water in the gas tank. Help!

[Darlene]

Hi! I am having a problem that I hope someone will be able to help with. I have recently been the recipient of sabotage. My 2003 vibe started cutting out and then just died on me. Luckily I had made it to my driveway. It wasn't until I got my vibe back into the driveway that I noticed my gas tank lid had pry marks on it. My husband took the tank off and sure enough, there was at least 1/2 inch water in the bottom of the tank. The fuel pump was completely full of water. We emptied and cleaned the tank, put in a new fuel filter and sock, got all of the water out of the lines (up to the manifold) and ended up putting in new spark plugs as they were also soaked in water. We attempted to clean the fuel injectors. At any rate, the car still won't run. We can start it and let it run for a couple of minutes, but it dies back out. It acts like it is starved for fuel. If we try to give it gas, it chokes out quicker. The vibe has 111,000 miles and this is the first problem I've had with it. Could there be another issue that the water could have caused? We are getting codes for 'misfires detected'. I would greatfully appreciate any help, ideas or opinions on what else I need to check. Oh, I did install a new battery the day before the water killed it. I didn't know if that would be important.Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully respond to my post.Darlene

[bodhi_tree777]

Yikes. My first move would be to call the cops and have them take prints off the gas cap, door, etc and try to pin it on someone (you may have your suspects already, who knows). If possible, make someone else pay for the damages. Does your insurance cover anything like that?Welcome to the forum, btw, sorry it's under less-than-ideal circumstances.

[star_deceiver]

There's probably still water in there. Try something like this:

[Darlene]

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I did call the insurance company. My particular policy does not cover this type of incident.

[Darlene]

Hi star_deceiver,We put a product in the tank similar to the one you showed, however the car won't stay running long enough to get it through the system. Do you think there is water still trapped in the engine? How would we get that out? When we took the tank off we actually emptied, rinsed with gas, re-emtied and dried out the tank. When we took the fuel line off up toward the engine and started it, it pumped out water that was in the fuel line. Now there is just gas coming through the line (or it was this past Sunday while we worked on it.) I am considering buying fuel injectors. Would the water have caused them to get clogged? I can't find anyone in my area that cleans fuel injectors.Thanks again for the help.Darlene

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by Darlene » I can't find anyone in my area that cleans fuel injectors.Thanks again for the help.DarleneYou may not have any luck here, but you could try a local jeweler's to see if they'd allow you to run the injectors through their ultrasonic cleaner (they might just give you funny looks). In fact, you may find one at a local machine shop or custom shop (just guessing, not sure what's available in your area). I have one, but you're a bit of a drive.

[TONY TAT2]

You proably still have some water as stated from the fuel return line back into the tank,it's gona take awhile to get all that water out.Have ya pulled the spark plus ? thay could be fouled,I would try that 1st before R&R'N the Injectors.

[jimincalif]

That sux, sorry to hear this.Perhaps there was something else mixed in the water that was put in the tank. I think you're right to suspect the injectors. Also, did you check the fuel pump? Needs to be putting out sufficient pressure, I don't know the Vibe specs for this, but in my experience electric fuel pumps either work or they don't. Good luck.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »You proably still have some water as stated from the fuel return line back into the tank,it's gona take awhile to get all that water out.Have ya pulled the spark plus ? thay could be fouled,I would try that 1st before R&R'N the Injectors.This^^^^And I'd say there's water trapped in the fuel rail.

[Darlene]

Since I'm new to this forum I'm not sure how to reply to everyone's individual in-put. I will try to answer questions to the posts I have received so far. I'm not sure what the fuel rail is, but we did remove and empty the copper-looking rail that the injectors are plugged into. I didn't realize that the return fuel lines took stuff back to the gas tank. That could be an issue. We did install new spark plugs, but i'll bet they need to be removed and dried until the water is gone.We did buy and replace the fuel pump. Gas tanks aint fun to remove and empty and we didn't want to do it twice if the pump was bad. It looks like we may need to empty it again if the return lines have put water back into the tank.As far as something being mixed with the water, we're not really sure. The liquid that we emptied had an odd smell, but it was in the gas tank so we thought maybe it just took on a scent from being mixed with the gas. Since we are still getting the code for 'misfire detected', I'm still wondering about the injectors. You all are great! All of your in-put is very helpful! I'm learning a lot of stuff I didn't know before.I'll be glad to get my vibe back on the road

[TONY TAT2]

"Since we are still getting the code for 'misfire detected', I'm still wondering about the injectors."Im pretty sure that code will remain untill the OB system is cleared of the code/codes. The old method was just disconecting the battery.Now ya need a hand held diagonstic link.You may be able to get the present codes erased from Auto Zone/Advanced Auto etc. Im sure a dealer can do it but, it will cost you.A unknown substance other than water,could possibly mess up the injectors, but it could also foul the OX sensor enuff so it wont run long.

[joatmon]

2003 Vibe's do not have a fuel return line, so you don't need to worry about that.

[Darlene]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »"Im pretty sure that code will remain untill the OB system is cleared of the code/codes. The old method was just disconecting the battery.Now ya need a hand held diagonstic link.You may be able to get the present codes erased from Auto Zone/Advanced Auto etc. Im sure a dealer can do it but, it will cost you.A unknown substance other than water,could possibly mess up the injectors, but it could also foul the OX sensor enuff so it wont run long.My sister's boyfreind has one of those handheld diagnostic things that he let us borrow. When this all started we got a code for the mass air flow sensor, but after erasing all of the codes and trying to run the car again all we got was the misfire detected. I sure hope this hasn't messed up a bunch of sensors. I guess it's time to invest in a Haynes repair manual so we can at least find stuff in the car that might need replacing. At least I'm learning lotsa stuff about my car's engine

[jake75]

Most people (at least most who have collision) have comprehensive coverage that would include vandalism.

[djkeev]

Wow! Too bad, who did you anger???Anyway, welcome to our humble site. There may still be some water, pull the plugs and dry them off. Now with the plugs out crank over the engine a few times, this will cause the injectors to spray. Stop, let things cool and evaporate, Crank the engine again,Stop, let things cool and evaporate.Crank again, do this a number of times. You'll be pushing raw gas and water out of the plug holes as you crank so lay a rag over the top to prevent "spray".Put the plugs back in after a through period of airing and drying out of the combustion chamber and see what you've got.Keep us posted.Dave

[Atomicpunk]

First as someone else mentioned check the fuel pressure and make sure it's in spec. 2nd the fuel injectors have steel parts inside of them that probably corroded from the water. There are places that clean and flow test injectors, check the phone book for someone close to you. Also gasoline injectors cannot be taken apart and rebuilt, if the place says they can run away.

[houseofbugs]

Sounds like there is still water in the engine. YOu need to figure out how to get it out. I would also drain the fuel lines all the way up to the engine to get all the water out. New injectore can be found for about $40-50 for a full set. I would just replace them instead of messing with ones that are probably bad now.Best of luck. Hopefully the engine isn't hydrolocked.

[Darlene]

Quote, originally posted by houseofbugs »Sounds like there is still water in the engine. YOu need to figure out how to get it out. I would also drain the fuel lines all the way up to the engine to get all the water out. New injectore can be found for about $40-50 for a full set. I would just replace them instead of messing with ones that are probably bad now.Best of luck. Hopefully the engine isn't hydrolocked.Well, my vibe has just been a dust collector for the past week. Last weekend we were bombarded with about 10 inches of rain (not as bad as tennessee, but bad enough. We lost a co-worker in the floods that resulted). Praying for her family.As for the vibe, I have ordered a set of fuel injectors. They are going to cost 125.00 for a set. The local auto parts stores wanted 167.00 EACH! That's why I have put off ordering them. I am starting there and hoping that they will fix my car. I will let you all know if the injectors fix the problem. I've got my fingers crossed. Darlene