Water in engine, car wont start, almost ended the celicas life tonight Options

[Akimbo]

So Iw as coming back from my ex's...driving about 60 on a country road...anyway long story short, we have had massive rain lately, i wasn't thinking of roadways being covered, but needless to say i stumbled upon one about 8 inches deep. I hit it full speed, 60 miles an hour, didn't even see it till the last second. Before i knew it I was in a 360 degere spin with half my car off the road. The spin sent water everywhere in huge amounts. When I had finally calmed down (Scared me to death, felt like the car was gonna roll and flip) I turned the car off because there was a lot of steam coming from under the hood. I turned the key but it didn't respond. It won't turn over. I think the spark plugs may have gotten wet. There's no way that enough water got into the intake to do damage.

I left the car at a locals place right by where I went off. I'm gonna go tomorrow to check the car out, it SOUNDS like I broke an axle too. But about the motor, what should I do tomorrow if it doesn't start? Can I take the spark plugs out or is that too risky? Any advice would be great.

[devilsden97]

not much help but, that really sucks man. Nothing is worse then the feeling have having no control over something.

Spark plugs might have gotten wet....pull the whole thing out, and let them sit out and dry. Put them back in and try to start it. If that doesnt work then im not sure.

[celicasteve]

i would just go back and try agian, stuff got wet, and it needs to dry out. Atleast that is what your hopeing for.

Steve

[Akimbo]

Would the cap and rotor be a good guess?

[jdg371]

dont try to start it untill your sure everthing is dry!!!

This happened to my friends neon.. he ran about 6inches of water.. it wont even crank anymore... high pressure air and use it all over the engine bay.. Im not sure but does ST have long spark plug tubes?? if they do.. try taking the wires off then vacuum or blow all the water in there off

Good Luck..

[DomGT]

It is very important that you give the car enough time to dry off. Before you start it at LEAST check the air filter, and pull the plugs (if water got into the engine they could be fouled). You have to be careful, IF you start the car with water in the motor you will hydrolock the motor and you'll be looking for a 3SGTE just to get your car rolling again.

Remember mechanics can bring flooded cars back to life, your car will be fine as long as you make sure its dry.

[Bitter]

if you think you got water into the engine you should ALWAYS pull the plugs before you try to crank it.

[trd94]

if there is water around the spark plugs dont remove them with out removing the water first , check your air filter if no water got in it then your engine should be fine , your cap and rotor i would check and dry out, also check all the plugs and wire connections around the bay and your fuse box,

[2003cbgts]

damn sorry to hear bout that.. hope u get it straighted out

[Akimbo]

im almost positive there isnt enough water that something got THAT damaged. just enough to get some things damped. But it still won't start as of today.

[soulshadow]

You would only have water in the engine if the engine bay got totally flooded or you have a CAI and it sucked up the water. Normally Water splashed all over your engine and it caused some steam from the manifold.
I say take a look at your fuses and see if someting got fried.

[DomGT]

Update?