Car running hot after partially flooded?

Posted by admin on Feb 22nd

I have a 2000 Suzuki esteem 4 door. Last week it was in a flood that rose right above the wheel/wheel well. Someone started my car and backed it out of the parking space that was flooded, but then it stalled and wouldn’t start. Had it towed home, let it dry for a week, still wouldn’t start.

We took out the spark plugs and water squirted out when we tried to turn it over. Tested the started, that is fine. Charged battery and the car started (rough at first). I took it IMMEDIATELY to get an oil change and transmission fluid changed.

I noticed that the temp gauge is showing it’s running hotter then usual. Any ideas why? They opened the radiator cap and some radiator fluid came out, but I wouldn’t think enough for the fluid level to now be low and make it over heat. Any ideas? How can I tell if the radiator fluid is low and needs more?

Also, we are going to be adding an additive to the gas to help it get rid of the water in the gas/engine. Can this be used while the engine seems to be running hot? Doesn’t this gas additive make the engine run hot so it burns up the water? I just don’t want my car to over heat since it already seems to be running hot.

Filed Under: Water for Gas FAQ
Tagged: After, flooded, partially, Running

5 Responses to “Car running hot after partially flooded?”

Feb 22nd at 5:22 am By: fireball67

open hood look in at the radiator mud/dabre can be stuck in the fins.

Feb 22nd at 5:38 am By: E-rock

The engine ‘additive’ you’re adding to the tank is essentially alcohol. It doens’t make the engine run hotter. What it does is mix with any water in there, turning that water into a weak alcohol mixture (gasoline doesn’t mix with water) that will burn in the engine. It has no bearing at all on the issue of running hot.

Your cooling system needs to be thoroughly checked out. Flooding can screw up a lot of stuff. A bad electrical connection could cause the gage to read incorrectly, or cause the electric fan to not come on when it’s supposed to. Really there could be any number of issues, but it’s not something to ignore. Make sure the radiator is full and the reservoir is properly filled as well.

Feb 22nd at 5:51 am By: Mr.Help

when your car stalled it suffered a condition called hydrolock which cracks pistons,heads,bends piston rods ect take it to a shop have a compression test done checking for a cracked head sorry but things happen
hope this helps

Feb 22nd at 5:59 am By: KingAndrew

I would guess that your catalytic converter is ruined or plugged and that will cause your car to run hot and also to lose power. Also, if someone started the car and the motor was in the water, it could have damaged the fan that cools the water. Check those and see if it helps.

Feb 22nd at 6:22 am By: Kent H

the radiator builds up pressure when it is hot. if you open it then the radiator will spew the hot fluid out. that’s why you don’t open it hot. you probably have low fluid in the radiator because it can still build up pressure with low fluid. check the fluid when it is cold. add half radiator fluid half water if possible.
engine additive should be fine with more radiator fluid. fill the overflow too.

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Car running hot after partially flooded?