DropPlow
09-08-2011, 10:33 AM
My sister suggested I ask you folks who have so much experience with all kinds of weather about my problem. I sincerely doubt any of you plow with a '08 Toyota Sienna (especially with a wheelchair lift in the back run by hydraulics). But your combined experience must be astronomical.
I got caught in Ellicott City, MD in a situation I can't find a name for other than a "flash Flood". I was on a quiet residential street trying to deliver medical supplies for my youngest handicapped son at the Medical Group Home where he lives during the week. Yes, there was a thunderstorm and it was raining extremely hard for Maryland, but the road did not have any standing or runnng water on it until I pulled to the left to back into the steep driveway of the house. I pulled forward, then looked back and about a 6" wall of water was behind me. Turns out it was shooting UP out of TWO incredibly long storm drains which had apparently filled to their limit about a mile away in historic Ellicott City, which sits on the Patapsco River/Creek. But I had no chance to escape. The Sienna I had only gotten last month was instantly sitting in water just shy of the driver's window. It killed the engine immediately. Because it shot up onto the street, it really had no place to run except some basements, I'm sure. So I was able to safely swim/walk out.
The water started back down the drains about 45 minutes later and then they backed up again, but this time not with so much speed and it didn't get so high.
Bottom line, I had it towed to our local, trusted shop (I despise dealers), and they diagnosed it was "vapor locked", although further inspection revealed there may only be 1-2 cylinders that got wet. The air filter was soaked and the oil is mixed with water.
Has anyone had the experice of basically submerging a 6 cylinder Toyota engine? Or the hydraulics of the rear of the vehicle which may be similar to that of a plow, as the van basically "squats" and then a ramp comes out in one awkward motion?
The "good news" is this was basically dirty water, but not very muddy. There was a lot of gravel on the road when the water finally subsided, but I don't think mud is a factor. Twigs and leaves, however may be. The interior of the front and back of the car had about 6"of water at one point.
I worry too much about circuit boards and such having had my B250 Dodge van in the shop for the last 4 months trying to avoid buying a new computer, but when we fially did, @$1,800, it still acted up. So I'm petrified that some electronic parts of the engine may have gotten wet and fried.
I am most concerned about the vehicle, as it is the only one I can transport my son in and pray I won't have to replace the whole engine.
I also wonder if anyone has any idea if this sort of thing might be covered by insurance (State Farm)?
I got caught in Ellicott City, MD in a situation I can't find a name for other than a "flash Flood". I was on a quiet residential street trying to deliver medical supplies for my youngest handicapped son at the Medical Group Home where he lives during the week. Yes, there was a thunderstorm and it was raining extremely hard for Maryland, but the road did not have any standing or runnng water on it until I pulled to the left to back into the steep driveway of the house. I pulled forward, then looked back and about a 6" wall of water was behind me. Turns out it was shooting UP out of TWO incredibly long storm drains which had apparently filled to their limit about a mile away in historic Ellicott City, which sits on the Patapsco River/Creek. But I had no chance to escape. The Sienna I had only gotten last month was instantly sitting in water just shy of the driver's window. It killed the engine immediately. Because it shot up onto the street, it really had no place to run except some basements, I'm sure. So I was able to safely swim/walk out.
The water started back down the drains about 45 minutes later and then they backed up again, but this time not with so much speed and it didn't get so high.
Bottom line, I had it towed to our local, trusted shop (I despise dealers), and they diagnosed it was "vapor locked", although further inspection revealed there may only be 1-2 cylinders that got wet. The air filter was soaked and the oil is mixed with water.
Has anyone had the experice of basically submerging a 6 cylinder Toyota engine? Or the hydraulics of the rear of the vehicle which may be similar to that of a plow, as the van basically "squats" and then a ramp comes out in one awkward motion?
The "good news" is this was basically dirty water, but not very muddy. There was a lot of gravel on the road when the water finally subsided, but I don't think mud is a factor. Twigs and leaves, however may be. The interior of the front and back of the car had about 6"of water at one point.
I worry too much about circuit boards and such having had my B250 Dodge van in the shop for the last 4 months trying to avoid buying a new computer, but when we fially did, @$1,800, it still acted up. So I'm petrified that some electronic parts of the engine may have gotten wet and fried.
I am most concerned about the vehicle, as it is the only one I can transport my son in and pray I won't have to replace the whole engine.
I also wonder if anyone has any idea if this sort of thing might be covered by insurance (State Farm)?