Hey Guys. Massive floods here in Newcastle over the weekend. Anyways, there was some pretty deep water around when I was trying to drive home. Did alright, the Bluebird was driving through water which had Falcons and magnas etc drowned.
Then a truck sped past me and washed me into some fairly deep water. Bout 30cm below the mirrors. The interior of course began to flood and the water was < 1 degree. Guy in a 4wd offered me a tow so I swam under the front end hooked up a tow cable and got her out of there.
problem is that water got sucked into the engine through the exhaust definitely and possibly through the Air filter. Spent yesterday on the side of the highway. Changed the oil twice, drilled some holes in the exhaust, and got it running. Got some oil coloured oil again (instead of chocolate milk) and the water which had been sitting on one of the pistons during some test startups is now gone. managed to drive it home but it has a ticking noise which increases in speed as the engine revs up, dad thinks it's a tappet. Also the car lost power a few times on my way home. And the interior is pretty wet (read soaked from the the top of the seat where my ass is to the floor). And I'm not that mechanically adept.
I might be able to claim on insurance but I don't want to lose my no claim bonus or spend $900 for excess or lose my beloved Bluebird. What do people think? Can it be fixed? For how much do we think? What do I need to do? Anyone around Newcastle willing to lend a hand?
Well I'm going out to change my filters and oil (again)