Biggest Idiot on earth

[aleda_greg]

I stopped to put oil and water in my car on my way out last night as it was running alittle hot and I noticed that it was almost dry on oil, water was pretty scarce as well. There wasn't a watering can or hose pipe at the garage so I found an old oil can which I filled up with water and gave to a friend to top up while I went into the station shop to buy some oil.....guess what he did? Oh yes, a litre of water in the engine.

After pannicing and being ignorant about cars, I decided to start it and move it forward so I could drain the oil in a car bay a few metres away. After noticing a huge plumb of white smok coming out the exhaust, I realised that it was more serious than I thought. I got towed back home, ..................this morning I drained all the oil, put new oil in with engine flush but the engine won't start. the pistons won't move and it looks like it's siezed.

What would you do? flog the car? What the worst that could have happened? Have I totally screwed the engine? Problem being it's my dads car.

[mechy1barry]

remove the plugs,cover holes with weighted sheet and turn engine over,you,ve prob got water/oil on top of pistons,this will get rid of it.clean plugs and try again.

[aleda_greg]

I would if I knew anything about cars and engines. I can't turn an engine over, don't have the knowledge or tools. So is the engine destroyed or not? Would the water still be ontop of the pistons even if I started the car?

[MagicRat]

Okay, just relax. Very likely there is no permanent harm to the engine.
Did the water go into the crank case where the engine oil goes??, or did it go into the top of the engine where the air cleaner is?
From your description, the latter seems likely.
If this is the case, what has happened is that water has gotten into the cylinders. As the pistons go up and down, they suck in and compress the fuel and air mixture before igniting. In your case, water is sitting in the cylinder. As water cannot compress, the pistons cannot move and the engine will not spin. This is called 'hydraulic lock'
The solution is simple. If the car uses gasoline (not diesel) unscrew all the spark plugs. Mark the plug wires so you know where they go. Then try to start the car. The engine will rotate and shoot the water out of the plug holes. Give it a few more spins to make sure its clear of water. Clean and dry the plugs and reinstall them. The car should be fine. Just run it fir a bit, and check the oil. If it looks milky, like a milkshake, you still have water in the oil and you should change the oil again.
If you can't do this on your own, find out how, research the ned on basic car service and buy/borrow the right plug wrench.
BTW I have hydraulic locked engines on several occasions, usually from going too deep into water on off road water crossings (Jeeps and motorcycles)
If you know what to do its no big deal and easy to solve.

[aleda_greg]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Okay, just relax. Very likely there is no permanent harm to the engine.
Did the water go into the crank case where the engine oil goes??, or did it go into the top of the engine where the air cleaner is?
From your description, the latter seems likely.
If this is the case, what has happened is that water has gotten into the cylinders. As the pistons go up and down, they suck in and compress the fuel and air mixture before igniting. In your case, water is sitting in the cylinder. As water cannot compress, the pistons cannot move and the engine will not spin. This is called 'hydraulic lock'
The solution is simple. If the car uses gasoline (not diesel) unscrew all the spark plugs. Mark the plug wires so you know where they go. Then try to start the car. The engine will rotate and shoot the water out of the plug holes. Give it a few more spins to make sure its clear of water. Clean and dry the plugs and reinstall them. The car should be fine. Just run it fir a bit, and check the oil. If it looks milky, like a milkshake, you still have water in the oil and you should change the oil again.
If you can't do this on your own, find out how, research the ned on basic car service and buy/borrow the right plug wrench.
BTW I have hydraulic locked engines on several occasions, usually from going too deep into water on off road water crossings (Jeeps and motorcycles)
If you know what to do its no big deal and easy to solve.

You saved my life Magicrat!!!!!! I now have my life and my dignity, and I still have a father who loves me..I can't thank you enough!!!

Greg