a little carb cleaner down in the carb and turn the engine over a few times with the plugs out to flush any water out of the intake.

- Start it up.

Anything I've forgotten? Is there anything special I should do with the fuse box? When I released the gas cap there was a big pressure release so I don't think any water got into the tank. It's a fairly new engine and a brand new tranny so I want to be really thorough before fireing it up. Any advice will be greatly appriciated!!!!!

*FUNMUDDER* · 01-02-2006, 03:44 PM

Sounds like a good plan. I would probably turn the engine over by hand or with a bar to get the water out of the cylinders if its brand new. Also just for insurance, put some dry gas in the gas tank. That will help get water out of her system.

Mudder · 01-02-2006, 03:53 PM

WD 40 is good for getting moisture of of places it shouldn't be for electrical.

b454rat · 01-02-2006, 04:27 PM

I had a motor that water got into somehow. I pulled the plugs and cranked the engine over. When no more came out, put the plugs in and tried to fire it. You want to be careful if there still is some water in there, when the cylinder fires, it will create steam and crack the block. (Ask me how I know that

) Might want to check the oil BEFORE you start it, and if its high on the stick or looks like chocolate milk, don't drink it, drain it. After you change start it, then change it again to get any water that might be left. Definitely check the trans and rear. Gas tank too. Sorry to hear bout that.

RANDY COX · 01-02-2006, 09:49 PM

That's a very sad picture,hate to see any chevy Specially a (BURB) under water,And just think I was upset when it rained here today way over in VA,I'm simpathizing for ya.After seeing that I'm not upset anymore.

Prerunner1982 · 01-03-2006, 10:52 AM

matapalo, send some, just some, not all of that this way... we have fires burning us to the ground and no moisture in site.. youll have way too much wet stuff.. not that i would send fire your way or anything.. crazy stuff going on... the front that are dropping soo much rain on the west coast.. by the time they get here all they have is wind, all the moisture has fallen out of them... so it just fuels the fire..

Prerunner1982 · 01-03-2006, 10:55 AM

as far as starting a car with the pipe underwater, i wouldnt do it.. why do you think the mlitary raises the tail pipes on hmmwvs, when they install fording kits? if it didnt matter they wouldnt do it.. if it was already running i think it would be ok, but i wouldnt try starting it, the water is already too far up in the system, it might actualy cause it not to start... tell your buddy to try it with his own car first see what happens..

**Yukon Jack** · 01-03-2006, 01:52 PM

Sad pic, hope you get it back up and running with minimal problems.

stan79chevy · 01-04-2006, 07:09 PM

it wouldnt be a bad idea to change the oil again after you run it a few miles.

stan

75sierraclassic · 01-04-2006, 07:46 PM

as long as the water didn't get up to the exhaust port and only in your pipes, you are fine. I would also bar the engine over first. I haven't heard of creating steam, but as you know water doesn't compress, so you can bend a valve or bust a piston by turning it over with the starter. I would first take out the spark plugs and put some oil in each cylinder, then turn it over with the starter, the oil will provide extra lube and it should spit out any water in cylinder.
Good Luck

01-02-2006, 03:15 PM	#1
matapalo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 28	Flood Damage Woke up to 4 feet of water and mud in my backyard on New Year Eve day. Unfortuately the flood alarms didn't go off for some reason and by the time we got up it was to late (see pic below.) First question: I have a friend that insists that it's ok to start and drive a car when it's tailpipes are submerged in water so long as nothing is draining into the intake. I've always heard that it's ok to have the pipes under water as long as you've got a lot of pressure being forced out of them, but as soon as you release the accelerator or go into compression you will suck water into the engine and all sort of unmentionable things will happen. What's the truth? Next question: How to safely get my burb back on the road? Here's what I've gathered so far from a few sources: - Drain oil, tranny, transfer case, front and rear differentials and refill with fresh fluids. - Pull spark plugs and spray a little WD40 into the holes. Put a little carb cleaner down in the carb and turn the engine over a few times with the plugs out to flush any water out of the intake. - Start it up. Anything I've forgotten? Is there anything special I should do with the fuse box? When I released the gas cap there was a big pressure release so I don't think any water got into the tank. It's a fairly new engine and a brand new tranny so I want to be really thorough before fireing it up. Any advice will be greatly appriciated!!!!! Attached Images __________________ 1972 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban 1978 Chevy Luv 1967 Ford Mustang Conv

01-02-2006, 03:44 PM	#2
FUNMUDDER Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 427	Re: Flood Damage Sounds like a good plan. I would probably turn the engine over by hand or with a bar to get the water out of the cylinders if its brand new. Also just for insurance, put some dry gas in the gas tank. That will help get water out of her system.

01-02-2006, 03:53 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Flood Damage WD 40 is good for getting moisture of of places it shouldn't be for electrical.

01-02-2006, 04:27 PM	#4
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: Flood Damage I had a motor that water got into somehow. I pulled the plugs and cranked the engine over. When no more came out, put the plugs in and tried to fire it. You want to be careful if there still is some water in there, when the cylinder fires, it will create steam and crack the block. (Ask me how I know that ) Might want to check the oil BEFORE you start it, and if its high on the stick or looks like chocolate milk, don't drink it, drain it. After you change start it, then change it again to get any water that might be left. Definitely check the trans and rear. Gas tank too. Sorry to hear bout that. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

01-02-2006, 09:49 PM	#5
RANDY COX Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: RADFORD, VA Posts: 2,651	Re: Flood Damage That's a very sad picture,hate to see any chevy Specially a (BURB) under water,And just think I was upset when it rained here today way over in VA,I'm simpathizing for ya.After seeing that I'm not upset anymore. __________________ 1964 BBC 402 4x4

01-03-2006, 10:52 AM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Flood Damage matapalo, send some, just some, not all of that this way... we have fires burning us to the ground and no moisture in site.. youll have way too much wet stuff.. not that i would send fire your way or anything.. crazy stuff going on... the front that are dropping soo much rain on the west coast.. by the time they get here all they have is wind, all the moisture has fallen out of them... so it just fuels the fire.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

01-03-2006, 10:55 AM	#7
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Flood Damage as far as starting a car with the pipe underwater, i wouldnt do it.. why do you think the mlitary raises the tail pipes on hmmwvs, when they install fording kits? if it didnt matter they wouldnt do it.. if it was already running i think it would be ok, but i wouldnt try starting it, the water is already too far up in the system, it might actualy cause it not to start... tell your buddy to try it with his own car first see what happens..

01-03-2006, 01:52 PM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: Flood Damage Sad pic, hope you get it back up and running with minimal problems. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-04-2006, 07:09 PM	#9
stan79chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: COVINGTON GEORGIA Posts: 477	Re: Flood Damage it wouldnt be a bad idea to change the oil again after you run it a few miles. stan __________________ 79 chevy k20 350/350/205/D44/14bFF 4.56 gears rock LWB pimer black 01 S-10 ZR2 extended cab 4.3/4L60E/233 3.73 gear 31" DICK CEPEK CRUSHERS

01-04-2006, 07:46 PM	#10
75sierraclassic Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 186	Re: Flood Damage as long as the water didn't get up to the exhaust port and only in your pipes, you are fine. I would also bar the engine over first. I haven't heard of creating steam, but as you know water doesn't compress, so you can bend a valve or bust a piston by turning it over with the starter. I would first take out the spark plugs and put some oil in each cylinder, then turn it over with the starter, the oil will provide extra lube and it should spit out any water in cylinder. Good Luck



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