So my jeep was stuck in a small creek for 3 days. It poured all 3 days due to hurricane laurence and so the gas tank was a least halfway submerged but due to water in the cab, i'm thinking it was at some point fully submerged in the water. When I got pulled out and started the car and drove it, it was fine and then a couple minutes later it started to bog down so I was giving it gas to keep it alive but it eventually wasn't moving and just died. I figured water got into the fuel because I do know that the fuel pump seal is a bit leaky as gas will come out at the station if i pump gas past the first time it automatically stops. Well anyway, the tow truck guy started it, got it to run a little, drove it a minute down the trail to where it could be pulled out. I had about a full 16 gallon tank minus a couple gallons maybe and siphoned about 8 gallons I'd say. When I first started siphoning it was clear there was water in it as the "gas" looked just like water. Then it started to turn yellowish again so I kept pumping till the 8 gal was out. I added iso-heet and 2 gallons of regular gas. It started and eventually bogged down again. I went and got about 7 gallons of premium gas and poured it in, rocked the jeep and it wouldn't start. What else should I do to get it going? I don't have money to take it to a shop to have it looked at as I just spent $300 bucks to get it towed out. The first tow truck that came to get me got stuck, then a second one came to get it out as well as the tow companies boss with a 90s powerstroke. Powerstroke got stuck on the way back where the first tow truck had originally gotten stuck. Needless to say, the owner was a bit angry at everything that happened, especially because there was a crazy house owner claiming we were on his property so we had to deal with the cops. Anyway, I just need some more ideas of how to get it running and if I screwed my engine or if maybe my starter is gone from trying to start it so much. I waited a solid 30 seconds before attempting to start it each time.
Assuming this is fuel related and not electrical, remove the spark plugs, pull the fuel pump relay and crank the engine until the mist stops. Wait a bit longer for things to dry out. Put it all back together.
Hopefully you didn't bend a valve or push rod when you got it running the last time.
Hopefully you didn't bend a valve or push rod when you got it running the last time.
Ok i’ll try that tomorrow. Do you think I should have drained more of the old fuel than I did?
Can't hurt. Were you able to get the siphon all the way to the bottom of the tank?
Not sure but I think so given the fact water was the first thing to come out.
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If your Jeep sat in a creek for 3 days, I would go through every single fluid and change it... That is a pretty nasty scenario that could lead to some big issues down the road if you don't take care of a few things immediately. As others have said, change the oil before you even try cranking it again.
Didn’t think about that however my engine wasn’t in water at all. It’s hard to explain the way I was stuck but the front was completely up out of any water. The jeep was tilted up on a ledge/hill whatever thing at a fairly steep angle. Only the back end was in the water but i’ll still check.
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I’ll change the oil and remove the spark plugs etc tomorrow when I can get back to it. Do you think I should try and siphon out more of the gas and see if more water is in there? Also is there anything else you think could be causing it not to run? I have been assuming it is just the fuel tank since it did start absolutely fine and drove for a few minutes before it bogged down. The jeep was at a steep angle when it was in the creek and the water/mud line only reaches the back of the front seats.
Flib
TJ Enthusiast
myself I would drain the entire tank, even if it means taking it off. Muddy water contains silt so lord knows how much crap is in the tank (I am assuming it was muddy water as it was a result of lots of rain). Replace your fuel filter and for what it costs to drain the oil and replace the filter I would do that too.
x2 on removing the plugs and clearing the cylinders.
x2 on removing the plugs and clearing the cylinders.
Yeah i know. I had to do it a few months ago to replace the pump. It’s hard to drop on mine because the previous owner welded on a hitch so it blocks it from coming off easily. Also my tank is full rn so it’ll be really heavy and i don’t live where the jeep is parked so i don’t have a floor jack or anything to help. I can siphon it all out though. I just removed the filler hose to bypass the antisiphon thing so after I remove the existing water from the lines. If it doesn’t start i’ll siphon every drop out.
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Flib
TJ Enthusiast
sorry man but you are making matters worse by not taking the advice being given here, as much as it sucks you need to do this right or you are only asking for more problems.
Chill dude. I’m not in the same city as my jeep. I’m gonna do everything people have recommended when I get back there. Starting with changing the oil. I’m gonna siphon out ever drop And if I can’t it would just be a nightmare to drop my tank and the only way I got it back up last time was because i had multiple people helping wedge it back in. I understand it’s not normally hard to do but in my case there is something in the way so it makes it nearly impossible, especially without having the proper tools to do it. I’m not dissing anyone’s advice. Just elaborating on the conditions so people can give their best advice for my situation. I understand what is the best thing to do but I am tight on cash after filling my tank originally for the hurricane and having to pay for premium as it was the only thing around. Also stocking up of supplies for all the hurricane stuff. And buying more gas for after I siphoned some out. And paying to get it towed out and missing 4 days or work. I’m just trying to get it running so I can get it back to where I live. I’m just in a the worst possible scenario right now.
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Flib
TJ Enthusiast
lol, I'm as chill as can be, its not my jeep
the issue with just siphoning out the contents of the tank is it could be full of crap, which even with fresh gas means you will be continuously sucking crap into your fuel system and engine, clogged filters, clogged injectors, silt can score the cylinder walls etc etc.
and if you end up dropping the tank take the time and cut off the hitch buddy welded on.
Good luck and lets us know how you make out.
Yeah. I’m definitely gonna do that at some point. It’s just that my jeep is sitting 45 minutes away from where I live in some neighborhood. It’s just hard to drive back and forth and take time and without the correct tools but i’ll definitely clean it all out. I tried cutting it off when I originally replaced the pump a few months ago but it threw a lot of sparks and being that it’s right next to the tank, i didn’t want to blow myself up and now where it’s parked there are no outlets remotely close and all my power tools are wired except the impact I have. I’m gonna change all the fluids etc it just costs more and more money and time and driving back and forth which is more gas. It’s just a bad situation [emoji53]
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I have a hydraulic floor jack. This jeep is my daily and only car so i’ve been getting rides from friends back and forth. I’d leave it in my car but i’m out of space in there and I don’t want to leave anything valuable outside of it when i’m not there as it’s a sketchy place and someone has already stolen my license plate for some odd reason. It’s my fault tho as it was just zip tied on but still.
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