Pickling an engine???

[Conex]

Regarding my post https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=103114 I would like to know if anyone has a proper method for flushing an engine after being submerged. This may be in the wrong thread as its a diesel, but this forum gets a little more attention and time is critical. If it needs to be moved, please do.

What I think I do know:
Drain all fluids ie: oil, fuel, brake system, clutch system, tranny, transfer, diffs

What I'm really not sure of:
What would you flush these system out with?
What would you temporarily replace the fluids with (my brother is out of commission for a couple of weeks) until a proper diagnosis is made?

BTW, a marine diesel mechanic is supposed to be doing this for him, but I would like to know in case he doesnt do something thats needed.

Regards

 

[theo]

I'll take a stab at it, but I don't have any personal experience. Just what I think I would try if it was me.

i) Brakes and clutch - refill master cylinders and operate the pedals a few times. It you still have pressure leave them until later. If not bleed until they kind of work. Shouldn't take much time at all.

i) Diffs - drain and refill, then lock the hubs and roll the truck or turn the wheels to recoat the gears with oil. Jack it up unevenly, left then right, while turning the wheels to slosh oil into the bearings and seals.

ii) Engine - Replace the motor oil. Remove as much of the air intake as you can and siphon or drain whatever water you find. If it was gas I would pull the spark plugs and turn it over as fast as possible with a strong battery to drive some water out, then spray a little oil into each cylinder and turn it over some more. Can you do something similar with a diesel?

iii) Tranny and transfer - drain and refill, then turn it over with the tranny and transfer engaged. Same reasoning as the diffs. Get a fresh oil coating on the gears, bearings, and seals. Could roll the truck back and forth or maybe use the engine to turn it over.

iv) Electrical - WD40 was designed specifically to displace water from electrical systems. Spray and mist it into everything you can reach, including alternator, starter, tail lights, connectors, fuses, etc.

Of course, common sense says get it running as soon as possible. That way the components will heat up and drive off water that flushing just can't remove.

HTH. Best guesses only. t

 

[foxfab]

yes, pull the glow plugs...

If it was gas I would pull the spark plugs and turn it over as fast as possible with a strong battery to drive some water out, then spray a little oil into each cylinder and turn it over some more. Can you do something similar with a diesel?

 

[fjwagon]

I bought a truck that was flooded back in the day from person who bought this type vehicles.

As far as the engine is concern he would, removed all the spark plugs, removed and replaced all fluids out of the engine. Clean and reseat connectors. Water was taking out of each cylinder with a vaccum if any. And then he lube each cylinder and let it sit for couple of hours and then turn it by hand slowly. I ran this truck for several years until I sold it to my uncle 8 years ago and he still owns it.

Just remember, water does not compress and recheck the oil after you cycle the engine before you start it.

 

[unclebilly]

10 years ago, I nearly sunk the 36 foot troller i used to run. I ended up submerging the engine in satwater while it was running (bent rod).

Anyway, do not fool around. You need to rince everything with fresh water ASAP. Pull out the glow plugs so you can turn it over with water in the cylinders and not bend anything. Once you have that part cleran, circulate some diesel through the cylinders to inhibit the water. Turn the engine over a few times while doing this - keep it up until the diesel is no longer white. You need to pull off the valve cover and remove the oil drain plug, circulate diesel through the internals to get out all of the water. You can use a drill pump to circulate the diesel from the bucket back up to the top. Keep changing out your diesel until it doesn't turn white anymore.

Do the same for the transmission. It it in an automatic, you need to drain it asap and get atp in there. You almost need to have the engine running to purge the water out of the valve body of the automatic (if any got in there). For this get a bucket of atf and break the cooler lines that go to the rad. The tranny should draw from the clean bucket and discharge to an empty bucket. Cycle the tranny through all of the gears.

Anyway, if you are prompt and thourough, you can save your engine.

 

[PVCruiser]

I second flushing your engine with diesel.


It's hydroscopic (sp?) meaning it will absorb moisture... I also submurged a motor (an outboard evinrude). Drained the motor of water, then I pickled the motor in diesel for a day, drain it, replaced it with oil and fired the motor up. No problems... Make sure you get the water out of the piston chambers too....


HTH

Seth