Member Since: 10 Jul 2020
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8
Flooded my Disco 3 in a Ford
Hi Guys
Was green laning a few days ago and decided to cross a ford that turned out too deep (no snorkel) and the engine stalled. I had to get it towed out but now she will not start, all I get is a ticking sound when attempting to start. 😭 I hope you guys can help me diagnose the issue? I guess water went in the airtake as the filter was soaked, and when I removed the filter box and upper intake tubing there was water in the vertical intake tubing so I siphoned what I could (200ml). I also tried to start it whilst the car was submersed which I found out was a bad idea.
I have been told by a mechanic friend that if water is in the engine then the glow plugs need taking out and the engine turned by hand. I’m aware this isn’t an easy job. The car was submersed half way up the headlights for approx 3 hours before being towed out.
I’m not too mechanically minded I have only ever done basic car maintenance like oil change, brake pads, new compressor install but I’m willing too try and get her back on the road. Is it worth it I don’t know? 😂
I have a carsoft Iid tool.
18th Feb 2022 7:19 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
Better to remove injectors
Remove fuel pump fuse
Do it ASAP before things rust inside.
The injectors have hard metal pipes and plastic pipes.
Be careful of plastic.
The metal clips ping off and get lost.
So hold them very tight with needle nose players.
Plastic fitting delicate.
Twist injectors to free
18th Feb 2022 7:53 am
Matty 2332
Member Since: 02 Dec 2008
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 670
+1 for injector removal as its a lot easier (should be). Replace the copper injector seals and O rings as well, they're cheap enough. Make a note of which injector came out of which hole and when done return them to their original position and torque everything back up. it sounds like the engine is hydraulically locked.
18th Feb 2022 9:06 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8110
As said remove injectors and turn engine over by hand, you will be very, very lucky to get away without major cost, even down to needing a new engine rebuild It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
18th Feb 2022 9:30 am
classic kev
Member Since: 12 Feb 2021
Location: Mold
Posts: 196
That doesn't sound good. As they say, never test the depth of the water with all 4 wheels.
If the engine has hydraulic lock the list of damage can be eye watering - bent con rods = major surgery.
Hope you're lucky and the no start is water in electrics.
So as said, pop injectors but also, worth opening all visible electrical connector plugs and blasting with compressed air and maybe a dose of WD40. If water was near the ECU, pull it out and dry it out in a warm place for a couple of days. Check the passenger footwell for water. If soaking, treat same as for water ingress due to blocked sunroof drain - make sure the central junction box is as dry as possible.
18th Feb 2022 11:45 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
At least you have a Carsoft lld tool Andrew
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18th Feb 2022 1:20 pm
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
classic kev wrote:
Check the passenger footwell for water. If soaking
IF ?? 3 hours standing still in a ford, with the waterline halfway to the headlights?
no need for checking.... it will be there for sure Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
18th Feb 2022 3:31 pm
classic kev
Member Since: 12 Feb 2021
Location: Mold
Posts: 196
I guess it doesn't have holes in the floor for drainage but only half way up the headlights isn't trying hard enough! If you're going to dip your lights :
18th Feb 2022 4:04 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13912
Hopefully you haven't got hydraulic damage from stalling in the Ford then restarting it. Sadly I will be surprised if you don't which means your engine is toast, but fingers crossed you got away with it.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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18th Feb 2022 6:06 pm
munst
Member Since: 16 Sep 2020
Location: GLOS
Posts: 155
I would be surprised if the engine isn't damaged, so my advice would be to assess engine damage before you waste any energy on the rest of the car.
18th Feb 2022 7:03 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8110
Check your insurance for flood damage coverage
My guess is the ticking sound is the starter solenoid or a snapped crank Sorry.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
Last edited by M3DPO on 18th Feb 2022 9:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total
18th Feb 2022 8:02 pm
scubble
Member Since: 04 Apr 2020
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 106
when an engine stalls in water it is normally bad news, water does not compress like air does and it will crack the pistons without much effot, i myself did this on a older land rover when doing the head gasket and not noticing it wasnt seated right, all it took was turning the engine over and the pistons cracked
id take the injectors out and see how much water comes out, then you could do with checking the pressure in each piston , normally you would take the glow plug out to do this im not sure its possible through the injector hole ( a pressure test kit normally has a threaded fitting)Discovery 3 - Black SE with HSE upgrade
18th Feb 2022 9:14 pm
Discoboyz
Member Since: 10 Jul 2020
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8
Just about to start removing the injectors. I understand the rear injectors can be a pain so could I leave them loose while I crank the engine to push out the water?
14th Mar 2022 11:20 am
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
TOO much risk IMHO…
You have to suck all of the water out FIRST! Out of all of the cilinders….
If there is nothing to suck anymore, you can try cranking the engine, but NOT earlyer…
I would prefer cranking bij hand in all situations
Conrods will bend very easily and even 50cc of pure liquid, let alone 450cc of water wil not be pushed out of such a small hole in a split second….Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
14th Mar 2022 12:02 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
It's a month since you flooded it. If the engine has had water in in it for a month, I'm not sure there will be anything worth saving.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
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