1996 Chevy Truck Water Damage to a Brand New Motor

1996 CHEVROLET TRUCK
275,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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DBECHTEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
We recently replaced the 5.7 Vortek motor in our truck. The new motor only had 800 miles on it. This past Sunday, my husband was backing the truck with trailer/boat attached down a dock at a lake. Needless to say, a mishap occurred and the entire truck and trailer/boat was submerged in the lake. The truck was submerged 3/4 of the way to the roof of the cab. It was removed within 40 minutes of the submerging. We drained the motor oil within 3 hours of the accident. It first drained clear water, then the motor oil --- each very distinct in color. It went from total water, to total oil (to the naked eye). However, the following morning I spoke with the mechanic who put the new motor in and he said it was imperative that we get the water out the motor --- so the pistons don't rust fast. We did that within 24 hours of the submergence. We have drained the rear fluids, transmission fluids and power steering fluids. We will bleed the brakes lines this weekend. We are planning on replacing the computer. I know we are going to face switch and electrical problems.... however.....do you think a new motor could survive 40 minutes in water?
Sep 25, 2009 at 9:39 PM
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BMRFIXIT
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
it should
remove all spark plugs and squirt some oil on top of the cylinder
remove and replace air filter
Sep 25, 2009 at 9:50 PM
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