The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

In yet another one of my less than intelligent moves, I was driving to work in this downpour in MA and tried to drive through a puddle.

My car couldn't make it and stalled.  When the water level went down, I could turn it on but I couldn't start it.

Does anybody who knows anything about cars here know what might have happened?

I bet it was more than just a puddle, haha. Anyhow, you probably got something in the ignition system wet. Either have to track it down and dry it out or it should dry on it's own after awhile.

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I did this once and got water up inside my engine.  It cost big money in damages.

hydrolocked.

If your intake submerged and sucked up water, your engine is likely hosed.  Its usually a pretty expensive overhaul or replacement to fix it.  Sorry to tell you that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolock

Lesson learned - never drive through deep puddles.

It's an old car, if it's too much money, we'll just buy a new one.  Plus, we have insurance.

Anyway, I'll find out tomorrow

I would think it would have to be pretty deep as it has to take it in through the top ... unless it has other issues prior.

I'm no mechanic but my first inclination is more along the lines of what pondwater said. Downtown Sanford has horrible drainage because it's old and very low. May cars get washed out traveling through. Used to be pretty common seeing people drying out the distributor after a hard storm. Most people learn after the first time to slow down.

Hydrolocking is not nearly as common as just having some wet electronics. Expect the worst and hope for the best is alway my motto though.

^^ of course it depends on the car.  You should bring it to a reliable mechanic for inspection.

Usually, hydrolocked engines won't really turn over and if they do damage is caused. I would still say that you got some electronics or something in the ignition wet. If you're not mechanically inclined, I would just pay to get it checked out. Cheaper than expensive repairs that could have been avoided.

I doubt your insurance covers this.  While it is possible to buy flood insurance for a car, (1) people rarely buy it for old cars; (2) and even then it is typically for rising water, not for driving thru a puddle.

Insurance is for accidents and theft not repair and maintenance. 

My parents and I checked, and our insurance will cover it after our $1,000 deductible, with no increase in premiums.

Still no word yet.  We took it to the mechanic today

Actually, my insurance covers mechanical repairs, but you have to carry the policy from the car purchased as new.  So they know you will be paying for 5-7 years without a claim, but after that mechanical breakdown is covered.

In Dolphins4life's situation, the car had an encounter with water.  Therefore it should fall under his comprehensive coverage if I'm not mistaken.

Car is totaled.  We are going ahead with our original plans to buy a new car.

What did they say is wrong with it?