6

So, yesterday we had very heavy rains, and unfortunately I was driving in an unfamiliar area of town. I drove through high water, which caused my car to sputter and so I turned around. The car behaved normally until I got to higher ground and started to accelerate, then the car choked out and died. I was able to restart the car after attempting to turn over the engine for a few seconds. When it restarted, it was still sputtering, but upon revving it, it blew copious amounts of steam out the tailpipe and it appeared (and still appears) to be running fine.

I am concerned though about possible longer term damage that may have occurred. I figure at the very least an oil change is in order (water contamination in the oil from excess moisture in the compression chamber), although I also wonder if a compression test (could the presence of water in the combustion chamber have damaged the rings or seals?). I am also curious if steam could have damaged the iridium plugs. Is there anything else that should be considered for inspection?

For reference, the car in question is a 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse; it has a 2.4 mivec engine in it, and the (f$*#ing) previous owner has put an aftermarket intake with the filter behind the fog lights.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
  • 165,084
  • 32
  • 259
  • 508
Sidney
  • 1,090
  • 3
  • 13
  • 21

2 Answers2

7

It sounds as though you did suck up some water and were on the verge of hydrolock, but didn't quite get there. I also doubt you have caused any damage to the engine, in fact, you may have inadvertently helped your engine (though I wouldn't suggest you do this again!!!). The extra sputtering may have been a case of the filter on your CAI getting soaked with water. I think you got very lucky on this, but have probably come through unscathed.

I figure at the very least an oil change is in order (water contamination in the oil from excess moisture in the compression chamber), although I also wonder if a compression test (could the presence of water in the combustion chamber have damaged the rings or seals?).

Check the oil via dipstick. If the oil does not appear milky, I wouldn't worry about it. After oil is up to operating temperature, all of the water in it will evaporate fairly quickly and be taken out through the PCV and burned in the engine.

I am also curious if steam could have damaged the iridium plugs.

In and of itself, steam will not damage any engine parts (since we have eliminated the possibility of hydrolock here - excessive water will, that's for sure!). Think of water/meth injection systems. They put copious amounts of water (or water vapor) into an engine. As an aside, water injection can be used to effectively increase the octane of fuel, it cleans the combustion chambers, keeps NOx down due to the cooling effects as it enters the intake tract, etc. Also, given the right amounts, water expands greater when it becomes steam than the air/fuel does when burned. Obviously, if too much water is introduced, it will kill the combustion. Lots of water = bad; minor/measured amounts of water = good.

Is there anything else that should be considered for inspection?

Doing a leak down test could tell you if you might have any internal damage. The greatest possibility might be bent valves, but from your description of how it's running, I doubt there is any.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
  • 165,084
  • 32
  • 259
  • 508
1

You likely just steam cleaned the internals for a brief stint.

Just for good measure, here's what happens when you run the full output of your garden hose through a small car engine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSSSosql1zc#t=1m5s

Ehryk
  • 2,704
  • 2
  • 18
  • 32