Backed into flooded street. Car pulled in water through intake. Runs fine now but there is water in the oil. Questions about urgency.
2002 RSX-S. K20A2 engine, 98k miles. Backed into flooded street because the storm drains were clogged and didn't see it. Car pulled in water through intake. It wouldn't start until we got it to higher ground. My questions are about urgency.
Took another car to work. Got home and was dumb; I started the car and did a few miles on the highway before checked the oil. It only took a few minutes to return to normal response. I got home to find it was light brown like a cafe latte even though the oil only has a few hundred miles on it.
Could I have damaged something like a rod or seal even though it seems to run fine? Should I do the plugs also? What about a compression test? Would a bent rod or fouled plug be obvious or something that I'd need to test?
Basically, I can't seem to figure out if I need to take it in for a professional if I do the oil/filter a couple times myself. Should I take a day off from work to do this instead of doing it after work tomorrow? I have a spare car I can use to keep the RSX at home.
I'm OCD about my car maintenance and I'm mad at myself for even trying to start it.
Posted Jul 10, 2012, 7:19 AM UTC