Drove through large puddle now wont start???

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 30 Mar 2010, 08:35

This AM on the way to work I encountered a large puddle. I did not see it in the dark and plowed right through it. The motor immediately began to sputter and loose power. I went approx 1/4 mile and pulled over. The car sputtered and then stalled. it would turn over but not start. of course the battery died and I was towed home. I checked the air filter box and it is bone dry. I hope it is just the wires are wet. The dist.cap and coil do not look as if they got wet. The motor turns over and I do smell gas when I try to start it. I just don't know where to go from here.
Help....

Timberwolf530 · Post by **Timberwolf530** » 30 Mar 2010, 09:33

It's something electrical. Let it dry out and you'll be fine. If you want to get it going a little quicker and have a salamander (forced air heater) turn that on it.

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 30 Mar 2010, 09:49

Thanks, I was hoping that was all it may be. Unfortunately I do not have a garage and it is still pouring... Approx how long do you think it will take to dry out in these Massachusetts rains we are having?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 30 Mar 2010, 09:55

Have you still got your belly pan? This thing?
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-850/Exterio ... -246-3106/

Post by **matthew1** » 30 Mar 2010, 09:59

I'm no waterologist, but I believe rain by definition is 100% humidity, and in 100% humidity conditions things won't dry out. That's what my scientist-wannabe side tells me.

My DIYer side tells me you should put silica bags under the hood -- you know, those packets that are labeled DON'T EAT and come in, uh, food packages.

My realistic side says you'll have to buy a lot of beef jerky to get enough of them to do the job. I'd go under there with a bunch of dry towels you don't use any longer and look around for wet surfaces and dry them. Look in the spark plug holes for water, although I doubt that's the problem because they're at the very top of the engine and well protected from puddles/splashes. My realistic side also says that this idea is probably unworkable, because most likely the areas that are most affected are the hardest-to-reach areas of the engine bay.

My reckless side says to get out a hair dryer, but my survival instinct side says to leave that in the bathroom because it's raining.

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 30 Mar 2010, 10:15

Yes I do still have the belly pan. I had to run out and look. I just got the car a week ago today.

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 30 Mar 2010, 10:19

Matthew1,
I pretty much thought the same thing and in that order. I looked at the motor compartment and other than the obvious bottom of the motor the rest is dry. I did unplug each wire from the cap and they were all dry. Maybe if it ever stops raining here in new England I can get it dried out. I may have to have it towed to a garage to get some heat on it.

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 30 Mar 2010, 11:24

maybe you got some water on the o2 sensors or some water in the exhaust pipes. I don't know if that would cause what you've got going on but maybe.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 30 Mar 2010, 11:43

I'd go with a warm, dry garage using a forced are heater and maybe a dehumidifer.
But you have an issue that's not gonna just go away. Volvo is pretty good about waterproofing.
I suspect that you've got an electrical connector somewhere that is no longer "mint".

The high voltage ignition parts - Coil, cap, rotor and wires - are the first places I'd look.
When is the last time that stuff was replaced?

coustyj · Post by **coustyj** » 30 Mar 2010, 12:17

If no garage and heater try light bulbs. A 65 watt keeps my car warm when it gets a really cold wind chill in Chicago. Just be careful if its still raining. Electricity and water don't mix well. GL
Jim