shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 My poor roadster!!! Due to the totally crazy weather on Thursday I found myself faced with what I thought was a puddle which turned out to be pretty damn deep. I almost got out the other end when my beloved Zed cut out. Cutting a long story short, I ended up getting recovered home. I checked to see if the car would start this afternoon after work but nothing, wouldn't even spin over. After checking the airbox and finding it soaked I suspected water has got in the engine and hydro locked it. Plugs came out and the intake side were pretty wet. I tried to turn the car over by hand but it was solid. Wouldn't even budge when I tried to spin it over on the key. Hydro locked and bent a rod or 2 I'm guessing. Totally devestated, both me and the wife use the car daily too. Now I'm going to have to find an engine for it and fit it. BAD TIMES. Has anyone else had any hydro lock if so, what sort of state was the inside of the engine in after an inspection. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Insurance claim will be valid as you have had an accident. Report it straight away!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 what filter do you run? is it a standard filter or something else? if it was the standard filter i struggle to see how water would have got that high up the bonnet unless the puddle was 3 feet deep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 what filter do you run? is it a standard filter or something else? if it was the standard filter i struggle to see how water would have got that high up the bonnet unless the puddle was 3 feet deep? +1 - you got a CAI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 I would go down the insurance route I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 I cant see how you can get a bent rod if the plugs were out? Or did you take the plugs out, see they were wet and put them back in? And what now makes you think you have done internal damage You need to remove all the plugs and see if it will spin over by hand. Was the intake pipe wet internally? Was the throttle body wet internally. And as said, was the puddle "that" deep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Why on earth did you keep driving if it was getting that deep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Hydro locking is quite common with a long pipe CAI and if that is the case then best to get it whipped off and replaced with an OEM filter box if you are going the insurance route, that is if you have not declared the CAI upgrade to your insurers. As has been suggested by Paul, remove all the plugs and turn over by hand. If it is still locked then I guess that you will have bent valves and piston issues. I have plenty VQ35DE cyl. heads in stock complete with valves and cams if it is only top end damage. I also have VQ35DE full engines in stock if you are not so lucky. Good Luck Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 The puddle didn't look that deep when I entered it, but I guess there was a dip in the road. I had no choice but continue, there were about 7 or 8 cars bumper to bumper behind. I got the car home and started stripping down. I have a stock air box on there and it was soaked inside, as was the feed pipe and around the TB butterfly too. I removed all the plugs and tried to turn the car over by hand but it was seized solid. I tried also with the starter after disconnecting the fuel pump but still stuck solid. Which is what leads me to believe I've got a bent rod or 2 jamming up the engine. I've phoned the insurance and they were great about it. But if the engine is goosed I fear they'll just write the car off. It's a 2005 roaster with 60k on the clock. I've checked the Parker's guide and book valve is only around 7K max. I paid 16K for it just over 2 years ago. Bad times, bad times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 Hydro locking is quite common with a long pipe CAI and if that is the case then best to get it whipped off and replaced with an OEM filter box if you are going the insurance route, that is if you have not declared the CAI upgrade to your insurers. As has been suggested by Paul, remove all the plugs and turn over by hand. If it is still locked then I guess that you will have bent valves and piston issues. I have plenty VQ35DE cyl. heads in stock complete with valves and cams if it is only top end damage. I also have VQ35DE full engines in stock if you are not so lucky. Good Luck Alex. Hi Alex What sort of price is a full engine for a 2005 roadster please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 I cant see how you can get a bent rod if the plugs were out? Or did you take the plugs out, see they were wet and put them back in? Look up hydraulic lock mate, the damage happened as the car died, not after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Hydro locking is quite common with a long pipe CAI and if that is the case then best to get it whipped off and replaced with an OEM filter box if you are going the insurance route, that is if you have not declared the CAI upgrade to your insurers. As has been suggested by Paul, remove all the plugs and turn over by hand. If it is still locked then I guess that you will have bent valves and piston issues. I have plenty VQ35DE cyl. heads in stock complete with valves and cams if it is only top end damage. I also have VQ35DE full engines in stock if you are not so lucky. Good Luck Alex. Hi Alex What sort of price is a full engine for a 2005 roadster please? PM on its way mate. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 Top man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Vix Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Saw your post on FB John, gutted for you, but at least it wasn't the kraken!!! Hope you get things sorted, I know how well look after your cars, I don't think anyone expected those downpours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 The puddle didn't look that deep when I entered it, but I guess there was a dip in the road. I had no choice but continue, there were about 7 or 8 cars bumper to bumper behind. I got the car home and started stripping down. I have a stock air box on there and it was soaked inside, as was the feed pipe and around the TB butterfly too. I removed all the plugs and tried to turn the car over by hand but it was seized solid. I tried also with the starter after disconnecting the fuel pump but still stuck solid. Which is what leads me to believe I've got a bent rod or 2 jamming up the engine. I've phoned the insurance and they were great about it. But if the engine is goosed I fear they'll just write the car off. It's a 2005 roaster with 60k on the clock. I've checked the Parker's guide and book valve is only around 7K max. I paid 16K for it just over 2 years ago. Bad times, bad times. If you spend another 2/3k on fitting a new engine it will still only be wirth 7k I don't quite see the point of not taking the insurance route You get paud out £7k then get to buy another roadster that hasn't had to have a new engine.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 Saw your post on FB John, gutted for you, but at least it wasn't the kraken!!! Hope you get things sorted, I know how well look after your cars, I don't think anyone expected those downpours! Thanks Vicky. Hope you and Michael are well Yeah it was a little unexpected for sure. I've just got to suck it up and move on I suppose. I've got a spare bare short block for The Kraken in the shed so I wouldn't have been that bad really I don't thing lol. I had it out today and abused it quite a lot, made me feel much better lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 The puddle didn't look that deep when I entered it, but I guess there was a dip in the road. I had no choice but continue, there were about 7 or 8 cars bumper to bumper behind. I got the car home and started stripping down. I have a stock air box on there and it was soaked inside, as was the feed pipe and around the TB butterfly too. I removed all the plugs and tried to turn the car over by hand but it was seized solid. I tried also with the starter after disconnecting the fuel pump but still stuck solid. Which is what leads me to believe I've got a bent rod or 2 jamming up the engine. I've phoned the insurance and they were great about it. But if the engine is goosed I fear they'll just write the car off. It's a 2005 roaster with 60k on the clock. I've checked the Parker's guide and book valve is only around 7K max. I paid 16K for it just over 2 years ago. Bad times, bad times. If you spend another 2/3k on fitting a new engine it will still only be wirth 7k I don't quite see the point of not taking the insurance route You get paud out £7k then get to buy another roadster that hasn't had to have a new engine.... I've been given a good price from Alex for a good Low mileage engine so if the insurance write the car off I'll negotiate a settlement and keep the car then fit the engine myself, maybe with a few cheeky mods along the way, with the help of the forum I must add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 but then your car will be a CAT D, or even possibly CAT C if they class it as flood damage. so your car is worth even less come resale. and possibly harder to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 but then your car will be a CAT D, or even possibly CAT C if they class it as flood damage. so your car is worth even less come resale. and possibly harder to sell. Well let's hope not. Again it's something I'm going to have to wait until I speak to the insurance company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 it may not be as bad as you think, until its been inspected you won't know. if you go straight to insurer, they'll start charging the moment it goes in for diagnosis. which will reduce the amount they'll offer for fixing. it might be worth having it checked first then telling insurance whats wrong, with a quote for repair. and if its not so bad get the garage to add the inspection to the bill as well. remember you can specify where you get it repaired so don;t let them fob you off with their own choice. as they always bill for parts straight form nissan regardless. if you get it to someone like Horsham developments, Abbey motorsports or Advanced motrosports Engineering. they would be sensible and facotr in things like using a 2nd hand top end etc. or using after market parts which are often cheaper than direct OEM parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 As you are handy with the tools there is no point in getting specialists to look at the car as what Paul suggested earlier will be sufficient. Just pull all the plugs and see if the engine unlocks, if so, you could be lucky, however if the insurance company inspects the car and it is locked they will probably automatically in this instance deem the car beyond economical repair. If they inspect the car after you have unlocked it they may well look on the situation differently and instruct further investigation. The course of action that you take will be determined by what outcome you prefer. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Ho wet did the rest of the car get? Is there any risk of having electrical problems in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 I've already pulled the plugs and tried to turn it over by hand and it's solid and won't budge. I've put it all back together and the insurance company had the car taken away yesterday (Monday) for inspection. I'll update as soon as I hear anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy75 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Back in my FTO days there used to be a company (could have been FunkyFTO?) selling an anti-water-suction device that went in the intake. Looked good, not sure on overall operation, but also looked a nightmare for the induction path, going around a big clamp plate and spring Anyway, that's not going to help you now, but hope you get her sorted and back on the road soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney bits Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 Ho wet did the rest of the car get? Is there any risk of having electrical problems in the future? It was pretty damn wet. But who knows. It now stinks inside of dirty water too. The repairers have been into touch today letting me know they will start there estimate and get back to me in the next couple of days. Let's hope things move quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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