Hi I have a Lexus es350 07’ with 230,600 miles on it. Automatic, OBDII scanner read fuel/air intake error. I hit a flooded area and my car was running for awhile then the check engine light came on, it doesn’t turnover, I had my spark plugs checked and replaced, now it’s still not turning over. Do I have water in my fuel tank, injectors or what? Is this fixable?
In general once a modern vehicle is flooded it will never be the same due to complex electronics and wiring being damaged. Insurance companies will usually total a flooded vehicle. There is so much that can go wrong that unless you have good diagnostic skills yourself you would need a good mechanic to evaluate the damage.
You could try to dry things out, but to have a mechanic do that work on a 17-year-old high mileage ES350 would probably cost more than the car is worth.
You may have hydro-locked your engine. Water doesn't compress, and, if you got enough water into the engine, you've bent one or more pistons. Water always takes the path of least resistance if compressed, which is bent pistons.
Why did you knowing risk driving a sedan into a flooded area in the first place? A foot of running water is enough to lift a car.
