HELP! V8 DC LC Diesel engine contaminated with (salty) water

[MrElephant]

I was out at Melkbos4x4 earlier today just doing a fun ride. Made a bad move into a surprisingly deep puddle and couldn't back out. Electronics failed and no other 4x4s could pull me out. Front cabin footwells filled with water. Needed to wait for a tractor.

Currently it's on a table truck awaiting my decision to send it somewhere first thing tomorrow.

I'd rather not call my insurance company at this stage, because I am not 100% sure I'm covered (standard insurance) or they may otherwise delay me with a run-around. And I'm also hesitant to send it to a Toyota dealer, because this kind of incident isn't likely in their text book.

Water has breached into the intercooler filter and into the air filter (depite having a snorkel, the filter was submerged for nearly two hours), but at least the oil stick looks clean.

I made no attempt to start the engine again after electronics initially went haywire (front and rear diff locks both failed to stay engage).

Currently have in mind either to send to Hein at Burnco or out R&D, who have already done some fitting out on the vehicle.

Please advise if you know of someone else in Cape Town who'll know exactly what to do in order to minimise negative outcome, clean the baby up and get my wheels happily running again.

The car and engine has been cleaned with a pressure sprayer , but everyone is still reminding me how corrosive the water out there is... Please don't reinforce this fact to me or belittle me with any other hindsight advice. My bad, I know. :P

[carls]

Sterkte, laat weet wat gebeur !

[MrElephant]

Thank You!

[JohannP]

Nee, nie goeie nuus nie. Sterkte wat ook al gebeur dit gaan nie maklik wees nie.

Groete.

Johann.

[Shell]

Change engine oil and filter. Change air filter. Open turbo pipes and blow out any water with a compressor. Make sure no water is inside the inter cooler. Pull all the injectors, and spray some q20 in. Swing engine with starter and watch for any water coming out. Refit injectors, bleed, and she should be fine. Hopefully no water got into the engine ECU. Might be a good idea to change diff and gearbox oil too. And power steering fluid, if contaminated. Expect problems with electronics and alternator in time. Best of luck!

[Alxrow001]

That sucks, best of luck

[MrElephant]

Change engine oil and filter. Change air filter. Open turbo pipes and blow out any water with a compressor. Make sure no water is inside the inter cooler. Pull all the injectors, and spray some q20 in. Swing engine with starter and watch for any water coming out. Refit injectors, bleed, and she should be fine. Hopefully no water got into the engine ECU. Might be a good idea to change diff and gearbox oil too. And power steering fluid, if contaminated. Expect problems with electronics and alternator in time. Best of luck!

Thanks for the advice. Have taken note.

Anyone claimed under standard car insurance for an incident like this?

This part of the trail (Bakgat) at least, wasn't classed as advanced. My intentions were just to have a little fun and only to get through a few puddles...

[Francois Theron]

Speak to Johann Meyer at JB's Autos in Parow Industria. He is THE Cruiser whisperer in CT.

[offroad4x4sa]

agree with Francois get Johann to look at it

[ifx]

Who are you insured with? If its Santam, then you're likely to be covered. Of course everyone knows that you would also be covered if it was TuffStuff.

If its the lot who give you cash back for not claiming then its very likely that they'll find some excuse not to pay, but check your policy documentation, and then stick to that.

Check the policy documentation sooner rather than later, and get them involved ASAP if you are covered.

[Apocalypse]

I was out at Melkbos4x4 earlier today just doing a fun ride. Made a bad move into a surprisingly deep puddle and couldn't back out. Electronics failed and no other 4x4s could pull me out. Front cabin footwells filled with water. Needed to wait for a tractor.

Currently it's on a table truck awaiting my decision to send it somewhere first thing tomorrow.

I'd rather not call my insurance company at this stage, because I am not 100% sure I'm covered (standard insurance) or they may otherwise delay me with a run-around. And I'm also hesitant to send it to a Toyota dealer, because this kind of incident isn't likely in their text book.

Water has breached into the intercooler filter and into the air filter (depite having a snorkel, the filter was submerged for nearly two hours), but at least the oil stick looks clean.

I made no attempt to start the engine again after electronics initially went haywire (front and rear diff locks both failed to stay engage).

Currently have in mind either to send to Hein at Burnco or out R&D, who have already done some fitting out on the vehicle.

Please advise if you know of someone else in Cape Town who'll know exactly what to do in order to minimise negative outcome, clean the baby up and get my wheels happily running again.

The car and engine has been cleaned with a pressure sprayer , but everyone is still reminding me how corrosive the water out there is... Please don't reinforce this fact to me or belittle me with any other hindsight advice. My bad, I know. :P

don't even mess with this.

if you try and sort the problem to 'save' your warranty or whatever, you'll be committing fraud , and if you are found out it won't be pretty.

same for insurance.

get it taken to the dealership, report the incident to the insurance company.

keep it above board, and simply state the facts of what happened.

the Warranty won't cover it, it's accidental damage. but your warranty will only be valid if that damage is properly fixed by Toyota.

so it's an insurance claim - it's an accident. if it's covered its covered. if not... well... it is what it is.

trying to manipulate matters to make it appear to be something its not is a very bad idea!

[Poen]

Agree fully with Apoc.

Also bear in mind - the insurers want to prevent subsequent damage, therefore they want to be informed as soon as possible to enable them to decide sooner rather than later what to do to minimize damage.

Some insurers will only allow accredited people to touch their claims.

[Raymond du Plessis]

Don't be afraid of your Insurers. You have paid your premiums so go the them for assistance