Just want to clarify.... When it stalled did it stop with a "klunk" type sound? or was it like you stalled it going up a hill? This does sound like it had water in the chamber. But, were all the electrics working (ie. was there warning lights on the dash?) For sure the water will emulsify with oil, and has probably ended up in the hydraulic tappets. That is a good start, but you might have to do it again. A good long run (say for a couple of hours) will ensure the moisture is boiled out of the oil, you don't have to work the car hard, but something like a highway run (continuous 100km/hr) is a good way. As for bent rods, check the compression, I suspect because you were at idle it is unlikely the stall has caused a hydralic lock type damaged to the rods. A compression test will show if you have managed to bend a rod significantly, but other wise a dial indicator through the spark plug is the only other non-strip down method. It sounds like you are short on funds, so this is a perfect time to learn more about diagnositics and DIY. You will in the long run save a lot of money, and gain new skills. Heaps of people here willing to help. All you have to do is listen to all the advise, and make you decision on what you are going to do. (no such thing as bad advise; just bad decisions base on advise).
Is this a silly idea? Remove fan belts, with air gun on crank bolt turn it over (not in gear of course) with the spark plugs removed slowly lower in a boroscope down each cylinder and watch them in motion (dont lower it too far of course) knock sensor gone off yet?
What are you trying to achieve by that? A bent rod will only show a few mm at best in height difference of a piston, not enough to be definitive, and very time consuming. No, compression test is the only way
well that was a little silly you will need to check and change oil and dry everything, if you had a full hydrolic lock it would not start with out first removing the plugs. if you got it to start should be fine if you where you idling and not under power 2k plus.
Sorry Andy, see my post compression tests really will not show the bent rod unless signifcantly bent. The only way to be sure is using a dial indicator.
If you want to do it on the cheap but not as accurate you can use a 3/8 drive socket extension (about 12" long is good) down the plug holes and lay a ruler across the plenum using that as the datum line you can mark the peak hight of the piston with a vivid marker on the extension, transfer it across to the other cylinders to compare. Only accurate to about 1-2mm so not 100% conclusive but if you find one down you know for sure the engine is in need of repair before you kill it. If you are short of cash maybe try this as it is free and if it shows up as possibly good then continue and spend the money getting DTI check done. Don't use the cheap check suggested above and say "sweet it's mint!" then continue driving forever, you could still have a bent rod and WILL destroy the engine. I'm crossing my fingers for you that no damage was done but extreme care is required to avoid possible further damage. Compression check will only show severe damage, a small bend in a rod will be undetectable with a comp check but do one anyway and do it first as it will show any serious damage quick and easy.
No I saw that later but everyone has a compression tester in their kit bag yes? My hydro-lock was at idle with only a small amount of water, enough to bend a rod significantly enough to cause a minor misfire at idle, unknown to me at the time (that it was bent), it went catastophic about 3 months later.
Yeah, one of my mates hooked the washer bottle to the ballance tube when we were chasing down an idle issue. Best yet, it was idleing at 400rpm. So if you think your safe at idle, think again! Stalled with a clunk. Started fine, no drama's thought I got off lucky....noooo.
Oh now I understand, it was probably pouring into the intake plenium. And the dead give away is the "klunk" sound. I have had two hydrolocks that resulted in bent rods, (be they with the large diesels on the ships), and they all stopped with a "klunk". I think that is the rudimentry indication that needs to be looked out for.
