1989 Toyota Corolla Flooded Engine?

Tiny
ICOFM
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 147,000 MILES
Recently I went through a large puddle in the middle of the road at night, which I did not notice till the last second. Afterwords car seemed to have had a loss of power and a rumbling noise began occurring from underneath the vehicle, specifically from where the cat is situated. I checked the engine bay and the fluids, and all seem dry, although the loss of power and noise from underneath the vehicle still persist. What could the problem be? Did water get into the cat or another component of the exhaust system? The vehicle does seem to idle fine and start up quick. Also when I have it in neutral and I rev till the rpms get up high the rumbling discontinues till the rpms are brought back down. White smoke is also visible upon cold starts from that area underneath the vehicle.
Sunday, December 27th, 2009 AT 12:22 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Most likely water got in muffler and CAT the white smoke is water vapor. Will dry out but CAT damage may have occured.
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Sunday, December 27th, 2009 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
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I drove the car today and the loss of power was gone, along with the rumbling of the exhaust. Seems to be going back to normal. I'm guessing its all drying out, but yeah, hopefully no cat damage was done. I'll have to check that out when the weather gets warmer over here.

Thank you for your input.
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
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Hope it gets back to normal the cold air will make drying out take a little lom
nger.
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 7:52 AM
Tiny
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Thank you. Yeah, this occurred at a perfect time.
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
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  • 9 POSTS
Yesterday something pretty bad happened with the exhaust. As I was driving I suddenly noticed and felt a loud rumbling and noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspecting I saw that the exhaust piping right after cat had come off due to rust. So the exhaust was running from the engine through the cat only. The car is loud now, it actually sounds kind of nice, like a vehicle with a performance exhaust system. However i'm wondering if this can cause further damage to the vehicle or to myself. I guess the water caused further rust to develop and break the pipe off the end of the cat.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2009 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
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Bummer if OEM exhaust then you got your moneys worth. Back pressure built up due to soaked muffler and guess ruptured a weak spot.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2009 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
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Yeah, stock exhaust. Twenty yrs old. Well, except the muffler. Will this outcome cause further mechanical problems/safety problems?

I really appreciate your immediate helpful responses.
Thanks.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2009 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
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Would not think so water would have to reached the valves and warped a valve. You would no this by know
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Friday, January 1st, 2010 AT 12:42 PM

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