Okay, a few months ago I installed my cold air intake system from AEM in my 2005 pontiac sunfire. The installation went great, and I've enjoyed a smoother and deeper intake sound while I've been waiting to purchase my super charger. However, yesterday there was a flood in my area and while I was on my way to work I ended up hitting a flooded patch of low road that was deeper than I thought. The problem is, I know for a fact that water was sucked up into my CAI, and my car immediately died. I got out (crawling out my window) opened my hood and removed the center joint from my intake system. Sure enough, water spilled out of the intake. The engine now just clicks allot when I try to start it, and hasn't ran since.
I can't afford a mechanic, and I'm fairly skilled if I have some decent directions to follow. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to get back up and running? Directions and tools needed would be amazingly welcome. I can say that I've tried jumping it, push starting, and every other method of getting it to run. Sadly, nothing works (including removing the intake system from the throttle body and just letting open air access while attempting to start).
pull the plugs and had crank the motor over , or use a turkey baster and suck the water out of the cylinders
and pull the tb and suck the intake dry , and change the oil
then pray to the car gods and hope it starts and runs , or its time for a motor
Really? a whole new motor?
he's aboot right, only suggestion i have is if you have a wet vac go to home depot and get/fab up a fitting to fit like a 3/16 or 1/8 ID hose and use it to suck out any water in the chambers
Good luck
yeah , hydro locking the motor is a good way to toss a rod out the side of the motor
alot depends on the load you had on the motor when it sucked the water in , sometimes you get lucky , and time and a oil change is all it costs ya
usually your screwed and gotta buy a new or good used motor , the rods either bend , or eject themselves out the side
had a friend spit the rod out the side of his 2.4 on the freeway
Yep the Eco AEM CAI tube I have no killed a friend's '04 Sunfire, well he did honestly, and accelerating through the puddle cost him 2 nice holes through the block. All for a cold air intake. Not worth it if you ask me.
cai's are no prob if u stay outta puddles, dont blame the cai there joe
I wouldn't say the motors, not just yet anyways.. I used to to get water where it shouldn't be on my dirt bike all the time. I know it's different, but stil. First thing I'd do is pull the plugs out, and try turning the engine over. See if there's any water that gushes out. Next try the shop vac method to suck out any remaining water. Then do a compression test. That'll tell you right away if there's anything majorly messed. If the compression test is good, and even across all cylinders, change the oil. I would try dumping some gas line anti freeze in your gas tank, that should get rid of any water within the throttle body area as well.
Quote:
Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate.
Okay, the latest update is : Two rods bent in the engine.
The upside is, my comprehensive is going to cover the replacement minus my deductable.
So, since I'm going to replace the engine I was talking to the claims adjuster and he said he thinks it would be alright if I picked a different engine than the exact one inside it to replace it (as long as its within the comp. coverage price range). I was looking at the Wiki for the ECOTEC engines and noticed the 2.0L LNF which is rated significantly higher than my current engine (260hp over 150hp). I'm assuming I might be spending some out of pocket to install something like this, however is it possible for that engine to fit inside a 2005 sunfire to begin with? If not, does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement?
nope. you can only replace it with the 2.2 Eco at this point.
the 2.0L motor won't work with the electronics in your car.
Desert Tuners
“When you come across a big kettle of crazy, it’s best not to stir it.”
Honestly considering the alternatives, I'm probably still going to have my CAI installed in my car after this. While I don't like that it happened, its not really my fault and its not even my CAI or my car's fault. Its simply an accident caused by a flood. I tried to stop and go around the flooded zone but I couldn't stop because I slid. Not me, not my CAI, just an unfortunate accident that I'll be getting a secondary car to avoid in the future (and keep my modded car as a fair weather only car).
Its a learning lesson really, but I do know one thing for certain - I'm lowering my deductable! its going to cost me a little more each month but considering how much I'm saving on an engine replacement I think its going to basically pay for itself.
get the by-pass from aem for the intake , its cheaper
I've got one ordered now actually. I wish this would have been on a "suggested" list somewhere on NOPI.
actually i just installed a eco cai from aem on my friends cav , and there is a WARNING STICKER on it , and recomending the use of the bypass for bad weather
little late now though
