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Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice


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Stephaniejones
New User

Jan 12, 2010, 8:06 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2090 views)
Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

2000 Pontiac Grand AM Watterlogged and Unsure of what to do

Please help, I could really use some advice! My car is at my mechanic's today because Saturday I drove it into about two feet of standing water (pipe line accident). The car died in the water; I tried to restart it, just once and nothing happened so I left it until I could get Triple A out to tow it. In the meantime the whole car was soaked in muddy, freezing water and if you can imagine I am a pregnant lady waddling around on the side of this neighborhood lake trying to figure out what to do. The inside of the car has about four inches of frozen water in the floorbaords and water was up over the front of the car. About an hour after driving into the water I got it out and let it sit overnight at the mechanics. Yesterday he took out the spark plugs and was going to put a new starter today. Well he called me today saying the top half of the engine is a block of ice and that the intake valve is frozen. He wants to know if we should start doing more work on it today (which will cost hundreds of dollars he said) or if we should just scrap the car. I don't know what to do, can you please help me and give me advice on whether I should sink money into this car that might not work or if I should just let it go and invest in something else to get around? The inside of the car has a lot of water damage too and I just don't have a good feeling that the car will be okay after they work on it. I asked him to hold off until I can be better informed, unfortunatly I don't know very much about cars. I found a cheap Honda online and am tempted to just buy that instead of putting money into what could be a lost cause. Thank you for reading, and for any advice you can give Smile


(This post was edited by Stephaniejones on Jan 12, 2010, 8:12 AM)


way2old
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Jan 12, 2010, 5:03 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2071 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

It is possible the engine is ruined if it sucked in too much water before it died. Also the water inside the vehicle could ruin more than just the seats and carpet. There are a lot of electronics in there and they may be ruined also. And you could be lucky and there may not be anything major wrong. This will have to be your call as we can not completely diagnose it for you. We can only offer limited advice for you to use. Good luck on your decision and keep us informed on what you decide to do. Thanks for using our forum.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


steve01832
Veteran
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Jan 12, 2010, 6:00 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2067 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

This is a tough call. Where you have said that the inside has a lot of water damage, you may want to take a look at that Honda. For the money you throw into this one, you may be able to buy a decent used one for.
What you said about the mechanic wanting to replace the starter, is it because the motor is just giving a loud clunk noise when you try to crank it? If so, may be a seized engine, a new starter won't help you there. Hopefully, the mechanic knows enough to try to turn the engine with a breaker bar before he assumes the starter is the problem.

Steve


Sidom
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Jan 12, 2010, 8:11 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2064 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

I have to agree with everyone else. If the engine compartment was under water along with some of the inside.................This car is going to be having weird electrical problems from here on out and that's assuming the engine is good....

It's your call but I wouldn't put any money in it................


re-tired
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Jan 12, 2010, 8:46 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2063 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

I would take a chance on the high and dry honda over a pontiac submarine ,as w2o mentioned there is a lot of electronics that took a dive , probably the eng computer as well. BTW , who owned the broken water line , is there a liability issue here ? Wink


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


brager
User

Jan 13, 2010, 12:54 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2052 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

Got to agree with sidom as well electronics took a dip in water not good at all
even if you get it completly dried out it will never run right i highly recommend that
DONT put any money in this vehicle soory for the bad news Frown


nickwarner
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Jan 17, 2010, 9:26 PM

Post #7 of 7 (2034 views)
Re: Submerged Grand AM has engine now a block of ice Sign In

I agree with all who have replied. Get rid of your car. But don't buy that Honda just because its cheap. By your own admission, you don't know much about cars. You get what you pay for. Take any car you look at to a mechanic you trust. If the seller has a problem with that, walk away because he is hiding something. It will pay off in the long run to pay someone to look at a car for a few bucks than sink a few grand in it shortly after buying it. This is why we have jobs after all. We make NOTHING by telling you the honest truth about someone else's car. See a qualified man before buying anything and junk your flooded car. Its a can of worms you can't afford to fish with.






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