Arizona Monsoon

**rgrey** · 08-05-2005, 04:33 PM

Recently here in Arizona we were hit by a couple of the worst monsoons I have seen in 10 years. I just purchased 2 acres and the roads are still dirt. When one of the monsoons hit last week it flooded the roads in a matter of seconds. It started to rain two miles from our property. By the time I was a mile away the road was filling up. Some genius for the county thought to make the road two feet lower than the plain. As I was a half a mile away I noticed behind me that the water was about a foot high, and then it happened, I drove into a dip and the water wave went over the hood. Then I herd the dreaded sounds of water going into the intake. That was it, the Hemi was toast. Luckily my brother in law was able to tow me out. During the tow we hit a huge bolder and took out a portion of my side skirt and under the bumper. The dealer is replacing the engine. Now for the good news……..State Farm is taking care of it and I should be up and running in a couple of weeks. OK, please don’t tell me what an idiot I am, I am still in mourning.

**BobF's 6POINT1** · 08-05-2005, 04:38 PM

Lucky I was at home that night bailing out my garage. It was like something out of the Bible.

**MAGNUM22** · 08-05-2005, 04:39 PM

Sorry To Hear That.

**armadillo** · 08-05-2005, 05:16 PM

Thank god for insurance, and that you are OK, and I'm glad you didn't make the news as a rescue mission with a chopper as some of the folks here in Arizona have during the monsoon

**midnight_blue_rt** · 08-05-2005, 05:26 PM

Did you get a post-mortem on the motor. Not to take glee from your suffering but I'd love to hear the gory details.

Glad you're OK - cars can be fixed.

**Padre Dave** · 08-05-2005, 05:48 PM

I was up to the middle of my doors here in the Tucson area that day too. We need the water....bad. I'm still getting sand coming out from under the door side molding when I wash it. I'm glad I didn't have a cold air intake like in my Ford Focus ZX3, which has the K&N under the front bumper. I have an anti-siphon valve on that one, but those river/roads we have in AZ would have overwhelmed it for sure.

Sorry to hear about your engine. I'm also thankful your insurance agent didn't try to invoke the "Arizona Stupid Motorist Act" excuse for not replacing your engine. It will be interesting to see how much wiring needs to be replaced too.

Did you take any water in the interior? I was pleased to not have any dirt/debis collect in my door sills after my aquatic adventure. Good seals, I guess.

Do keep us posted on what they found in the engine post-mortem.

**SRT8AZ** · 08-05-2005, 05:54 PM

i left mine in the garage that night drove the lifted f150 4x4! At least your not out of pocket badly!

**TOPPER 345** · 08-05-2005, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by rgrey

Recently here in Arizona we were hit by a couple of the worst monsoons I have seen in 10 years. I just purchased 2 acres and the roads are still dirt. When one of the monsoons hit last week it flooded the roads in a matter of seconds. It started to rain two miles from our property. By the time I was a mile away the road was filling up. Some genius for the county thought to make the road two feet lower than the plain. As I was a half a mile away I noticed behind me that the water was about a foot high, and then it happened, I drove into a dip and the water wave went over the hood. Then I herd the dreaded sounds of water going into the intake. That was it, the Hemi was toast. Luckily my brother in law was able to tow me out. During the tow we hit a huge bolder and took out a portion of my side skirt and under the bumper. The dealer is replacing the engine. Now for the good news……..State Farm is taking care of it and I should be up and running in a couple of weeks. OK, please don’t tell me what an idiot I am, I am still in mourning.

Several months ago there was a thread about the exact same thing that happened to a 300C during a heavy rain storm. It was reported that the water was about 9 inches deep and the water entered the stock air intake tube. Other makes of cars were noted to go thru the same water without any problem. Maybe the stock intake tube is too close to the ground on the LX's.

Jim

Magnum R/T Magneisum Pearl

**moralesi69** · 08-05-2005, 07:08 PM

Those monsoons can get pretty hairy. That's a bummer about your car, but glad to hear you'll be up and running in no time. Does anybody here in the PHX metro area have zoomers that would be willing to let me come by and have a listen? I've heard all the clips, but I just want to listen in person before I take the plunge.

**DAYTONA_R/T** · 08-05-2005, 07:26 PM

yeah, a guy I know from Reno went "bogging" thru a decent mud puddle in Lake Havasu, and sucked in water, blew the engine.... insurance covered it uder the flood damage clause I belive..... (wanna see the video...LOL)

with my truck, I dont worry about driving through 2' deep water on the road to my house (not a wash).... I hope I will be ok when the storms hit with my Charger when I get it...

**moralesi69** · 08-05-2005, 07:39 PM

I lived in Lake Havasu for many years, and when it rains really hard there.....WATCH OUT!!!!!

**lilguyhemi** · 08-05-2005, 07:47 PM

Welcome to the Arizona Monsoons! Sorry to hear about the car, but glad all are well and the car will be repaired.

**rgrey** · 08-05-2005, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by midnight_blue_rt

Did you get a post-mortem on the motor. Not to take glee from your suffering but I'd love to hear the gory details.

Glad you're OK - cars can be fixed.

They didn't tell me much. Just that there was water in the oil and the engine needed to be replaced (10 day back order ). And somehow there was a hole in the oil pan.