Submerged my Tacoma

Well this last weekend my town got hit by a pretty big storm and a lot of the country backroads got flooded. My friends and I spent all day hitting flooded roads and having fun. I hit on road Thursday night that went up to about my fog lights. So I decided to go back Friday night with 2 of my friends to show them. Not knowing about how ocean tides affect the flow of the river, I drove into the water going at about 10 mph it suddenly went up to my headlights and my truck started to float and I hit a submerged car so I turned off my truck and my friends and I escaped out the back window and swam to safety. As for my truck, I wasn't so safe with water up to about the center console. I had to leave it there for the night because there was no way to recover it. I got it towed home the next morning where I cleaned the inside, took off the air filter and intake where there was a good amount of water, drained the oil where there was a bit of water and mud in it, then I opened up 3 of the spark plugs where they had water around them and I took them out and didn't see any water in the engine so I put them back in and tried to crank it just to see if it'll turnover but the starter needs to be replaced. I would like opinions on where to go from here. What kind of electrical issues am I looking at for my truck's life?

 

but seriously good luck though

 

Seriously, you are going to have major issues. You say it came up to your center console, which is lower than your wiring behind the dash. But you also had engine intrusion higher than the center console. My guess without looking at the truck is you have the POTENTIAL for water in the ECM and any other onboard computers. Also the damage to the interior (mildew) will require an entire new carpet and seats. Basically you may be looking at an insurance total.

 

If you have full coverage insurance I would call them ASAP and inform them what is up and ask for them to get it repaired. When it is done and operational sell it. Flood cars and trucks are nothing short of a never ending headache.

Barring that. You need to disconnect each and every harness connector that was exposed to water and dry them out completely.

Oh, you mentioned tidal influences... Was this salt of brackish water?

If so I would say it is a total loss. I wouldn't have it.

 

Cars are considered totaled if they're flooded with salt water!

I'd call it a loss in that case.

 

Storm was crazy brother, for California anyways, narrowly got flooded myself

 

Awesome, another Tacoma World insurance claim due to stupidity. There should be a Wall of Fame, for that.

Be sure you tell your insurance company the story the way you told it here.

Frank

 

When you say the starter needs replaced, is that because it wouldn't turn at all, or just turns once or twice and then nothing? May not be the starter... the engine may have water in it (hydrolocked) and you can bend a rod trying to start it like that since water doesn't compress.

 

If you have full coverage insurance. I'd say make the claim and get another truck.

 

I'd call the insurance company and advise you not to go driving on flooded roads in the future if you can.

 

The word "toast" comes to mind.
And now you have admitted to driving into the water when you could have avoided it, good luck with the insurance.

 

What he said. ^^^ Where the fuck was your brain? Sheesh!

 

Did you save the beer from the truck???

man.... sorry for the soaking....

 

Did you save the beer from the truck???

man.... sorry for the soaking....

 

Claim it. Wouldn't be surprised if they totaled it. It will never be the same.

 

I'm sure if it ends up in court they will find this site.

I'm glad to be past those years of common sense.

 

And another Wall of Fame for selling it to some poor bastard.

 

I wouldn't touch anything until the insurance company is involved.

But...just for future reference....

DO NOT CRANK the motor if there's water in the engine/cylinders. Just because you 'looked inside' and couldn't see any water, doesn't mean there isn't any. Be on the safe side....

Take all the spark plugs out first and then you can crank the motor over. This will help flush out any water inside the cylinders. Yes....you could have water flying out of the spark plug holes (that's what its supposed to do). Get some WD40 and spray inside each spark plug hole and crank motor over some more. Keep cranking until all the water has been flushed out.

Then...you can put the spark plugs back in. This also applies to 'oil' in cylinders (after rolling the truck over)

 

oh boy. this is gonna get good.