Bora 4mo and puddle... help!

[markc]

Hey guys,

With the crazy rain that happened in Melbourne last night, I was unfortunate to drive through a deep-ish puddle (probs about 30cm deep). Right after that, I felt that the Bora wasn't accelerating as hard as it normally did, and in 3rd gear around 2,500 revs I would put the foot all the way down and the car would only very gently accelerate. Even my friend in the car said it feels like something's NQR. Feels like I've lost a massive chunk of torque.

The engine idles a tiny bit rougher, and when accelerating, sounds almost like a boxer engine. Instead of the smooth "VRRRRRRRR" of the engine, it's more like "V-R-R-R-R-R-R". It's not labouring or anything, just doesn't sound right.

Any ideas what could have happened? Everything in the engine bay is 100% stock, no mods at all. Is it possible that some water's ended up in the engine somewhere?

I'm booked in for a service at Volkspower on Feb 17, but I'm wondering if I can wait until then, or get it checked out asap.

[qsilverza]

Hi,

A couple of things could have happen but since the engine is still turning over and you haven't hydrolocked, it sounds like water on the coilpacks or its missing.

So you could potentially wait for it to dry out, or, the smarter and harder route would be to,

A. Check air filters and MAF make sure they are dry
B. Remove coilpacks remove sparkplugs dry off and
- you could potentially turn it over to remove water if inside (But I am not sure on the exact method and would consult a professional and more than likely not needed)

Also if the engine has retarded timing etc. You may need to remove neg battery for 10 minutes than get it to relearn the car and clear the codes.

Ciao.

Hey guys,

With the crazy rain that happened in Melbourne last night, I was unfortunate to drive through a deep-ish puddle (probs about 30cm deep). Right after that, I felt that the Bora wasn't accelerating as hard as it normally did, and in 3rd gear around 2,500 revs I would put the foot all the way down and the car would only very gently accelerate. Even my friend in the car said it feels like something's NQR. Feels like I've lost a massive chunk of torque.

The engine idles a tiny bit rougher, and when accelerating, sounds almost like a boxer engine. Instead of the smooth "VRRRRRRRR" of the engine, it's more like "V-R-R-R-R-R-R". It's not labouring or anything, just doesn't sound right.

Any ideas what could have happened? Everything in the engine bay is 100% stock, no mods at all. Is it possible that some water's ended up in the engine somewhere?

I'm booked in for a service at Volkspower on Feb 17, but I'm wondering if I can wait until then, or get it checked out asap.

[DJdt]

I experienced a similar phenomenon in my Rangy last night about 3 times on the way home from work. 3 deep puddles immediately followed by the engine coughing and spluttering, and on two occaisions stalling. My best bet was water in the intake. I revved in neutral for a while and it went back to normal. Not sure if I did the right thing, but my dollar per kilo rangy was back to normal pretty soon. Not sure if I'd be game to try the same technique with my new Bora though

[qsilverza]

The other thing I thought about, when driving through a puddle you are cooling everything immediately, a hot engine block a very hot cat, potentially if the CAT cools off from 600 to 20 Deg or something this could cause the car to stall due to the computer not liking the emissions.

[markc]

Ok thanks guys - I'll wait for it to cool down a bit and then will check the filter and MAF.

[McDub]

yeah apparantly boxer sounding engine is usually coilpack gone, as has been suggested. If you remove the faulty one the car will sound the same i think.... Hopefully it's nothing worse than that

[Peter Jones]

Sounds like a marginal coil pack and a bit of moisture finished it off. Vagcom will tell you which one. Or I could bring a spare coil pack to SEDF for you to try.

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

I wouldnt say its hydrolocked as the stock intake for a bora is at the top of the grille and just below the bonnet. So unless it was that deep

[maxrob200]

My Bora stalled on firday night too! Splutterd and died. Pushed it to high ground, waited 10 mins and started again after much spluttering. Seems to drive OK. Lost my front plate cover as well as a rectangular bit under the front air dam was practically ripped off! (held on by two torx). Does anyone know what that plastic thing is and is it important

[balkanac]

how fast were you going through the puddle if you lost all that???

[maxrob200]

I dont think it was speed, more like trying to push the car through a river of water it's the associated volume