What I am curious about, did it stop as soon as you got in the pool or did you pull in there and sit still for a bit before it stopped running? I was under the impression, but I am not mechanic, hydrolocked meant it would not start at all. You say they got it to run. What about a rebuild of that motor to get it working again? I'm sure you could find another motor some where given the 4.2 was pretty common in Audi's and I don't believe that much different, but not completely sure on that one. If you like it and can get another motor and no other issues with the car, then get it fixed.

 

Hi Yeti,

I'd say it ran for less than 10 seconds - on as far as you can see it traveled. When I went the through the same, but shallow pool in May I gunned it pretty hard once I got in the water. This time, I realized it was much deeper and moved slowly.

I wished I'd just stopped, and tried to back up (might have been hard or impossible with wet tires on slickrock), but I was completely suprised.

 

Are you sure the engine is not runnable?
If it ran when taken out of the water i don't see why you need to change it.
Water in the oil?
Change the oil.

Bunch of used engines on fleebay if interested ;
touareg v8 engine | eBay

 

Are you sure the engine is not runnable?
If it ran when taken out of the water i don't see why you need to change it.
Water in the oil?
Change the oil.

Bunch of used engines on fleebay if interested ;
touareg v8 engine | eBay

After being removed from the water, mechanics in Moab pulled all the plugs and blew out as much water as they could.

It started, but only ran for about 5 seconds - and a hideous sound it made.

According to the VW tech back in Salt Lake, in addition to a bunch of bent rods at least 4 of the cylinders have lost compression.

 

Sorry to hear that. Where it is in the pics it doesnt look deep enough to be a problem at all. I have taken my v10 thru much deeper waters. But no water crossing is the same. The entry here is pretty steep so thats where it might have happened. Lucky you werent driving a diesel!! But with a petrol engine its not that bad they can be restarted and fixed much much easier. I would hang onto it. A simple tarp thrown over the front will save you the trouble next time. But best to check the depth and walk thru or see another vehicle go thru. All the best

 

I'm curious about your tarp strategy. How is that configured and doesn't the engine get oxygen starved?

Yes, this was a stupid move - I assumed the water was passable because I'd done it in May - and my judgement was a bit off because I was exhausted. I'd been driving (mostly offroad) for about 7 hours.

 

I'm a bit lost on your "new engine" math. Is it a brand new engine you plan to fit or a used engine?

If the latter, just pick up the insurance payout.

 

New engine installed is $13k.

My payout is about $11k

Once "totaled", I can purchase the vehicle for $2k, so subtracting that from the $11k, and then paying $13k is a difference of $4k.

I've been told a "used" engine installed is $10K. I'd rather pay an extra $3k for a brand new engine than a used one with an unknown service record.

 

Slow is probably why it sucked in water. I have been through water as deep as that and not had any issues, but I kept it moving a decent pace.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll probably be avoiding water for a while, but good to know.

I think going nose down into the pool is really what did her in. I don't really recall, but I''m sure at first the water came well over (and slowly) the hood.

 

new engine:\Volkswagen OEM Parts and Accessories Online

 

I did this more then once in my 04 that day. That being said probably not a super brilliant idea, but I was not alone...

 

Rear view same crossing..

 

**** that ****! Cut your losses and move on! That's what eventually got me out of my Touareg. I don't see the point of putting more into than it's worth. I put way to much into mine finally did the math and saw how stupid I was. Cut my loss moved on to a Benz and have been trouble free since. Now instead of handing my paycheck over to the vw dealership it stays where it belongs. In my pocket! Also vw service was terrible. Which felt like a slap in the face from vw. They will never get another $ from me. Also stopped my girl from getting a jetta and stopped my old man from getting a turbo bug. Vw loss was Mercedes gain in all cases. Good luck with whatever you decide I bet if you do fix you won't even drive it in the rain after that water experience.

 

Trick is the pace and keeping a bow wave. Best not to go fast and break the wave.
I know going fast throws water everywhere and makes for a great photo but best avoid that for deep crossings
A tarp will help immensely with the bow wave and pushing the water away. Theres plenty of air inside the engine bay.

 

Plus 1 on what Singh said - keep the pace steady and even.
Bow wave is the way - my profile pic is just one of many I have seen on here.

 

Have it totalled, buy it back, fix it and sell it for a profit or keep as a toy.

Use the money left over as a deposit on a T3.

 

I’d take $11K from insurance company and move on to a new vehicle. It might make sense to buy Touareg back for $2K if selling parts of it would make some profit.

 

I didn't think bout selling the parts. Yes if you buy it back for a coupe grand and then part it out. Should be able to make the 2k back easily and then make a profit. Take that profit and the instance money and get another vehicle or another Touareg.