My son was driving my 3.0 S Type (2001) during very hard rain. Engine died. Wouldn't restart so I had him check and the air filter was soaked. Removed, dried, replaced. Now the car runs fine but it is making this ticking, like a bad lifter. Oil is fine. I'm not sure what to do next or what the problem could be. Very loud. Please advise.

 

Have you checked for something caught in the belt, drive shaft or wheels... A stick can create a loud tick as it rotates...

 

I will thoroughly inspect. Thanks

 

I agree with something in or near the belt.


Water in the coil area can cause a HT spark to track, and that spark can be a loud cracking/tick.

That engine does not have lifters, so rule that out.

For that air filter to be soooo wet, he has gone thru some seriously deep water, and I am thinking that the engine may have ingested some water.

 

Thanks a million. It does sound like a coil pack but I hadn't considered that.

Yes, the water was very high. On the interstate some cars floated away. We are lucky this is all we face. I changed the oil and didn't see any evidence of water in crank case.


I can't think of anything else to check, especially because car runs perfect. I didn't know if if could somehow harm exhaust.

 

If the water was sucked in the intake in any volume, it's possible that at least one cylinder hydro-locked and bent the connecting rod.

 

Thanks Mikey!!!
I was going to mention the possibility of a bent con rod!!!!!

bob