Stalled in Water Won't Start
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Drain everything, lock the timing in place, pull the valve covers and the heads, dry it out, lube up the heads, reassemble. You should be good.
As long as toy have all cylinders open and you haven't already damaged valves, you would be ok to crank it, even by hand, which is what I would do first. By the time you get all that done, most of the electrical should be dry. Open up everything electrical to help it out. Check all fuses as well. If you got a short due to water, that can blow a few things.
As long as toy have all cylinders open and you haven't already damaged valves, you would be ok to crank it, even by hand, which is what I would do first. By the time you get all that done, most of the electrical should be dry. Open up everything electrical to help it out. Check all fuses as well. If you got a short due to water, that can blow a few things.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Verdict: hydrolock
I had the jeep towed in to a mechanic this AM. He states it's hydro locked and he sees this all the time. He further said insurance should cover it.
Has anyone been through this with progressive? I have full coverage have had no claims in 10 years. I'm swearing this out as I wait to hear from the adjuster.
I had the jeep towed in to a mechanic this AM. He states it's hydro locked and he sees this all the time. He further said insurance should cover it.
Has anyone been through this with progressive? I have full coverage have had no claims in 10 years. I'm swearing this out as I wait to hear from the adjuster.
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Sanatoga, Pa
There was a guy here who had the same thing, progressive paid for it, but the park here, the water hole was on a road that is listed as a park rd or something.
PS, he was running a CAI.
PS, he was running a CAI.
Last edited by Billbikes; Mar 3, 2014 at 02:54 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
This was on a busy local road that has a history of flash flooding. I'm hoping they cover it and I'm only left with the deductible.
This is my first jeep and I'm just left scratching my head that the air intake is so vulnerable to taking in water.
This is my first jeep and I'm just left scratching my head that the air intake is so vulnerable to taking in water.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 1
From: Sinking Spring, PA
Here you go. This guy hydro'd his motor on a ride that I organized back in October. He had the exact same symptoms as you did, except he threw a rod completely out the bottom of the motor.
So I am officially BACK IN ACTION!! 
Thanks for all the well wishes. I want to thank the guys who helped me out especially Mike who was probably the best trail leader I have ridden with. Hope to do a lot more runs with him. (Not ending up with him towing me back to the parking lot though!
)
So here is the story. I have Progressive. First off, they were AMAZING!!!!!
- I have AAA also and used them to tow me. I didn't know that they would have towed me no matter how far away I was for free. They reimbursed me for the overage I had to pay AAA. (I have a 100-mile free tow package and I was about 140 miles away from home.)
- They came and picked my car up Monday 10/21 (two days after I Hydro'ed)
- They paid up to $30/ day for my rental for up to 30-days. (This was fine. I didn't pay a dime as I had a go-cart as a rental (Mazda 2)
- they called me at least twice a week with updates. I actually spoke with the mechanics (not a rep far away reading a screen)
- they even bought an aftermarket cleaning kit to clean the CAI (which will be soon replaced with a snorkel/ stock air box)
- The reason it WAS covered was because technically, the breakdown was a "weather related" issue. "flooded trail". This is considered a natural disaster accident.
- The whole thing, from breakdown to me driving my JKU again took exactly 17-days. The only expense I had was my deductible.
__________________________________________________ ______
With that being said, Laura and I will be there on Black Friday and, Jeep willing, will be wheeling BOTH Friday and Saturday!
Thanks for all the well wishes. I want to thank the guys who helped me out especially Mike who was probably the best trail leader I have ridden with. Hope to do a lot more runs with him. (Not ending up with him towing me back to the parking lot though!
)So here is the story. I have Progressive. First off, they were AMAZING!!!!!
- I have AAA also and used them to tow me. I didn't know that they would have towed me no matter how far away I was for free. They reimbursed me for the overage I had to pay AAA. (I have a 100-mile free tow package and I was about 140 miles away from home.)
- They came and picked my car up Monday 10/21 (two days after I Hydro'ed)
- They paid up to $30/ day for my rental for up to 30-days. (This was fine. I didn't pay a dime as I had a go-cart as a rental (Mazda 2)
- they called me at least twice a week with updates. I actually spoke with the mechanics (not a rep far away reading a screen)
- they even bought an aftermarket cleaning kit to clean the CAI (which will be soon replaced with a snorkel/ stock air box)
- The reason it WAS covered was because technically, the breakdown was a "weather related" issue. "flooded trail". This is considered a natural disaster accident.
- The whole thing, from breakdown to me driving my JKU again took exactly 17-days. The only expense I had was my deductible.
__________________________________________________ ______
With that being said, Laura and I will be there on Black Friday and, Jeep willing, will be wheeling BOTH Friday and Saturday!
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 656
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario
I know someone who hydrolocked while offroading and blew a baseball size hole out of the bottom end of the motor. He cleaned the jeep, dried it off, threw some used oil in it, called the dealership and played dumb saying it wouldn't start. Towed it to the dealership and got it replaced under warranty. The only thing he didn't dry out was the water in the exhaust and when they started it, muddy water shot out all over the shop floor. The dealership knew what happened but everything was already approved and signed off and they told him never to come back. I don't suggest you do this but i thought it's a story worth sharing.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado
Deep water and speed.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
These are pretty good stories to hear. I just heard from the adjuster assigned to my claim and she stated they don't know yet if this will be repairable or a total loss. Apparently, they are overwhelmed with claims right now after the storms and it will be several days before I obtain any feedback.
Shit, I hope it's repairable! I love my jeep like a family member.
Shit, I hope it's repairable! I love my jeep like a family member.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Insurance & Mechanic question:
Progressive is replacing the engine block, pistons, crank, etc with reconditioned parts. Progressive says their recommended mechanics will have a lifetimes warranty on labor while the mechanic with the jeep says they will offer a 3 year unlimited miles warranty on labor. The reconditioned parts also carry a warranty, but they didn't know what it was off hand and needed to speak with the company providing the parts (LKQ).
My question: is not having a lifetime warranty on the labor a red flag and reason enough to choose another mechanic?
BTW...the local mechanic is Willhelm in N. Phoenix. They said they had to do one of these a year ago for another jeep and the customer was happy. Should I be concerned that they rarely work on jeeps?
Thanks!!
Progressive is replacing the engine block, pistons, crank, etc with reconditioned parts. Progressive says their recommended mechanics will have a lifetimes warranty on labor while the mechanic with the jeep says they will offer a 3 year unlimited miles warranty on labor. The reconditioned parts also carry a warranty, but they didn't know what it was off hand and needed to speak with the company providing the parts (LKQ).
My question: is not having a lifetime warranty on the labor a red flag and reason enough to choose another mechanic?
BTW...the local mechanic is Willhelm in N. Phoenix. They said they had to do one of these a year ago for another jeep and the customer was happy. Should I be concerned that they rarely work on jeeps?
Thanks!!