We have a 2006 Honda Civic Ex 2 Door Coupe 1.8L Engine. It has 223791 miles on it. This past hurricane that hit Florida caused severe flooding in our neighborhood. Just moved here so didn't know it would flood as bad as it did so we had to drive through it to get back to our house.. The water ended up being so high that it started coming into the car. I became impatient and tried starting the car and shorted the starter. We believed that our car was hydro-locked. Took out the air filter (there was water), removed the spark plugs, oil pan. We replaced the oil pan but in doing so had to remove the ac compressor and the alternator. Okay at this point I put everything back together including a new starter, air filter, and oil pan. Car would turn over but wouldn't crank. During this time I did not press the gas while trying to start the car. This made us believe that it was the fuel pump. Took out the old pump, didn't really have a way to test it. So, I laid the fuel pump on some cardboard, plugged the fuel pump in, turned the car on and the fuel pump worked. I reinstalled the fuel pump. During this I also made sure there was no water in the fuel tank. This time when I tried starting the car, I pumped the gas and after the third time she cranked. Now, she was driving okay, not at her best, but okay. Rough idle, rpms jumping while idling, and at consistent speeds. There were no dashboard indicators that popped up. Drove her for 2 days and now the check engine light is constantly on. The oil light comes on, stays on for a second, turns off, starts flashing, stays consistent no flash for 5 minutes, disappears, stays on while braking, but completely goes away after you exceed 2500 RPMS. She started acting like she was struggling to accelerate. Also there is a grinding sound coming from the engine. Is there any way to fix this without replacing the motor? Side note: can't check codes because when we bought the car from a rinky dink hole in the wall car dealer, the OBD port doesn't work and that's a whole different topic I need help with too.
Flooded vehicles are the worst things to drive, because the water or saltwater gets into the wires and wiring, stay there, and can corrode, or cause shorts on circuits.
Cheapest thing to do is get rid of the vehicle, too many unusual problems from now and forever will happen.
Next car you buy, if used, open the hood of the engine, look very closely at the sides for a WATERLINE, usually white, orange, black or green. Or look for mold or unusual colors inside the engine compartment. This may signify it was a flooded vehicle.
Never ever drive in more than 6 inches of water unless your vehicle is much higher than the water.
if your vehicle has drum brakes, flooding those with water is the worst thing for them!
Well, … “she” is done, I’m afraid. You have done all you can. Valiant effort. Even if all this effort worked, … it most likely would work for a while only. Flooded cars never become good again, … even if they act like initially. Rust, corrosion will kill them at the much accelerated rate right after.
F.S.
