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a little bit of water killed my taco

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DaytonLax14, Feb 2, 2011.

  1. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:28 PM
    #1
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    when i drove my tacoma through a decent sized puddle (probably 8" deep or so) the water splashed up into my engine and killed the motor. Had to let it sit for about 20 min until all the water drained out before i could start it up again. I see guys taking tacomas through rivers with no problems, but mine dies from a puddle? What's going on here?
     
  2. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:30 PM
    #2
    The1youluv2hate

    The1youluv2hate Well-Known Member

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    Time for snorkel
     
  3. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:32 PM
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    Monkeysuncle

    Monkeysuncle My Cat's breath Smells like Cat Food

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    How fast were you going? KIlled the alternator? And remember, it's not a boat
     
  4. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:33 PM
    #4
    kinkrider101

    kinkrider101 Well-Known Member

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    I drove through a river at the dunes that was probly 20" deep, and nothing happened
     
  5. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:33 PM
    #5
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i was probably going 20-25...fast enough to get the water up to the engine i guess
     
  6. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:35 PM
    #6
    sir1123

    sir1123 Tacomas FTMFW!!!!

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    only probelem water cause for me was bad starter bearings
     
  7. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:38 PM
    #7
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    see i was thinking the same thing. I did the elbow mod a long time ago so when my engine died i automatically thought that was the reason. I popped the hood and there was no water on the air box and none inside of it....?
     
  8. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:43 PM
    #8
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    prolly just hit a sensor just right, thats honestly what it seems
     
  9. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM
    #9
    S.B.

    S.B. Well-Known Member

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    Do those tacos have ditributer caps? If so then water go in there and thats what caused it. What happens is water gets in the cap and then there is no spark.
     
  10. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM
    #10
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    no caps i dont think, it uses coils IIRC
     
  11. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:47 PM
    #11
    jgwheeler17

    jgwheeler17 I'm a zit. Get it?

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    agreed. pretty much the same thing happened to a jeep i had a few years ago.
     
  12. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:47 PM
    #12
    TacoNut

    TacoNut IgnoringChrisWatchingEdLi veVicariouslyThroughMJP2

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    into the engine??? :confused:

    Since you said the airbox was dry (and other than that and exhaust it's sealed) probably got a sensor or the alternator wet...

    And these engines have distrubuterless ignition
     
  13. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:48 PM
    #13
    TacoNut

    TacoNut IgnoringChrisWatchingEdLi veVicariouslyThroughMJP2

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    ohh, and next time it stalls in a water crossing....

    DON'T TURN THE KEY AGAIN until you know there's no water in the cyl's
     
  14. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:49 PM
    #14
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the cel was flashing if that helps at all. but yeah i bet the water hit a sensor or the alt
     
  15. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:50 PM
    #15
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    get the code read at advance auto or similar store and post up here. a flashing CEL indicates something that can affect the CAT or emissions causing the cat to fail
     
  16. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:52 PM
    #16
    shaniac

    shaniac Well-Known Member

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    No, they have a coil over wire system...
    Three ignition coils sit on the 1, 3 and 5 cylinders.
     
  17. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:53 PM
    #17
    S.B.

    S.B. Well-Known Member

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    I can't see that getting the alternator wet doing anything, since the battery will still supply your voltage.

    For the distributor, thanks for clearing that up for me. I know my brother's TJ and my friend's 90' 3.0 V6 4Runner has them and water likes to get in there and stall the engine.
     
  18. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM
    #18
    TacoNut

    TacoNut IgnoringChrisWatchingEdLi veVicariouslyThroughMJP2

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    The code will still be stored. Go to a auto parts store and get it read. post what it is.
     
  19. Feb 2, 2011 at 7:59 PM
    #19
    4x4Runner

    4x4Runner Sam’s gone, man. Moderator

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    What he says below.

    Probably soaked the alternator. I've run through numerous puddles with my Tacoma and haven't had an issue!
     
  20. Feb 2, 2011 at 8:03 PM
    #20
    1337Taco

    1337Taco Well-Known Member

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    Especially seems like a problem with first gens. My friends went out while wheeling on Saturday. Tapped it with a hammer, some mud and water fell out and it started right back up. I've heard of other first gens having similar problems.
     

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