1998 Pontiac Sunfire car went thru a deep puddle

Tiny
KATIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
We had a bad storm here in HI, the car was driven thru a very deep puddle. At first the car drove fine then after decending a steep hill, keeping the car started became a problem. Fuel cleaner was added to the fuel in case there was water in the lines. After that, the engine light came on. Because the car would not stay idling, the following has been replaced but car still will not idle without stalling out: boots for spark plugs, spark plugs, sensor in the dist. 7 fuel lines; oil has been drained & replaced; air filter replaced; the car has had 3 tanks of gas since to make sure the fuel cleaner went thru. I was told the head gasket was checked & it's fine, the compression is good, and the vacuum hoses are fine. The car runs better than it did, but will stall out at a stop if it is not put into neutral and the gas pedal applied. Please help with any suggestions.
Friday, December 28th, 2007 AT 7:27 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Either the MAF got wet it's in near the air filter, or the IAC(idle air control valve) isn't working properly.
How does it run cold?
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Friday, December 28th, 2007 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Mass air flow sensor, it measures the amount of air entering the throttlbody, the PCM uses the info to adjust fuel air mixture. It a metal part bolted in just above the air box were the filter goes. The other possibilty is the exhuast sucked up some water, and may have damaged the converter or the 02 sensors. Is the check engine light on?
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Saturday, December 29th, 2007 AT 7:28 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
With the light on you need to get the codes read, Autozone will read them for free, then post the result here.
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Saturday, December 29th, 2007 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
KATIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much :lol: I will email you the codes once I have the car in into the dealer. I'm calling on Mon. To see what they charge. Again, thank you Sir. I still think we should have been born with wings to fly instead of cars, but then you'd be out of work. So. Have a very Happy New Year and I'll be in touch.
Katie
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Saturday, December 29th, 2007 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Just go to Autozone or any big parts supplier, they read the codes free! Then post the results here. Will be happy to follow up with you!
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Saturday, December 29th, 2007 AT 11:38 PM

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