96 stillen tuned maxima engine blown

[iwannagofast]

A week and a half ago I was forced to drive through a street wide puddle and I hit it at about 20 to make it through and it killed my car, so i let her dry for a few min and tried starting it as it sluggishly attempted to turn over and when she did start, a sound of a blown lifter came about. and 3 mechanics told me to just drive it and forget the sound and said it wouldnt hurt anything. The engine blew last friday and spewed some oil on the side of the highway sort of my the fire wall area/oil pan. then the rest cam out as the car was pulled up on the tow truck. When i checked the motor out, there was no visible cracks or holes from under the motor, however the oil stick wouldnt pull out it was locked up and when it did come out, it came out with a chip of alluminum . So i took the front valve cover off and checked the cams and what not they seemed in good shape. It does have a new timing chain in it 40,000 miles ago. What could have caused this and does anyone have advice on repairs or whether er not it would be worth the money? please let me know. Much appreciated. Thanks

[tigersharkdude]

do you possibly have a CAI? you may have sucked up a bunch of water, but that would hydrolock the motor. Im unsure exactly with your situation

[iwannagofast]

I do have a CAI. Its stillen brand and its located on the left bottom where the fog light normally is. Inside it. So i was thinking that was a possibility but i tried turning the motor over after it was towed and it fired right up but was shaking a thuding inside the motr so i killed it quickly...

[maxhopper]

Sounds like you did indeed suck water into your engine. You'll need to remove the head to inspect the valves and the pistons for damage.

And I would never talk to the 3 mechanics again, they don't know what they're talking about.

[fiveliterbeater]

this story is very wierd. in all the years i've heard of engines sucking down water, never heard anyone "blowing" the motor out and spewing oil out. that is crazy! are you sure you did didnt hit a rock or something when you drove through that puddle?
Modified by fiveliterbeater at 1:28 PM 2/24/2010

[loystock]

Yes it's really weird. But with so much water ingested by the engine due to CAI, something's gotta give when you try to compress that.

[iwannagofast]

I can see where, if water did get into the engine, that the compression would be emmence and prolly blow somethin. (In refference to fiveliterbeater), Yah,, It was straight water no rock, and i wasnt sure i was guna make it across the huge flood puddle, so i hit it at around 15-20, and it coasted dead to the end. (no way to avoid this puddle) The mechanics told me the knock would just have to be delt with so i did for a week and she blew out and spilled oil down the interstate. Very embarrasing when ur car looks as if it were on fire... However, we decided on purchasing a new motor for 1000 shipped and put in for 400 with a different mechanic. This motor has only 40,000 miles on it and is spotless so I hope it last a while. Thanks for all the input guys! I havent had the time to get back.
Modified by iwannagofast at 12:11 PM 3/10/2010