sunk rodeo back end = now wont start

[tim christopher]

I went to the lake today and launched my boat in some soft sand that gave way and ended up dropping the back end of my rodeo in water deep enough that i had water coming in the tailgate and in the driver side door when i went to get out to go get help. The car stayed running while I was stuck but when i finally went and got help and was pulled out, the rodeo would not start. It cranks fine but will not start. The engine was never close to being covered in water, so I am wondering what happened and why it will not start. Any help will be appreciated???

[amigo-2k]

Start by checking the fuses.

Maybe water got to the top of tank and some water got in?

One thing you will need to change is the rear diffy oil since water probably got in.

[Cat Fuzz]

The fuel tank and fuel pump are back there. Maybe the water shorted the fuel pump power wires.

[tim christopher]

I do hear the quiet sound prior to trying to start it that I believe it the electric fuel pump "priming it" ?? Is it safe to assume the fuel pump is working. I did check the fuel pump fuse-its fine. The fuel pump relay is hard to tell if its bad, maybe replace that??

[FL 3.2L]

What? No youtube video link?

Auto or manual?

[trooperbc]

mmm, sounds like you ought to do what they've been saying about checking the fuel pump connections back there, remove them, clean them, reinstall them. also look at the fuel loading hoses and connectors, as well as the evap hoses and make sure they are solid and not a way for water to enter the fuel system.

if you suspect water in the fuel, remove hose at fuel filter and pump some into a container and look for water (remember fuel floats on top of the water). this will also definitely tell you whether your fuel pump is working. if water did get into the fuel, it's possible that the engine continued to run fine at the angle you were stuck, but when leveled out, the fuel pickup now picked up the water which would go to the lowest point in the tank.

the only thing about the engine that concerns if from this statement:

Originally Posted by tim christopher

....The engine was never close to being covered in water, ...

do you mean water did come up on the engine? at all?

i wouldn't worry about sucking water up the tail pipe, it works the other way around, with the sucking happening at the intake end and exhaust-ing out the exhaust pipe. but if you are concerned about water in the oil if th engine was submerged at all, just do an oil/filter change.

any additional news or info?

//bc

[amigo-2k]

Also, if it was hydrolocked, the engine wouldn't turn at all.

[ibew595]

is this correct?
Got stuck with engine running.
Shut down Rodeo and got help.
Was pulled out and it wouldn't start.

My guess is the muffler and exhaust system is clogged with water creating too much pressure for the car to start. Use a jack to lift up the front end and see what comes out.
If the Rodeo was running until after it was pulled out then you have electrical gremlins.

[tim christopher]

new fuel pump, fuel filter, plugs, drained tank-new gas, fuel injection cleaning, drained and chained differential oil, oil and filter. runs like new. I am mad at myself but it could have been worse. I am trying to think of the repairs as scheduled maintenance since it has 71,500 miles and had never had any of the above done to it??

Thanks for the tips,

[FL 3.2L]

Sweet! Exactly where do you think the water got into the tank?