Water Flooded 300TD wagons
 

Well flood of 2011 has got the best of both cars. One over the roof the other about mid way on glass. Has anyone had this happen,& what have they done to salvage atleast engine & tranny, or anything else for that matter. Need parts ? Thanks. Rob

As a marina owner I have had many boats sink. If you want to salvage the engine it is imperative that you get it running ASAP. we usually drain the oil and fill with diesel fuel. Then remove the spark plugs, In a diesel glow plugs and use a remote starter to crank the engine to remove any water. Close it back up and do a regular oil change. do what ever it takes to get it running and bring it up to operating temperature. If you let it sit for any length of time it will be worthless. With marine transmissions we would drain and fill them when we did the final oil change before the run up to normal temps. On a car you would have rear end fluid to change as well.

In the marine environment you would probably have electrical damage but not as severe as in a car. I would use desiccant, rice and fans to dry the interior. Man I feel your pain, good luck.

Thanks for response. Real good advice about running ASAP. Rob

ugh!

I'm not sure I'd fill the crankcase with diesel, in a diesel engine. I don't necessarily know what I'm talking about, but that just *sounds* like a recipe for a run-away. Maybe it isn't... but I recommend caution in any case.

Nevermind. If the spark or glow plugs are removed, it probably doesn't have enough compression to "run" at all, "away" or otherwise.

Every time I post in the wee hours of the morning I regret it.

.... There is No spark plugs on a diesel... but I would haste in getting it out of water ASAP and trying to get it to run like suggested, I too am hesitant on Diesel in the crank case but... who knows.

diesel in the crankcase with the injectors removed would be just fine. only on the starter of course, not draggin the car, or starting it with diesel in the crankcase.
then drain that, and fill with cheapo motor oil, and cranking that over still with the injectors out, and spinning the system up to oil pressure.
then drain that, and fill with proper oil, and getting the motor running.
FIRST priority after draining the motor would be draining the transmission, then the difff... don't forget the TC drain.

I'd want to do the SLS fluid too, and I would drain the trans first. If there is water in the bottom you don't need it getting pumped up into the valve body.

-J

I've heard mud can be a serious problem - is that also the case?

here is the official way in the marine industry. My post was a short paraphrase. It is very common on boats. It is called pickling, so here you go http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/pickle.asp

I got a car from louisana, that looked like it had been in a flood. there was fine grainy silt everywhere in the car. I MEAN EVERYWHERE! also, the metal parts of the seats and other sections were COVERED in rust.
I'd pull the seats out, and remove the covers, and SOAK the springs, and adjustment sections in penetrating oil, and coat it in a lube.

I know there aren't diesel spark plugs, but the poster to whom I was replying had said something to the effect of removing the "spark plugs from a gas engine or the glow plugs from a diesel" so I was replying to both sides of the statement. didn't mean to cause confusion.

believe it or not this happens all the time in the 4x4 community.

Diesels are easier to save because the engine doesnt rely as much on electronics.

As stated before - change all fluids NOW. Make sure the cyls are not full of water as described above. Pull glow plugs and crank it.

You will probably lose the GP relay and wiper motor etc. Anything electric will be ruined. radio, wire harness - you will never dry it out enough to stop it from shorting. The engine and tranny though - just drain & dry then refil & fire it up!

Hmm this is a good thing to check. the underhood relays can be opened up, and soaked in penetrating oil like wd-40 and may survive. the WD stands for water dispersant... before turning the key to the on position with the battery in, I'd remove EVERY electronic box, and soak with wd, then windex. and dry them out.
you can connect a good battery for spinning the motor, but don't use the key, use a starter jump switch.