Volvo 850 Turbo Flooded Cranks But Won't Start

mctruth · Post by **mctruth** » 25 Aug 2011, 08:36

Hello,
I have a 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon. On sunday I was driving in a rainstorm and ran right into a flash flood that had developed in an intersection. The water was right above bumper level. The car stalled and I like an idiot tried to start it. My friend came and pushed me out when the water went down. After two days I checked to see if it would start and all it will do is crank. I checked the oil and it looks good. I don't think the water came up high enough to get the distributor and spark plugs wet and they look fine. Did I make the situation worse trying to start it? What should be the first steps towards diagnosing the problem?

Any help would be much appreciated. THANKS!

-Sulaiman

mctruth · Post by **mctruth** » 25 Aug 2011, 09:32

Some more information about the situation:

My insurance company just called and said they will give me $3600 for the loss of the vehicle. Gotta love how these old Volvos keep there value. If I want to keep the car they will let me keep it with a salvage title and give me $2850. So basically I'm buying my car back for $750.

Also I have to correct myself I only checked the distributor, not the spark plugs, but it's raining like crazy again so I'll have to wait to check them until tomorrow.

Anyway would love to know if people think it's worth keeping, and what the chances are of getting it running again.

Thanks,
Sulaiman

Post by **keepersboy** » 25 Aug 2011, 10:38

I would take the ins. money buy the salvage and run. Sounds like you just have some minor problem if the water was only up to the bumper. I would start by pulling a spark plug, grounding it to see if you have a spark. If it turns over fine, then I would guess you did not get water inside the engine. You might pull the cover off by fuses and see if area around fuel relay is really wet.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 25 Aug 2011, 12:24

I'd pull the car out of the rain and let it dry off for a day or two - if possible. Stuff can start to rust pretty quick under these circumstances.

If the water didn't get above the bumper, you may have lost the alternator and the starter motor. Did you look inside the airbox for water?

If you didn't get water in the engine, I'd take the salvage title with the $$, replace any part that is looking aged, then use the leftover coin for a little celebration.

Side note - or question. What does your insurance company do once you have a 'salvaged' car - insure the same car for the same price and provide you with the same benefits? Seems like a nifty way to get a few bucks back from 'The Man'!

Post by **cn90** » 25 Aug 2011, 12:35

Remove Spark Plugs and let it dry out.

It might have been Hydrolocked = engine death!

mctruth · Post by **mctruth** » 25 Aug 2011, 13:03

I live in city with street parking only, so I have no where to move it. I will remove the spark plugs as you guys suggested and than go from there. Once it becomes salvaged it will only be eligible for liability coverage, no collision or comprehensive coverage, but that's alright since I'll have already been paid the value of the car. What does it take for the engine to become hydrolocked?

Thanks,
Sulaiman

mctruth · Post by **mctruth** » 25 Aug 2011, 13:05

One more question, could the starter be bad even if it's cranking?

IceTurbo · Post by **IceTurbo** » 25 Aug 2011, 16:27

If it's possible water got into the air intake system, which it sounds like it is, one possibility you could check would be the MAF sensor, it could have shorted out. Are you getting any Check Engine Lights?