Water Crossing Gone Wrong - Help Needed

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Hi all, I’ve got a problem. I have a 2014 Manual Pro-4X.

So I forded some water today. It was pretty high.... came above the bottom of the door line by several inches. I also did some donuts in a parking lot. (In the snow)

The water was about 2 hours ago, and the donut was about 30 mins ago.

I hopped out after the water crossing and everything seemed fine, engine bay was wet, but I pulled the air box apart and it was dry.

The issue I’m having is about 5 mins ago, it started cutting power. I would push the skinny pedal and it would hesitate for a moment then surge. Doesn’t matter what gear I’m in.

It’s not the clutch because it doesn’t rev up (it’s not slipping). Just bogs down.

its idling higher than usual. Around 1000-1100 rpm vs 650-700.

The car has had plenty of time to dry out from the water crossing, and I didn’t redline the engine when I was doing the donuts.

I have no CEL, no dummy lights at all. Oil pressure and battery voltage are reading normal.

Any ideas?

I feel like I’m working against the clock here because if it’s water related, I don’t want it to freeze tonight and cause more issues.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I googled generic "high idle after water crossing" and found a bunch of other types of vehicle forums with the same issue. I didn't see any definitive solutions, but looks like IAC sensor, water around the spark plugs, water in electronics box, catalytic converter clog, and vacuum leak were the common suggestions.

I guess even if you didn't pause in deep water, the fan blade and serpentine belt can slosh it up all over everything else. And I'm guessing the water was just about ice cold.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
I googled generic "high idle after water crossing" and found a bunch of other types of vehicle forums with the same issue. I didn't see any definitive solutions, but looks like IAC sensor, water around the spark plugs, water in electronics box, catalytic converter clog, and vacuum leak were the common suggestions.

I guess even if you didn't pause in deep water, the fan blade and serpentine belt can slosh it up all over everything else. And I'm guessing the water was just about ice cold.

i looked around the coils and saw it was dry so I pulled some out. All dry down on the plugs I checked. I pulled the MAF, ECM, and followed the wires and unplugged the IAC to see and all were dry.

I took it for a spin around midnight and it seems to be running fine. I’ll keep monitoring. The issue could potentially be a lot harder to diagnose if it's an intermittent issue. Fingers crossed it’s not.

I’ll go for a long drive today after work and see if it happens again. It didn’t get a chance to fully warm up last night when I took it for a spin.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Not to be stupid but do the gearbox/transmission have a breather on it ?
The transfer case, manual trans and front diff have breathers up high from the factory. Rear end doesn’t and no, I haven’t relocated it yet. It’s on the list. I just keep checking seals and the fluid. I already have a bad pinion seal from doing this type of thing in the first place (in my opinion), so I’m more confident it’ll take the path of least resistance and continue leaking from there instead of my axle seals or diff cover. I should probably just order it now.... lol
 

XterraRising

Bumpers Installed
Location
Utah
I had a car that would stall every time it went through a puddle. It would eventually run again after drying out. Might just need a few days of air time and you’ll be fine. If it were something super catastrophic, you’d know by now.
 
Top