99 caravan went through flooded street

[tempestdrake1215]

I have a 1999 dodge grand caravan flex fuel 85,000 miles. My husband ran it through a large puddle of water on the street during and flash flood in our area. The van stalled and hubby had to push it out then it started after about 30 to 40 mins of trying to let is dry out it started but now it knocks and the belt seems to squeal all the time and before it was just when it got wet and it would go away. It has yet to give me a code or anything it isn't telling me anything is wrong at all I start it and it seems fine minus the knocking and the squealing. What is going on? Little more info the Van made it out of the water then stalled on the hill into a shopping center.

[MagicRat]

If the water was very deep or your hubby drove through it fast, some water may have made it past the air filter and was sucked into the engine.
Unlike air, water does not compress. If one cylinder sucked in more than approx. 50 cc or so of water, the piston, valve(s) or connector rod may have become damaged by trying to compress the uncompressable. This would stall the engine. The bent or damaged part may well be knocking now because it is bent or broken.

Alternatly, an accessory like the power steering pump might be causing a knocking noise and causing the belt to drag and squeal.
Try this.... remove the belt and start the engine. It's safe to run it for 30 sec or so with no belt. Does the knocking go away? If yes, a belt-driven accessory is bad. If the knock is still there, the engine may be damaged.

Also check the engine and transmission oils Do they look good or milky/frothy. If it's the latter, water has contaminated the oil. Such water-contaminated oil can also cause engine damage and odd noises, but usually after a fair amount of driving.

[tempestdrake1215]

I checked the oil and it seems fine not milky or anything though I have not driven it since Sunday 5/24/09 to really let it I guess run through. I did have to have the p/s pump replaced because it was leaking even before we got it. Our mechanic replaced a filter or something instead for a cheaper fix. Now when we popped the hood to see what was going on I did not see any water near the air filter not saying it did not get in there because it would not surprise me one bit. Since it was very deep. Now if it is the engine problem is it really worth us getting it fixed. Or just junking it. Oh I forgot to say that while we were driving it was smoking white smoke I took this as water hitting the engine as we were getting it home. I am kinda at a loss at this Van I love it and my husband hates it. It has several times every summer stalled and leaves me and my kids on the side of the road dead we have it towed to the mechanics and everyone has said to us that there is nothing wrong so at that point we did have the fuel pump replaced just in case because to me I would step on the gas and it would seem to bog down and die( or felt like it ran out of gas). I will try your belt idea this afternoon and see if it continues. THANKS so much!!

[MagicRat]

You will get some steam when water hits a hot exhaust system.

If the knock persists, ask a mechanic for a diagnosis. It's possible that, if the mechanic can verify the knock is 'flood damage' your insurance company might cover the repair cost.
It depends on the insurance coverage and their generosity.

[tempestdrake1215]

Ok I am pretty sure it is the belt tensioner since the oil isn't milky or anything and when I pull the throttle the squealing goes away and the knocking seems to also go away or it is quite when the gas is pressed. So I know where this piece is and will change it myself but I have not really found anything that tells me how I can replace this thing I feel around it and can not feel anything. I went to auto zone and go figure all they have is a diagram and it isn't very accurate but if I look up other things it shows me that.