1989 3.0 V6 bad engine knock/ping

[howerton76]

So last night I was out on 520 a local mud hole here in florida and my 4runner decided to die on me in the middle of a mud hole, i was about 3 feet deep in water maybe 4 feet in some places, water was coming in through the door and the 4runner didn't even want to start, she did turn over but wouldn't start. i was able to tow her out with my mazda tribute and she still wouldn't start on dry land. i got her home dropped the oil and found it to be like muddy water or a chocolate looking milk shake, so i cleaned her up checked the spark plugs and they weren't fouled bad and i couldn't see in water in the spark plug hole or anything like that. i add new oil and filter started her up and there was a real loud knock/pinging noise coming from the engine. so yeah any suggestions to what to do? or whats wrong? thanks!

 

[04 sc V8]

Uh oh, that doesn't sound good! It sounds to me like you hydrolocked the engine and did some major damage by trying to start it with H2O in the cylinders.

 

[howerton76]

maybe? but it did turn over so doesn't that mean its not locked? and it does start with the first crank but the thing is it knocks real loud while its running. so i don't know, i definitely learned my lesson : ( i miss my 4runner not running, i had to barrow my friends truck to move my boat. oh well thanks for helping!