Does this sound like bent rods? (Video) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pdrayton · #1 07-13-2008, 02:11 PM

The wife went fishing with the car (literally). Water came over most of the engine.

I've taken out the injectors and turned the engine over to get the water out. Changed the oil and transmission oil. Had to pull a few fuses to stop the electronics that were still wet from drawing current.

It won't start. Here's what it sounds like. It's turning over slowly. Anyone looking for a challenge? Is there anyway to diagnose bent rods or valve stems without pulling the engine completely apart?
http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/carfloodengine.html

TMAllison · #2 07-13-2008, 02:23 PM

To me it sounds like little or no compression in a couple of holes.

It was running when it went for a swim?

79Mercy · #3 07-13-2008, 02:26 PM

It does sound like low compression. Pull the injectors and see if is getting fuel(or water), then do a compression test.

pdrayton · #4 07-13-2008, 02:29 PM

Yes, unfortunately it was running when it went for a dip. The air intake didn't seem to have had water run through it. I'm hoping the water got to the turbo maybe and then the engine died becuase it had no air, before the water got up the cross over pipe. Crossing fingers......

Could the water getting in there effect compression? Blown the rings or something?

What should I check to see about the compression? Take the injectors out and put in a compression checker? What I don't get is why it is turning over slower than it used to.

yellowbenz · #5 07-13-2008, 02:56 PM

Did it spin that slowly when starting before? I was always surprised at how fast my om601 turned over compared to the om616,617 starters.

pdrayton · #6 07-13-2008, 03:17 PM

No, it used to turn over faster before it went swimming. This is a 602 engine - a 92 300D 2.5.

79Mercy, it is getting fuel - I left the injector caps loose when I put them back and first cranked it. Fuel was coming out of the caps.

What would low compression tell me? And why would it be low after sucking in water? Would a bent rod reduce the compression?

Lots of questions, I know. This is a new (unenjoyable) experience for me....

bustedbenz · #7 07-13-2008, 03:20 PM

If you hadn't said you removed the injectors to dewater I'd say it sounded like an engine working too hard to compress cylinders full of non-compressable water.

Incidentally, what's the battery voltage? If water caused a dead short long enough to goof up some of the cells... that's MAYBE what I'd think a 10 volt battery sounded like (one set of plates shorted)

79Mercy · #8 07-13-2008, 03:24 PM

Maybe water is inside your starter. Remove it and take it apart and clean it out.

TheDon · #9 07-13-2008, 03:32 PM

did you change the oil and transmission fluid yet?

My 300D turns over with a low battery

79Mercy · #10 07-13-2008, 03:34 PM

Yeah, he changed the motor oil and the trans fluid.

pdrayton · #11 07-13-2008, 03:37 PM

It is turning over slow like that with good battery voltage.

Yes, maybe there is water in the starter, and in the bell housing.

Yes, changed oil and tranny fluid, and found the tranny is leaking from a 3" round disc looking thing on the drivers side near the back of the tranny. Any idea what that is?

pdrayton · #12 07-13-2008, 03:43 PM

That tranny thing that is leaking is the governer. It has a O-ring and circlip holding it in. So it's probably the oring that is buggered. Not maybe a big deal, unless it indicates some other problem.

Can't see why the o-ring would suddenly leak when it got wet.

79Mercy · #13 07-13-2008, 03:46 PM

how much of the car was under water?

TheDon · #14 07-13-2008, 03:49 PM

yes, how deep did she submerge

Hatterasguy · #15 07-13-2008, 05:39 PM

If it was running chances are pretty good that water got sucked in, and since water does not compress it doesn't take much. I remember last year a RE agent that I know drove her S430 through a 6in deep puddle and that was enough for a little water to get sucked in. Killed the engine, bent a rod. If you talk to the techs around here its not that uncommen really.

I'd do a compression test.

What kind of insurance do you have? Hers was covered which was good because it was like a $15k or $20k bill from the dealer.