1990 Mazda Protege Car won't start

1990 MAZDA PROTEGE
180,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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WHITENINJA
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  • 1 POST
The road was flooded and before I realized how deep it was I was stuck in 13 inches of water and I stalled out and would not restart. I had to get out and push it out of the flooded road. I tried several times while still stuck to start it up and the car would not turn over. I pushed it out of the water and after several days it would still not start up. I used an external battery to make sure that was not the problem and it would just not crank over.

When trying to start it would either do nothing or it would click repeatedly and sound like it was trying. I never had a problem with the car starting up before I got stuck in the water. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the cause of this or how to fix it? Any suggestions would be appreciated at this point.
Jul 18, 2008 at 6:48 AM
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BILL MORIS
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  • 2 POSTS
It sounds like the engine has taken water through the intake and has become hydraulically locked. Recommend removing the spark plugs and cranking the engine. This should push with water out of the combustion chambers. Install replacement NGK spark plugs and engine will most likely start. If engine engine still will not crank the water may have caused the connecting rod to bend and if this be the case engine will need to be replaced.
Oct 15, 2008 at 7:43 PM
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