Hydrolock?

[HER4x4]

Took my explorer sport, 5spd manual, for a little fun yesterday. Maybe too much fun. Hydrolocked the truck once but got it started. Unfortunately didn't have the tools on the spot to pull the spark plugs off the way you're supposed to. Then hydrolocked again. Now truck won't start. Starter clicks but doesn't turn over. Doesn't look like there is any water in the oil when I check. When push starting, the rear locks up right about the point the engine should have kicked in. Is there any hope for my truck? Everyone says it sounds like my engine is seized up. Wanted to get your opinions on it. Any ideas? And has anybody ever fixed their truck after hydrolocking it?

 

[yavapaires]

This should be a no brainer. Pull the plugs and see if it will turn over. If not, then I would say you are in for an expensive tear down and rebuild.

 

[yavapaires]

This should be a no brainer. Pull the plugs and see if it will turn over. If not, then I would say you are in for an expensive tear down and rebuild.

I am sure someone will think that was a smartass answer, but in all truthfulness, I was NOT trying to be a smartass, just truthful. Don't ever try to force a hydrostatically locked engine to turn over. Bent rods, broken pistons, or both WILL BE THE RESULT. If you let the engine sit long enough, the water will eventually find it's way out of the cylinder. Pulling the plugs speeds up the process. My only experience with this was in 1971 on an old Caterpillar with precombustion chambers. Engine would not crank after sitting over night. I didn't know what caused this, called a mechanic, and learned a valuable lesson the EASY way.

 

[snoranger]

Pull the plugs, cross your fingers and crank it.

 

[HER4x4]

Removed a spark plug, it was getting no power. Then tried turning the crank shaft and it's jammed up. Pretty sure the engine is seize.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Have to take out all the spark plugs, not just one to get the water out.

 

[HER4x4]

Will the crank shaft not turn because of the water?

 

[Blee1099]

Like everyone else said, pull the plugs and try turning the motor by hand with a large breaker bar or by simply cranking to see if any water shoots out. Wouldn't hurt to change the oil as well..

 

[snoranger]

Will the crank shaft not turn because of the water?

Usually, Yes. But you wont know for sure until you pull all the plugs and turn the motor over (either by hand or by the key). If any one of the cylinders is full of water the engine wont turn.
Hopefully thats your only problem and there is no internal engine damage.

 

[JCat]

ALL the plugs . . .

 

[Lube]

DO NOT TURN A MOTOR YOU THINK HAS A HYDRAULIC LOCK WITH THE STARTER - EVER! If you happened to get lucky and didn't bend anything, you sure will by turning it this way.

As has been pointed out - remove ALL the spark plugs, and turn it by hand ONLY. Doing otherwise can and will bend connecting rods, break pistons, bend valves and bend/break the crankshaft.

 

[unclemeat]

Check the air filter and intake. If it is the second lock up, start looking for that new junk yard motor.

 

[BigPip]

You you at least have pics of your 'FUN'? I am sure we would all love to see it and what caused your hydro-lock

 

[Axial32]

I ended up with a V8 swap after I hydro-locked my 4.0 SOHC. It completely locked up even with the plugs out couldn't turn it over with a bar on the crank. I had water standing in both lower and upper intake.

Good Luck.

 

[HER4x4]

Just got my chance today to pull all of the spark plugs. After all the plugs are pulled, the crank pulley still will not turn over the truck.

 

[snoranger]

Sounds like we have some internal engine problems...

 

[JCat]

Dear HER 4X4,
.
It should be easy to turn the crankshaft if all the plugs are removed. If you cannot turn the crankshaft via the crank pulley, it usually means that something very serious is wrong with the internal parts of the engine....or possibly that your clutch is not dis-engaging.
.
Can you move the vehicle with the clutch pushed in, OR can you put it in neutral and move the vehicle ?

 

[yavapaires]

Just got my chance today to pull all of the spark plugs. After all the plugs are pulled, the crank pulley still will not turn over the truck.

Sounds like your pushing it to try to start it did it in. You possibly broke a piston, and have the rod jammed into the block. Time to pull the pan, and see how much shrapnel you have.

 

[HER4x4]

Yes, the truck still moves when clutch is engaged or when it is in neutral.

 

[koda2000]

replacement engine time!