Our truck stuck! Water flooded the engine, CAB etc?

BLONDIE123

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

OK, my husband (AKA, potato head) was wheeling in the mountains, and underestimated the depth of the creek he was crossing, and got our truck stuck! Water flooded the engine, cab etc, etc. The truck is basically dead. The lights and horn were going off under water for the first hour, but have subsequently died. Has anyone ever had any experience resurrecting a truck this trashed?
The truck has 100K miles, and is fairly clean. A Faithful member of the family for many years now. We hate to see it go. Husband tried to turn it over while it was in the water ( NOT smart) and you could see water in the oil etc, when we pulled it out. :Oops:

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

Any time you have a vehicle that stalls due to high water, best thing to do is not to start it till you get all the water cleaned out, as it can further damage the engine.

Frist thing you want to do is dry out all the components and change the engine oil. It might be a good idea to flush the engine as well.
Also be sure to take the air filter box and all the air tubing off and clean and dry. Make sure the throttle body is clean and dry, so is the mass air flow sensor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-an-air-intake-boot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

Also dry out any water on any of the electrical connectors.

Make sure that the starter is dry and does not have any corrosion on the terminal.

While trying to start the truck while in water, it is possible to blown out a seal or gasket, that's might be why you saw oil in water.
After its dry look for any oil leaks.

Next step would be to clean out the battery. If the water got into the battery you will have to replace it. Also clean all the wires.

It will also be a good idea to check all the fluids and make sure you do not have water.

Then try to start the truck.
If there is no further issues the truck should start.
But then again if other components are damaged then those needs to be addressed as well.

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

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