On my way home from work today some lady in a SUV (talking on her cellphone) drove in to on coming traffic on a two lane road.

In efforts to avoid her and prevent a collision I had to swerve off the road -- causing my vehicle to hit a sizable amount of standing water.

Now my car will not start!


Specs:

2000 Acura Integra
Original engine
Manual transmission
Cold air intake



Seconds after hitting the water I noticed the exhaust puffed some white smoke (not a very thick white but noticeable) and before I could kill the ignition the car died.

My friend attempted to restart the vehicle (without my permission) and it sounded like it almost wanted to kick over.

The sound was like that of a dead battery perhaps.


How bad of damage might I have done if any?

What do I need to look for?



The vehicle is currently parked at my mothers house.

Tomorrow morning I plan to take a look at it.


From my understanding I need to do the following:

Pull all the spark plugs.
Turn the engine over to shoot out any water.

If it will successfully start then I should immediately change the oil.



Anything else I am missing?

Anything I should be looking for during my inspection tomorrow?

If it doesn't start what should I be looking for -- what is the worst case scenario?

If it does start anything I should pay close attention to?



Worst case is there anyone here that might be qualified to stop over and take a look at it for some cash?

I'm quite novice when it comes to the mechanical workings.


Please contact me with any advice or if you would like to assist,

(727) 366 - 4200

For I will be away from my computer for a portion of the evening.

 

drain the oil and pull the spark plugs, look for water in the cylinders.

 

Damn!

I just realized I have absolutely nothing on hand to do an oil change with.

I doubt there will be enough clearance between myself and the pavement to get under the car.

 

Also there is a black plastic tube which connects to the top of the valve cover and to the CIA metal tube (not referring to the PCV valve)...

When I removed it and shook it around a bit I did notice some water come out -- not much -- perhaps a dozen or less moderate size drops.


I really hope I am not screwed. =/



Edited to add:

I probably hit the puddle doing around 15-20mph.

At relatively low RPM'S -- 2K +/-

 

yea im thinkin you might have sucked some water up....hopefully after oil change and pulling the spark plugs, it will fix itself...ive heard of instances where that happened and an oil change was enough to get it started again! g/l!

 

Indeed!

I am freaking out here.

Sucks I have to wait till morning to get some kind of determination as where it is currently parked there is not enough lighting to do any kind of work.


At least on a positive note it looks like my insurance company will cover damages (less a five hundred dollar deductible) if it needs major engine work.


Of course they'll probably raise my premium on top of that (if not cancel me).

 

Question,

With the plugs removed should I be concerned about the fuel pump?

Won't fuel continue to spray potentially causing other problems?

 

yeah, but it spraying fuel into the cylinders is a good thing, not really a bad one!