How to hydro-lock an XJ!

[Explorer 1]

Sad story, but my friend was too aggressive when crossing the Mojave River in Afton Canyon and now faces the music of a cracked block.

Fun one minute, big bucks the next! :snorkel:



Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[Maximus Ram]

OUCH:Wow1:
Guess its time for a stocker:wings:

 

[78Bronco]

While it's an unexpected cost, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a replacement motor for cheap. Those motors are everywhere!

 

[Explorer 1]

Everywhere?????

While it's an unexpected cost, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a replacement motor for cheap. Those motors are everywhere!

You don't happen to have a cheap one on hand??? :sombrero:

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[78Bronco]

You don't happen to have a cheap one on hand??? :sombrero:

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

Not close to CA:ylsmoke:

 

[I Leak Oil]

Gotta pay to play! Lesson learned I hope...

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Did he have a more exposed, aftermarket intake? I've had my XJ in lots deeper water (over the hood) and escaped unscathed. I thought I hydro-locked it once, but was able to pull the plugs and blow all the water out with no side effects.

In any event, as has been pointed out, a stock replacement 4.0 should only be a few hundred bucks.

-----Matt-----

 

[Explorer 1]

Stock XJ

The SMURFMobile is 100 % Stock, just too heavy of a right foot when the water crested the hood and was forced into the engine compartment.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[Jeffb79]

Did he try starting it up after soaking it?
I've seen a lot of 4.0L's suck in water... They've all been fine if the driver didn't try to start them right away, but instead pulled the plugs, cranked the water out and replaced the oil a # of times.

 

[mmccurdy]

I know the exact feeling ... I hydrolocked my JK at that very spot a couple years ago. I was going probably a little slower, and the water was not even as high. Just really bad luck on the splash. Here's a pic after I pulled myself to the other side:

.... Needless to say, I now run a snorkel :snorkel: just to make sure I don't have to go through that again:

 

[Explorer 1]

Sucking in water.....

After we pulled him to dry land, I pulled off the air cleaner and asked if he could turn over the eengine. It was dead stuck alreday.

I pulled each plug and #6 was soaked. When then had him turn it over, lots of water came out of #6 and #3.

#3 stopped throwing water but #6 just kept on until we noticed that the water it was throwing was green. I tasted it and sure enough it was coolant.

The entire trip home the block was leaking coolant out of the bell housing. A compression test on #6 yielded no compression of any kind. At this point it looks like a cracked cylinder wall.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[alosix]

x2 on the snorkel.

I get asked a lot if I take my Jeep in deep water. I don't, and I normally avoid it for the most part.

But, the snorkel is there in case I f'up and dunk the nose of the Jeep somewhere I shouldn't have

I'd have hated to see that JK repair bill. probably not too many used 3.8s around that time. At least finding a 4.0 for that XJ won't be much of an issue.

Jason

 

[The Swiss]

Ouch! Just a tad to quick and lot's of bad luck. Can't really blame him too much. I've had my Jeeps in deeper water without problems (knock on wood it stays that way), but I always take it very slow.

 

[mmccurdy]

I'd have hated to see that JK repair bill. probably not too many used 3.8s around that time. At least finding a 4.0 for that XJ won't be much of an issue.

$5800.

Insurance covered it, though, much to my surprise.

Very few motors back then -- I spent two weeks thinking I was going to be on the hook for the whole bill before the insurance came through. These days you can pick up a 3.8 for a song with all the Hemi swaps going on -- I think I saw one for less than $500 the other day.

 

[Seeker]

I keep getting asked about the snorkel on my truck and I tell people it's not because I take the truck into deep water, but because by the time you found out you need one, it's too late. One bad bounce, one unseen hole in the water and you've heaped a bunch of work on yourself.

Money well spent in my book.