Taco down: need info for flooding repairs

Well guys, I did it. Sunk my truck in the Verde River on Christmas day. Water was almost to the windows and the motor started to bog down so I shut it off, climbed out and waded to shore. Got help pulling it out and left it overnight. Last night I was able to pull the coil packs and spark plugs and crank it to get the water out, but it won't fire. No spark to the plugs. Got a recovery guy coming to tow it back to Chandler, but I need a shop to let me know the damages. Insurance won't cover a dime, so I'm in it deep.

Anyone with a good shop on the east side, let me know so I can get this figured out.

 

Damn that sucks man. What kind of restoration are you looking to do? Full - as in whatever it takes to get it running, plus all the interior work like replacing upholstery & carpet? Or just get her running and hope AZ is dry enough to air it out?

Also, did water actually get in the engine or not? Thats the big one in my mind. Do you have a snorkel that might have saved you? Was water over the hood?

 

There was water in the engine. It was over the hood, no snorkel. I shut it down, but there was still water in the airbox when I tried to crank it last night.

Probably looking to get it running and replace the seats and carpet and deal with the electronics as they show up.

 

Maybe a better question is: did any water come out of the cylinders when you pulled the plugs out and cranked it over?

I know there are a few threads on here about it. Search might lead you in the right direction

 

Check the oil for droplets of water, if there change oil and filter. Maybe flush out the gas line.

 

Yes, water came out when I cranked it with no plugs in. Oil looked clean and I could smell fuel when cranking it. Could still possibly flush the lines, but there wasn't any spark on the plugs.

 

Pull all of the electrical connections and dry them out with electronics cleaner, change the oil and replace the gas. That's where I'd start.

 

Bury it in rice for a week or so and you'll be OK.

 

You'll want to drain the diff, transfer case, and transmission once you get it running too and refill.
Coolant, and oil also.

Maybe @Jamesboy2233 could help you out! He's an expert now.

 

The motor of course will be an issue. But I’d be equally concerned about nearly every electronic on that truck being done for. You’ve got your work cut out for you boss

 

Personally, even if I had a snorkel I'd stay out of high water. I don't trust my door seals that much! Nothing worse than the smell of soggy interior. My old grand am had a leaky sunroof that leaked down the passenger A-pillar undetected and soaked the floor board. I had parked it while moving for a week and it rained hard all week. Looked like I had a lake in there. Still smelled like a wet dog when I sold it for $600.

 

It wouldn’t be just the block tho, that motor is definitely going to need a tear down. Sounds like water was run through it, which means it’s not just in the cylinders.

 

The WD40 is a good call. Man, OP really did this one good lol.

 

What was the extent of electrical damage to yours?

 

Sounds like you got off pretty clean, I’m amazed with that. Hopefully OP gets the same

 

***
Is MADE from rice...

 

OP, you said it got up to your door windows, this link confirms the Verde river depth was just about that.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=09506000




I have two questions,...1) any pictures while you were waiting for a tow?
.................................2) What helped you make the decision to go ahead an attempt a fording of this river?

 

did you have collision on it - maybe get ahold of them - never know

 

Where on the Verde was it ?