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"An Act of God" - Flash Flood; Flash Flood , submerged Metro :/
Topic Started: May 15 2015, 11:10 AM (1,203 Views)
ManicMiles
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Posted Image1997 Geo Metro Lsi

Where should I start to get my "buoyant" Metro running again?
When I try and start it, I can hear the fuel pump trying to do it's thing. But no start.
This is all due to the recent Flash Flood in the Southern Texas area.
The water got high enough to pick the car up and move it 5-10ft down the street; past the no parking sign. Thankfully tow trucks were a little busy frying bigger fish.

Edited by Johnny Mullet, May 15 2015, 11:35 AM.
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Old Man




Good place to start would be to clean all the ground wires. Here is a "How To" that is a good place to start:
http://geometroforum.com/single/?p=958452&t=5720306
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freegeo
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How high did the water get? Did it get inside the car. If the PCM got wet it could of done some damage.

Check the basics. Fuel to injector, plugs getting spark and compression.
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ManicMiles
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Awesome, thanks for the link!
I added a picture but I am on my phone and I do not know if others are able to see it.
I sprayed anything electronic I could find with electronic parts cleaner hoping it will evaporate some of the water. My Drill, that I had left in the back seat, is now working again. That's always a plus.
Judging by the line of sticks/dirt/debris, water peaked just below the passenger air bag panel. Above the ecm :/
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Fixed your link.
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ManicMiles
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freegeo
May 15 2015, 11:21 AM
How high did the water get? Did it get inside the car. If the PCM got wet it could of done some damage.

Check the basics. Fuel to injector, plugs getting spark and compression.
Unfortunately it, with the rest of my freshly painted interior, was fully submerged.
Also the Speedo cable was removed from the transmission and cluster at that point in time as well, I don't know if that would be particularly damaging to my transmission ; or if a flush would solve any issues it would cause?
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freegeo
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The picture is not clear to see how high it was but if the ecu got wet that is not good. It would probably be a good idea to check the connections on the engine and PCM. Make sure everything is dry first.

Make sure you didn't get and water inside the engine. Does the oil have water in it?

If you have access to a air compressor you could use it to help get water out of the connections.
Edited by freegeo, May 15 2015, 11:46 AM.
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idmetro
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Personally, I would plan on changing all the fluids as a precaution. As previously mentioned drying everything out, both with air and with electronic cleaner would be a good start, then clean all the grounds, I'd pull the timing belt cover to make sure you don't have a build-up of washed in crud in there, dry out under the distributor cap - then turn the key and start checking systems - warning lights work? any codes stored? Once you get to that point you can see if she will start.
Edited by idmetro, May 15 2015, 12:28 PM.
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freegeo
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I am sorry to hear that the metro got flooded. We had a flash flood in 2008 and it didn't effect anything I had but it damaged many people's homes and vehicles. Crazy thing was the next day the water was all going and you couldn't even tell it happened except for all the corn stalks, sticks and everything else it drug along with it that got left behind.
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perfesser
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Elite Member - Former Metro owner

ManicMiles
May 15 2015, 11:41 AM
Also the Speedo cable was removed from the transmission and cluster at that point in time as well, ...
So you had an open hole in the top of the transmission as the water rose over it? You shouldn't have a rust problem immediately, because everything's coated with oil, and nothing's moving to wipe it off, but I think you ought to drain the tranny, flush it out with kerosene or something similar, drain that and then install clean gear oil. If submerged long enough, the water could have displaced all the gear oil (which would float away) and you could have a transmission full of flood water, and everything that was in it!

Kerosene is lighter than water, and being as thin as it is will penetrate places that gear oil won't until it gets hot in operation (by which time the water could have done something anti-social.) As it penetrates, it will displace the water, which then sinks to the bottom of the tranny and the drain plug. If you have any doubts, flush it twice!

Good luck!! I've cleaned up after several major floods, and it's never a good time!
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myredvert
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myredvert

If you are certain the PCM was also submerged, I would not be powering it up until you have done everything possible to ensure it is completely dry inside. The last thing you want to do is power it up and have something inside short out, or have residual moisture that can begin corroding and cause serious nightmares later.

I would pull it ASAP, open it up and follow the best advice of the more electronically knowledge forum members on how to best accomplish this.

Once you have done everything possible to get it dried out, re-install it and check your OBD system. If it can successfully perform it's diagnostic test at power up, you are off to a good start.
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PTA2PTB
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I'm totally awesome! I swear.

"An Act of God"?

Boy, you must have really pissed him off! What the hell did you do, anyway; "wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together"? He hates that (Leviticus 19:19). You deserve to be smote!

If I were you, I'd treat it like a cell phone that just went though the wash cycle. Immerse your Geo in a giant bag of rice for a couple days. That should dry it out. :thumb
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Old Man


When you are changing fluids don't forget to change the brake fluid
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Hanuman
"The Almighty Grounds Cleaner"

you hear the fuel pump turn on...thats very good. the ECU controls the fuelpump relay...so we know the ECU is at least functioning.
the ECU on these cars are hard to damage, its possible to only damage a few circuits, but usualy they prefer to fail completely. most cars when flooded if the ecu gets wet they dont function period.....and if they function when dry...they usualy are 100%.

did you notice if they check engine light was on with key in the run position? how about the oil light? (oil light is on another circuit, but can check that your guage cluster is still functional)
if you didnt notice those two things...dont turn the key and look for them....now is the time for drying things out. dianostics come later.

open your hood and disconnect the battery and remove the cables from the car. disconnect every electrical connector in your engine compartment. disconnect the fuse box. mount a box fan blowing air over the engine compartment......leave it blowing for 3 days to a week.

open your windows at least 1" more is better, pull the dash forward and disconnect all electrical harness. install a fan blowing air inside the car. dont leave the car in the shade.....tow it so its in southern direct sun.....cook it. after the hottest part of the has passed, open the doors to vent the moisture.

remove the ecu. remove the top cover and let it dry in a bowl of rice. disconnect and remove the inside fuse box and relays.......open fuse box and let dry.

time is your friend.......see you in a week or more.
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ManicMiles
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I pulled the Ecu, and cleaned every electronic connector I could. Drained oil from engine and transmission, and replaced it. Still no start. Got caught up with work and a week or two later, I'm staring out the back door of my apartment at flood waters, once again, rising to new heights. I am assuming the car got flooded again given the level the water had reached in my back yard was comparable to the previous flood. I fear the worst :/ to top it off my main transportations alternator failed out. why me?!?
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