73 Cj5 Flooded by water puddle.

[wonstow]

I have a 73 CJ5 I6. In Feb 2008 I drove thru a large puddle and the engine immediately died. I tried to restart it by rolling it down a hill and popping the clutch. That didn't work. I repeated this over the next several weeks but with no luck. I attempted this again in Jan 2012 and the engine would not turn over, the rear tires just skidded. I removed the spark plugs and the engine turned over. I reinstalled the spark plugs and the rear tires skidded just like before. Is the crank shaft bent or are the pistons/cylinders frozen together?

 

[IOPort51]

when you say "large puddle" is that over the hood? did you suck water in the carb? did you get the distributor wet? If you got water in the distributor cap it will not start and more than likely, this time of year, won't dry out by itself. if the potting is deteriorated in the ECM and you splash it with water it will short and never work again,
If it won't turn over it could be the battery running down, Do you usually start it by rolling it down a hill? are you getting any spark at the plugs at all?

 

[CJim7]

Wait....You waited 4 years to try and start it again?

Edit: Man, if you got water down in the engine...and waited that long...

 

[73CJ]

73s had a weakness to get wet points. Sounds like water got into the cylinders. Pull the plugs and try to turn it over by the front pulley bolt. I suspect the starter won't do anything. If no luck, put some Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder. Let sit days or weeks then give her a try.

Worst case is pull the head. . . .

IO - no ECM on 73s

 

[Old Dog]

Wait....You waited 4 years to try and start it again?

Edit: Man, if you got water down in the engine...and waited that long...

I don't know what else to say.

 

[coldair]

I don't know what else to say.

Sounds like you have a new boat anchor. I wouldnt waste anymore time get a rebuilt or a good used motor.

 

[jeepboy45]

Wait....You waited 4 years to try and start it again?

Edit: Man, if you got water down in the engine...and waited that long...

X2 on all points.

 

[73CJ]

I don't know what else to say.

Don't be so hard on wonstow guys.

I say better late than never. I've seen motors sit way longer than 4 years. Its still a CJ and they never die.

 

[wonstow]

I replaced the starter, condenser, points, cap, and rotor. Got it started briefly after pouring some gas directly into the carb. The gas tank has a gallon of fresh gas but the gas line has only air. I was able to determine that the gas line is clear by blowing compressed air thru it. Should I manually crank the engine until it draws gas to the carb.?

 

[IOPort51]

NO!! I shudder to think about what is in that tank. see if you can cyphen some out just to check the condition of it but I would drop and clean the tank.

I replaced the starter, condenser, points, cap, and rotor. Got it started briefly after pouring some gas directly into the carb. The gas tank has a gallon of fresh gas but the gas line has only air. I was able to determine that the gas line is clear by blowing compressed air thru it. Should I manually crank the engine until it draws gas to the carb.?

 

[jeepboy45]

I removed the spark plugs and the engine turned over. I reinstalled the spark plugs and the rear tires skidded just like before.

On a positive note, sounds like the compression is decent!!
Since the earlier posts, you got it cranking at least. To be honest, that suprised me to hear that you got it to turn over. Congrats on that anyway. dont give up...YOUR JEEP WILL RIDE AGAIN

I second what IO mentioned above, drop the tank and clean it out!! It wouldnt be a bad idea to blow out the lines from the engine to the tank.

Your carb is probably full of "mung" ... (my term for lots of crud, junk, and all around goo) Probably going to require a thorough soaking at minimum.

 

[rr41mag]

Post Katrina there were ALOT of vehicles beig sold for real cheap. I know one guy that bought a 96 corvette for 1500. He had alot of work drying it out but he's driving it. It's alot of work drying out a vehicle. At the very least I would say you should pull the head. Overhaul the distributor, and the starter. Put good clean gas in it. Change the oil.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

IF you got it to crank and start by pouring fuel down the carb I would get a 10' long peice of fuel line to run to a gas can. hook it up and crank it till it starts. at least you will know if the engine is good before droppingthe fuel tank, which you should do any way. My 84 was locked up with water in 2 cylinders (ran down the intake to open valves) I pulled the head, loaded it up with penetrating fluid, care fully turned it back and forth by hand for a few days until it went to BDC then ran some fine grit (oiled)emory clothe on the rusty spot on the wall until I couldnt feel the line from the rust. Put it back together, dumped a little gas straight into the open intake and for hahas gave it a turn.. fired right up. Scared the out of me.

These motors are strong, you may also need to clean up the carb some if you havent done it yet.. after that much time I would think it has gummed up.

 

[73CJ]

Post Katrina there were ALOT of vehicles beig sold for real cheap. I know one guy that bought a 96 corvette for 1500. He had alot of work drying it out but he's driving it. It's alot of work drying out a vehicle. At the very least I would say you should pull the head. Overhaul the distributor, and the starter. Put good clean gas in it. Change the oil.

I'm thinking he drove through a puddle, not submerged it in a lake . . .

 

[Razorfish]

Once I had a thousand dollar bill but the store was closed so I couldn't buy anything so I left it in the yard between a tree and old BBQ for 4 years. Just kidding. Good luck getting it going again.