Well, bored with sitting indoors and watching the rain we decided (rather unwisely as it would happen) to take a drive from our very rural home into the big smoke.

A few miles down the road and after a big puddle (not massive) the car stutters to a halt.

It wont restart! Solenoid clicks and lights dim as if the starter were drawing current but not a sausage. Engine wont turn over.

Had the plugs out by the side of the road and they're arent wet so Im ruling out hydraulic lock for the moment. Air filter is wet (though not soaking) and though there is a bit of water in the bottom of the air filter housing I dont think its drawn enough water in to be a problem.

Any suggestions gentlemen?

Its a BMW 528i e39

Cheers!

just water in the electrics i'd say. hopefully a dry out should sort it

I hope so!

If it has hydrauliced, I know of people who have claimed the damage on their insurance as flood damage & been paid!

really? Thats a thought....cheers Russ

will the engine spin with no plugs in?

No.

Took all the plugs out (they were dry) and turned the key.

Just a click from the solenoid but wont turn over. Lights dim as if the starter is drawing current though - as if it suggests that the engine is seized - rather worringly - but I cant think it is if the plugs are dry.

Try whacking said starter with a lump of wood, a sierra estate I had years ago did something very similar and the whack did the trick as a temp thing. Had to strip the starter eventually though.

Mark

i don't think it would have seized. but it rules out hydraulic lock i think.
water in your starter or solenoid. shorting out i think

If the car is a manual put it into top gear , take the handbrake off and push the car forward. If the engine turns over easily then it isn't seized and may just be a starter fault, possibly full of water??

Tatered starter would get my vote.
Cheers,
Bob

my citroen zx hydraulic'd about 10 years ago - just cut out and won;t start - no bangs etc.

Got it to a garage and they took out the plugs turned it over and then started it . It ran at idle they reve'd it and it blew a conrod out the side of the block..

Insurance paid out on "Act of God" had to do a deal to get a recon iblock istead of a new block but hey hey.

So beware!

Hi Geoff,

sounds like you need a 4x4 mate

Where is the car now? Did you get it home OK?

If you need a hand, just give me a shout.

Mike

I know!

I knew selling that Disco was a bad idea! Em towed me back in the Mondy which was quite exciting - its sitting outside the house!

Cheers for the offer though!!