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    Will I be able to salvage the engine of 2004 Holden Rodeo after the seller drove across a creek without a snorkel and it took in water?

    Holden Holden Advice Holden Rodeo Holden Rodeo Advice Holden Rodeo 2004

    Before I buy Holden Rodeo 2004 ute, will I be able to salvage the petrol engine for reconditioning after the seller drove across a creek without a snorkel and it took in water? Can this be fixed or do I need another motor?

    Answered by CarsGuide
    19 October 2022
    David Morley

    When an engine (petrol or diesel) inhales water through its air-intake system, it's never usually a good outcome. Because water is – as is any liquid – non-compressible, the engine's pistons will try to achieve that but, in the process, the engine will lock up and all sorts of internal carnage can ensue.

    If you're lucky, the damage will be fixable but can still involve bent con-rods, broken pistons and bent valves. If the lock up was more severe, there's a chance that the engine block could be cracked or a con-rod has broken and punched a hole through the crankcase. Sometimes the force of the lock up is sufficient to smash the main bearing caps and throw the crankshaft out of place. In any of those latter cases, the whole engine would be considered a total loss.

    But even if you've gotten away with a bent con-rod or two, you'd still need to rebuild the entire engine and, in the context of a 2004 Rodeo ute, you might find you're spending more money than the vehicle is actually worth.

    A potentially better idea would be to find a good, tested second-hand engine from a wrecking yard or any other sort of damaged Rodeo and do a relatively simple heart transplant.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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