How can water enter the engine?

[broncabilly]

Besides the air intake, how can water enter the engine? I got stuck in water, level was a little above the bumper, below the headlights. (approximately 8 or 9" below air intake). Back wheels were never in the water. But there WAS water in the engine. The dealership said that the air filter was "caked with mud" and then sent me this picture:

Splattered a little from radiator fan with dirty water? Sure. Caked with mud? Hardly. I did check the filter and filter box when this happened and the filter was completely dry.

I contend that water entered the crankcase somewhere. Faulty PCV valve seal? Not sure, that's why I'm asking here. I posted a couple weeks ago and mostly got replies telling me how stupid I am. And that's fine it just doesn't help me much. I'm just asking for opinions on entry points for water and mud. Because now I have a seized engine and Ford says it came in the intake and won't cover it. But it didn't and I'm going to be out $10,000. So please help if you can.
Thanks

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[PWillette]

As far as I know there's one way in and one way out. Did you verify water entered or the dealer said so?

 

[604Bronco]

 

[broncabilly]

As far as I know there's one way in and one way out. Did you verify water entered or the dealer said so?

Oh it definitely had water in it. Drained it out myself and then had it towed. But the mystery is how? I can 100% guarantee it wasn't through the air intake. Right now I'm leaning toward a bad seal on the PCV valve but truthfully don't know enough about it all.

 

[PWillette]

I suppose PCV valve or line is a possibility but it's tucked up pretty high towards the rea of the engine. Any chance a charge pipe was damaged?

 

[broncabilly]

I'm not sure where the charge pipe is. Damaged? I don't know why it would be, but maybe loose somewhere. How high up on the engine is that?
It doesn't seem like I can get the dealer off the Water in the Intake theory.

 

[ScLeCo]

I think the dealer sent that picture pointing out the gap between the bottom of the filter and the housing.

 

[PWillette]

Your charge pipes connect to the intercooler which is sitting in between the frame on the front right behind the bumper. One comes from the turbo to the intercooler then from the intercooler to the intake. The OEM pipes are rubber

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Your airbox definitely had water in it. The photo is showing where it pooled on the bottom of the box. The filter is definitely not caked in mud but that does not mean that enough water entered the box to make it into the engine.

 

[broncabilly]

Your airbox definitely had water in it. The photo is showing where it pooled on the bottom of the box. The filter is definitely not caked in mud but that does not mean that enough water entered the box to make it into the engine.

I agree that it definitely had water in it. But not even the whole bottom of the box is dirty, just pooled in the corner. You can see where it splashed in from the fan, where the rubber molding ends just to the right of the air box. there's a little stream of brown water from there. I can't imagine it didn't drain out as fast as it went in. And the air filter was completely completely dry. I'd love to see a picture of inside the tube where the air filter attaches actually, just thought of that. Bet it's clean

 

[indio22]

When fording water back in the day, folks would sometimes remove/loosen the radiator fan belt. (At least it was a thing to do on some old Land Rovers.) The idea was to prevent stirring up water and possibly damaging the fan/radiator. But maybe there is no good/easy way to do that on the Bronco?

 

[Aonarch]

All sorts of ways. I’ve seen water enter an engine through the spark plugs for example.

This is why you should never pressure wash an engine bay without driving it afterwards.

 

[Silver-Bolt]

I agree that it definitely had water in it. But not even the whole bottom of the box is dirty, just pooled in the corner. You can see where it splashed in from the fan, where the rubber molding ends just to the right of the air box. there's a little stream of brown water from there. I can't imagine it didn't drain out as fast as it went in. And the air filter was completely completely dry. I'd love to see a picture of inside the tube where the air filter attaches actually, just thought of that. Bet it's clean

You have an uphill battle ahead. If you have any photos of it in the water that would help your case. Something that shows it was well within the factory fording depth. I wouldn't be surprised if you end up having to get a lawyer.

 

[Strizzo]

Water can be sucked in through the exhaust when the engine is shut off like the hot coke can in ice water in hs science. But that would require the tip to be submerged when the engine was shut off.

where was the water that you drained out? In the crankcase? It could come through the intake and into the crankcase via the pcv system, or even through the dipstick tube.

I guess my question is why didn’t you clear the cylinder and change the oil to get it running asap afterwards? Come to think of it, what was the exact timeline of events?

 

[broncabilly]

Water can be sucked in through the exhaust when the engine is shut off like the hot coke can in ice water in hs science. But that would require the tip to be submerged when the engine was shut off.

where was the water that you drained out? In the crankcase? It could come through the intake and into the crankcase via the pcv system, or even through the dipstick tube.

I guess my question is why didn’t you clear the cylinder and change the oil to get it running asap afterwards? Come to think of it, what was the exact timeline of events?

The tailpipe was never in the water. And it never stalled. I left it running for a minute or two and decided maybe it's better to shut it off. But it sat there idling with no hesitation whatsoever. I started it back up to help with the tow and same thing, ran fine. After pulling it out, I got a charging system warning. At first it ran ok then stuttered a little bit, that's when I checked the dipstick and yeah there was water in the oil. Immediately went for filter and oil and changed it. But I didn't run it after that, towed to a indy service station who changed oil, flushed it, and changed it again. Dealer did the TSB on the alternator and let it go back to the indy. It started running bad after it warmed up and he checked oil, found metal sheen in it, changed oil again and it seized up.

I do have pictures showing the water level below the headlights, a couple inches over the bumper. I need to measure another sasquatch to see if that's less than 33.5".
Thanks for your time and input.

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