Veteran fording advice?

[SenditTr4]

So after much troubleshooting relays, fuses, grounds, wiring, starter, fuel pump, ECM, and battery I've got my 4runner's engine running..I replaced the ECM after realizing it wouldn't display the check engine light or and engine codes. Next I replaced the starter which was full of river gunk being that it was the main component that had sat under water for 24 hours. Of course I dropped the gas tank and emptied it and filled it back with a couple gallons of gas and half a bottle of rubbing alcohol (at least a gallon of water was in the tank). I inspected fuel pump and tested it for pressure and disconnected the schrader valve and blew out the fuel lines. Now voila the 3vze has life again ..if thats what you want to call it. It went from running great before I tried fording a local river and hit a low spot and now the engine is running awful. Its rough, the idle is surging, and it doesn't quite seem to get to a sustained rhythm or consistent sound. I still have to change the differential, tranny, tcase, and motor oils. And i guess i should replace the plugs and wires... But has anybody experienced such a dramatic change without the actual intake ingesting any water? The oil in the engine still looks brand new with nooo water in it so I don't think any water went through the intake or back the exhaust especially considering they both were not submerged for any proof time. If anyone has pointers or previous experince I'd be glad hear it. Thanks!

Edit: also cleaned distributor and checked valve/ignition timing.

 

[SenditTr4]

She sat there for about 24 hours before getting a massive tractor down there to get her

 

[greatape]

Must have took a lot more water than that pulling it out or before...

 

[SenditTr4]

Must have took a lot more water than that pulling it out or before...

Only in the fuel and front diff have i found ANY signs of water. I cleaned out the fuel system and im burning whatever residual is left with alcohol. The motor oil looks good as i said. And both the intake and exhaust were out of water. (Both are on the drivers side). The entire time i ran it in the water was barely halfway over the tires so it isnt like i was deep. Even the other three tires in the picture show the depth of the water..just hit a hole and got hi centered on the front axle and it let in enough water to get to my ECM..

 

[greatape]

Only in the fuel and front diff have i found ANY signs of water. I cleaned out the fuel system and im burning whatever residual is left with alcohol. The motor oil looks good as i said. And both the intake and exhaust were out of water. (Both are on the drivers side). The entire time i ran it in the water was barely halfway over the tires so it isnt like i was deep. Even the other three tires in the picture show the depth of the water..just hit a hole and got hi centered on the front axle and it let in enough water to get to my ECM..

Beautiful truck and looks like your doing the right things to get it back running right, fortunately I have no experience with my current rig but years ago in a friends yes. We did what you are doing and the water in the fuel system was the biggest PITA and took a few days. Hope it works out and believe it will be ok...

 

[SenditTr4]

Beautiful truck and looks like your doing the right things to get it back running right, fortunately I have no experience with my current rig but years ago in a friends yes. We did what you are doing and the water in the fuel system was the biggest PITA and took a few days. Hope it works out and believe it will be ok...

Thank you. Your rig is awesome! I'd love to trade trucks if you're ever interested! Hahaha jk jk. I love it and i have a whole list of things to do to it! Atm just want to figure out why it's running so rough. dont get me wrong it runs as long as the key is on and doesn't die or anything, but i want it to purr like it was before taking it for a swim. Need someone else that has been swimming enough to know everything it might effect.

Who knows maybe it's just the residual little slugs of water making their way into the injectors causing it to change idle and occasionally seem like its missing! Maybe it will work itself out after there isn't any residual water left! Fingers crossed it'll be alright and maybe someone on the site can give some wisdom.....besides "don't go swimming without the proper preparations"... Or "Thats a 4runner not a boat!" LOL

 

[kc15842]

I'd also pull the distributor cap as you may have gotten moisture inside. Just a bit of moisture in there and it will run like crap.

 

[SenditTr4]

I'd also pull the distributor cap as you may have gotten moisture inside. Just a bit of moisture in there and it will run like crap.

Forgot to mention I cleaned the distributor cap and cleaned it out as well as checked the ignition timing compared to valve timing! My bad! Great advice though. Thanks kc

 

[greatape]

Thank you. Your rig is awesome! I'd love to trade trucks if you're ever interested! Hahaha jk jk. I love it and i have a whole list of things to do to it! Atm just want to figure out why it's running so rough. dont get me wrong it runs as long as the key is on and doesn't die or anything, but i want it to purr like it was before taking it for a swim. Need someone else that has been swimming enough to know everything it might effect.

Who knows maybe it's just the residual little slugs of water making their way into the injectors causing it to change idle and occasionally seem like its missing! Maybe it will work itself out after there isn't any residual water left! Fingers crossed it'll be alright and maybe someone on the site can give some wisdom.....besides "don't go swimming without the proper preparations"... Or "Thats a 4runner not a boat!" LOL

Lol! Right on..keep us posted for sure...

 

[SenditTr4]

Will do. Won't have much chance to work on it this week due to getting a concussion and broke nose at work yesterday. Working in a maximum security psychiatric hospital for the manifestly dangerous is a hell of a gig. Doctor actually said i should limit my screen time to let my brain rest so ill keep updates coming whenever i feel good enough to actually get in this texas heat and work on it some more! Turning in for now. Look forward to possible replies in the morning.

 

[sam24th]

Grab a can of WD40 and liberally spray it on all your sparkplugs and dizzy. You probably got some water in a place you shouldnt have and its shortening out. All the Ozzys carry WD40 in their trucks for multiple reasons and this is one of them. When I visited my uncle in Oz, we did a water crossing where the engine shut off int he middle of a creek. Winched it across and sprayed it down with WD. I must say I was a skeptic, but it works. It displaces the water and is dielectric. I've actually used this trick a few times after washing the engine bay. Also extend your breathers if you still havent done that yet.

 

[SenditTr4]

Grab a can of WD40 and liberally spray it on all your sparkplugs and dizzy. You probably got some water in a place you shouldnt have and its shortening out. All the Ozzys carry WD40 in their trucks for multiple reasons and this is one of them. When I visited my uncle in Oz, we did a water crossing where the engine shut off int he middle of a creek. Winched it across and sprayed it down with WD. I must say I was a skeptic, but it works. It displaces the water and is dielectric. I've actually used this trick a few times after washing the engine bay. Also extend your breathers if you still havent done that yet.

Never thought about directly on the spark plugs. Hmm I'll have to try that for sure! After this I'll be looking to extend breathers on both diffs tranny and tcase and rigging up an older jeep Cherokee snorkel to fit this wonky airbox we are stuck with. Lol. Actually i was reading the Camry from the same year has the same MAF sensor and the box is a bit smaller allowing for more room on the drivers side and easier access to install a snorkel. Might take a trip to the salvage yard for that one.

On an odd note i was letting it run for a couple minutes late last night and noticed the small box that runs the ignition wire to the distributor AND the ignition wire itself was sending spark right through the wire sleeve and around the box itself. Idk what the Hell thats about.

 

[kc15842]

Good call, check at night while dark for spark jumping places it shouldn't.

 

[TOYO74]

I read that you "cleaned" the fuel system but did you replace your fuel filter? Partially blocked filter can cause the symptoms you are having.

Another thing: is the "box" you mentioned your igniter? That could be damaged from water/muck since you said there were sparks jumping around it.

Good luck--hope you soon find the problem and get back to wheeling. Watch those water holes!

P.S. Another thing--if you really used "rubbing alcohol" the usual store variety is only 70% isopropyl and 30% water. 70% isopropyl alcohol isn't all that good for internal combustion. You might try some automotive alcohol like "Heet" or other like brand. .

 

[RonJR]

You might try replacing the distributor cap, not just cleaning it. When you get moisture inside, the spark can arc across the cap and leave little carbon trails that remain conductive even after the cap dries out. I had a miserable time with that on my first car, a '65 Chevy, - symptoms were similar to yours - until I replaced the cap. Ran great after that.

 

[SenditTr4]

I read that you "cleaned" the fuel system but did you replace your fuel filter? Partially blocked filter can cause the symptoms you are having.

Another thing: is the "box" you mentioned your igniter? That could be damaged from water/muck since you said there were sparks jumping around it.

Good luck--hope you soon find the problem and get back to wheeling. Watch those water holes!

P.S. Another thing--if you really used "rubbing alcohol" the usual store variety is only 70% isopropyl and 30% water. 70% isopropyl alcohol isn't all that good for internal combustion. You might try some automotive alcohol like "Heet" or other like brand. .

Yes the actual igniter is arcing to anything close to it. And i used 70% rubbing alcohol sooo i guess i f'd that up. Ill be looking for heet or something similar on the 1st come payday. I'll look into a way to test the igniter and if none then guess I'll be getting a new one. I plan on replacing the filter the 1st also.

 

[SenditTr4]

You might try replacing the distributor cap, not just cleaning it. When you get moisture inside, the spark can arc across the cap and leave little carbon trails that remain conductive even after the cap dries out. I had a miserable time with that on my first car, a '65 Chevy, - symptoms were similar to yours - until I replaced the cap. Ran great after that.

That will be my next step after checking igniter and fuel filter if the problem persists! All great advice youre all awesome!

 

[TOYO74]

Igniters are pricey! Before replacing that part, try using some electrical contact cleaner in the ends of the wire from igniter to distrib. and to both ends of each sparkplug wire (distrib end and sparkplug end). Do one at a time so you get them back in the proper place. Apply dielectric grease to all the boots on each end of the wires. Hope this helps!

Just noticed you got smacked at work. That patient needs an increased dose of sed med !

 

[SenditTr4]

Igniters are pricey! Before replacing that part, try using some electrical contact cleaner in the ends of the wire from igniter to distrib. and to both ends of each sparkplug wire (distrib end and sparkplug end). Do one at a time so you get them back in the proper place. Apply dielectric grease to all the boots on each end of the wires. Hope this helps!

Just noticed you got smacked at work. That patient needs an increased dose of sed med !

Ill try cleaning it first and greasing the wire ends for sure. Even two of the wires were arcing out so i think I'll just be replacing plugs and wires both. But i saw igniters for $40 which isn't too bad.. so even if it is bad i wont be too much in the hole for it.

And i wish it was a smack. I ate a couple punches and was still hungry. it actually happened while on the ground he got an arm free and bounced my face off the concrete hospital floor like a basketball! A smack is like a snack but concrete is still concrete hahaha. Got a CT scan today and no hemorrhaging or bruising so I'll be back at it on Saturday. Just a mild concussion! HE DEFINITELY COULD USE MORE MEDS THOUGH!

 

[TOYO74]

Hmm, well I remember the cost of an igniter for my '84 1st Gen was 200-300 dollars . If you need one and it is only $40 that would be great! Although maybe the other things you are doing will negate the need to buy one. Good luck!

Your "patient encounter" sounds like a scene from a WWF match. Hope you don't have any residual effects from the head trauma. More meds and some backup next time!