High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
#1
High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
I learned this weekend that you must NEVER try to drive through waterlogged roads, especially in a Mustang. Ever. Here's what happened...
I hit high water in my car last night on the way home during the torrential downpours that were soaking Houston... Car stalled out, had to push it into a driveway to get it out of the water. Came back around 8am today and tried to start it up, unfortunately there was water in the piston compartments and my small block blew open.
Engine is completely ruined. Going to take it to a mechanic tomorrow and have them take a look at it, but i'm fairly sure that i'll either have to replace the small block and pay extensive labor cost, or replace the entire engine and overall pay less. As well i'm considering renting an engine harness/crane and doing the engine swap myself.
I was hoping one of you guys or gals might have some advice or recommendations as to a plan of action, or perhaps some of you Houston Crew could recommend me an affordable mechanic and/or engine supplier? Either way, i'd appreciate it.
Car is 2000 3.8L Ford Mustang and it can fit '99 or '00 mustang engines.
Thanks in advance and please, wish me luck.
P.S. Do. Not. Drive. Through. Watery. Roads. In. Cars. Period!
[X(] [] [:@]
I hit high water in my car last night on the way home during the torrential downpours that were soaking Houston... Car stalled out, had to push it into a driveway to get it out of the water. Came back around 8am today and tried to start it up, unfortunately there was water in the piston compartments and my small block blew open.
Engine is completely ruined. Going to take it to a mechanic tomorrow and have them take a look at it, but i'm fairly sure that i'll either have to replace the small block and pay extensive labor cost, or replace the entire engine and overall pay less. As well i'm considering renting an engine harness/crane and doing the engine swap myself.
I was hoping one of you guys or gals might have some advice or recommendations as to a plan of action, or perhaps some of you Houston Crew could recommend me an affordable mechanic and/or engine supplier? Either way, i'd appreciate it.
Car is 2000 3.8L Ford Mustang and it can fit '99 or '00 mustang engines.
Thanks in advance and please, wish me luck.
P.S. Do. Not. Drive. Through. Watery. Roads. In. Cars. Period!
[X(] [] [:@]
#2
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
That sucks man. Why not drop a different engine in it, rather than just replacing the 3.8?
Anyways, I NEVER drive through high water, especially since my CAI is aftermarket now, I won't risk it.
Anyways, I NEVER drive through high water, especially since my CAI is aftermarket now, I won't risk it.
#3
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
Reliability is more important than performance for me, at this point in my life. I'm a junior at the University of Houston, working a full-time CO-OP while taking part-time classes, and I simply need to get my car back together and running so I can get back to the run of things. As well, money is a huge obstacle because i'm currently paying tuition, car note, and other expenses entirely on my own.
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
#4
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
ORIGINAL: Lasu
Reliability is more important than performance for me, at this point in my life. I'm a junior at the University of Houston, working a full-time CO-OP while taking part-time classes, and I simply need to get my car back together and running so I can get back to the run of things. As well, money is a huge obstacle because i'm currently paying tuition, car note, and other expenses entirely on my own.
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
Reliability is more important than performance for me, at this point in my life. I'm a junior at the University of Houston, working a full-time CO-OP while taking part-time classes, and I simply need to get my car back together and running so I can get back to the run of things. As well, money is a huge obstacle because i'm currently paying tuition, car note, and other expenses entirely on my own.
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
I'm a little confused by your story. You said the car stalled out? Then you got home and there was water in the "cylinder compartment" and your "smallblock had blown open".
Where did the block break? How do you know there was water in the cylinders? What do you mean by cylinder "compartment"? Have you got the engine torn down?
Usually water through the intake will just stall the engine before it does any real damage, not completely blow it apart.
Could you give us a few more details please.
#5
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
ORIGINAL: MikeHawke
Reliability with a V8 is not an issue.
I'm a little confused by your story. You said the car stalled out? Then you got home and there was water in the "cylinder compartment" and your "smallblock had blown open".
Where did the block break? How do you know there was water in the cylinders? What do you mean by cylinder "compartment"? Have you got the engine torn down?
Usually water through the intake will just stall the engine before it does any real damage, not completely blow it apart.
Could you give us a few more details please.
ORIGINAL: Lasu
Reliability is more important than performance for me, at this point in my life. I'm a junior at the University of Houston, working a full-time CO-OP while taking part-time classes, and I simply need to get my car back together and running so I can get back to the run of things. As well, money is a huge obstacle because i'm currently paying tuition, car note, and other expenses entirely on my own.
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
Reliability is more important than performance for me, at this point in my life. I'm a junior at the University of Houston, working a full-time CO-OP while taking part-time classes, and I simply need to get my car back together and running so I can get back to the run of things. As well, money is a huge obstacle because i'm currently paying tuition, car note, and other expenses entirely on my own.
At this point i'm going to get a few estimates done, but i'm thinking my best option would be to have my engine rebuilt or replaced completely as opposed to doing it myself. I really don't know. This is just a really bad situation. [X(]
I'm a little confused by your story. You said the car stalled out? Then you got home and there was water in the "cylinder compartment" and your "smallblock had blown open".
Where did the block break? How do you know there was water in the cylinders? What do you mean by cylinder "compartment"? Have you got the engine torn down?
Usually water through the intake will just stall the engine before it does any real damage, not completely blow it apart.
Could you give us a few more details please.
Huge hole in my small block... Pieces of metal from the enclosure are on the ground, oil or lubrication or a mixture of both begin to leak everywhere. Haven't tried to turn the engine on since then, waiting to have a mechanic check it out later this afternoon. [X(]
I understand that reliability in a V8 isn't a concern, but converting a V6 transmission/engine comparment to support a V8 engine could jeapordize reliability. No?
#6
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
man, that's kinda strange. You should smack your buddy for breaking your car LOL.
If you are replacing the engine anyway, a V8 swap is not that big of a deal, but it would be more expensive than putting in another sixxer.
You should really have a mechanic look at it because it still sounds kinda strange. the motor should not have blown apart like that. The kind of damage that you are describing is usually a high RPM grenade situation. I have never even seen anything like what you are talking about. I had a truck that was completely under water for over an hour and once i changed the fluids, it actually started right up with the same wires, coil and everything. Drove the fugger for a couple more years before the trans finally went.
If you are replacing the engine anyway, a V8 swap is not that big of a deal, but it would be more expensive than putting in another sixxer.
You should really have a mechanic look at it because it still sounds kinda strange. the motor should not have blown apart like that. The kind of damage that you are describing is usually a high RPM grenade situation. I have never even seen anything like what you are talking about. I had a truck that was completely under water for over an hour and once i changed the fluids, it actually started right up with the same wires, coil and everything. Drove the fugger for a couple more years before the trans finally went.
#7
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
well what happens is the water doesnt allow the pistons to go up all the way and usually breaks the rod if you keep trying to turn it over,but all you had to do is just take the plugs out and crank it and all the water would have shot out the plug holes and you would have been fine but most likely its to late now!I think he means the block is broken but keeps refering to it as his "small block" ost likely he broke a rod and put it threw the block which in that case he will need a whole new motor.If you do need a motor I would just get a used 5.0 and have a mechanic throw it in cause a new 3.8 will most likely cost just as much as a used 5.0 motor
#8
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
ORIGINAL: MikeHawke
man, that's kinda strange. You should smack your buddy for breaking your car LOL.
If you are replacing the engine anyway, a V8 swap is not that big of a deal, but it would be more expensive than putting in another sixxer.
You should really have a mechanic look at it because it still sounds kinda strange. the motor should not have blown apart like that. The kind of damage that you are describing is usually a high RPM grenade situation. I have never even seen anything like what you are talking about. I had a truck that was completely under water for over an hour and once i changed the fluids, it actually started right up with the same wires, coil and everything. Drove the fugger for a couple more years before the trans finally went.
man, that's kinda strange. You should smack your buddy for breaking your car LOL.
If you are replacing the engine anyway, a V8 swap is not that big of a deal, but it would be more expensive than putting in another sixxer.
You should really have a mechanic look at it because it still sounds kinda strange. the motor should not have blown apart like that. The kind of damage that you are describing is usually a high RPM grenade situation. I have never even seen anything like what you are talking about. I had a truck that was completely under water for over an hour and once i changed the fluids, it actually started right up with the same wires, coil and everything. Drove the fugger for a couple more years before the trans finally went.
ORIGINAL: 99saleen351r
well what happens is the water doesnt allow the pistons to go up all the way and usually breaks the rod if you keep trying to turn it over,but all you had to do is just take the plugs out and crank it and all the water would have shot out the plug holes and you would have been fine but most likely its to late now!I think he means the block is broken but keeps refering to it as his "small block" ost likely he broke a rod and put it threw the block which in that case he will need a whole new motor.If you do need a motor I would just get a used 5.0 and have a mechanic throw it in cause a new 3.8 will most likely cost just as much as a used 5.0 motor
well what happens is the water doesnt allow the pistons to go up all the way and usually breaks the rod if you keep trying to turn it over,but all you had to do is just take the plugs out and crank it and all the water would have shot out the plug holes and you would have been fine but most likely its to late now!I think he means the block is broken but keeps refering to it as his "small block" ost likely he broke a rod and put it threw the block which in that case he will need a whole new motor.If you do need a motor I would just get a used 5.0 and have a mechanic throw it in cause a new 3.8 will most likely cost just as much as a used 5.0 motor
#10
RE: High water? Turn your Mustang AROUND!
ORIGINAL: gettna05!
Switching to a bigger motor entails lots of "incidentals" (meaning $$$). A bigger alternator, maybe diff clutch or trans, engine module, radiator/fan, wire harnesses etc.
Switching to a bigger motor entails lots of "incidentals" (meaning $$$). A bigger alternator, maybe diff clutch or trans, engine module, radiator/fan, wire harnesses etc.
Thunderbolt, a reputed engine/transmission company here in Houston has quoted me $1295 for the motor and $600 in labor. Free towing as well. That's already steep, i'll be taking an advance from my company in order to pay this.
Anyone know what a good price would be? I still have some price comparison to do.