Huge hydroplane/puddle = louder engine?

Was driving down the road today when I hit a rougue puddle. Long story short after getting through the situation I realized my engine sounded a little louder and possibly my accelration was a bit slower.

Any ideas what caused this? Could it be water that somehow got its way into the engine?


I opened up my hood and everything was completely soaked. The car seems to be working fine although the louder noise is cause for concern.

Any ideas?

Can you define where the noise is coming from? right side, left side, front end, back of engine? did you bottom out when you hit the puddle?

Can you define where the noise is coming from? right side, left side, front end, back of engine? did you bottom out when you hit the puddle?


Could you define bottom out?

The sound seems like the engine itself. I opened the hood and started it up and it sounds fine. Seems to only make the noise when I hit the accelerator, in park,drive and Overdrive (more in this mode than anything). Dont think its my tranny though.

Best way I can describe it is like I have a V8 vs a V4. (mines a V6 but that helps exaplain a bit better) The engines roar is just much louder. My wipers slow down now when I get into reverse leading me to believe my catalytic converter is somehow effected.

bottom out means the bottom of the car hit the road. was the puddle on the right or left side of the road? Luminas are known for burning thru altenators, ive been thru two and ive only had it 18 months. but obviously you jarred something when you hit the puddle. lets narrow it down with as much information as possible and catch the culprit.
a louder engine could simply be a pin hole in the exhaust. if you bottomed out, its a great possibility. slower wipers doesnt mean your alternator is going. it could be you jarred a wire loose somewhere and you're not getting a full flow. a wet serpentine belt can slip, making all kinds of noise. look into the obvious first. has the car dried up yet? does it still make the noise?

I don't believe I bottomed out. The puddle was on the right side and believe me when I say the water got everywhere.

Took it for a drive today, while its no longer seems to have a slower acceleration (wet belt?) the loud noise is still there. The car sounds like a beast (compare it to a truck with a v8 accelerating). Its very annoying and I sound like im sound a hotrod when its just a lumina lol.

I am out of town and cant get my mechanic to look at it for a couple weeks. Just want to make sure I dont break anything commuting back and fourth. Just so you get a general idea how bad the puddle was; on my way home after making the initial post there were 4 cars taken out by it. I pulled over and smoke to a guy whos car wouldnt even crank.


Havent had super major problems with my lumina yet, but the little things popping up are starting to get annoying.

A buddy suggested pulling ECM fuse and letting it resest (something along the lines of the car resetting itself). Not sure I agree with that even with my limited auto experience.

Look at your air cleaner if you got enough water they can get soaked. This can cause you a lot of problems. Look at other suggestions also.

im still leaning toward a hole in the exhaust.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll11/DnaProRacing/engineright.jpg
as you can see, there isnt much on that side that would cause an increase in noise, other than the intake. inspect your intake and check your exhaust starting at the headers.

crawled under and gave a much better inspection, also checked the intake. Cant find anything wrong in that aspect.


The noise isnt as bad anymore but now im getting a loud rattle. I checked my exhaust and its securely attached.


My coolants looking low (did a flush about 3 weeks ago and made sure to open bleeders). Starting to wonder if its coolant in the engine.


Ill appreciate any additional info. My mechanics coming by next week to check it out, but anything helps.

Thanks guys~!

Pull oil stick & check color of oil. Also check for loose or broken vacuum lines, cracdked exhaust manifold (front). Pulling ECM fuse on that model will not do any good for reset, That must be done by machine(scanner) on those later models ( generation II, some '93's on up) 3100 SFI engine.

Removing power to the PCM will erase the operating parameters as in earlier OBD models.

If it was the filter, you should have noticed a reduction or elimination of the noise by now as it dries out. While it is possible, I highly doubt it, the exhaust pipes could have damage from the contact of cool water on the hot metal. One in a billion shot, but I've seen blocks cracked from cold water before.

I had a vehicle that would rumble when you cranked it up, but after about a minute it'd disappear. Turns out a gasket connecting two lengths of pipe had rusted/blown/slipped enough to let exhaust gas and noise out, but when the system had reached operating temperature the small gap had been sealed due to expansion.

If I can figure out the problem im fully confident I can fix it myself. Mechanic cant check it out for a week or two and I dont have the patience for now (cheap so I cant take it to anyone else).

In short heres the list; Loud roar, ping on right side from time to time and also what sounds like a rattle when I gas it in neutral. Air Filter dry, oil a little dark but seems fine. Car shifts properly both driving and in terms of response when changing at a stop.

When I accelerate I hear a little PING/Rattle from the passenger side (only once in a while). The roar is still there but not as obvious (maybe ive gotten used to it).

This may sound a little off the wall but from time to time ill catch a wiff of rich exhaust around the front (not constant but lets say once a week or so). This itself brings back the possibility of an exhaust leak, from the little I know.

Car seems to be sucking up more gas then usual, 150 miles and used almost 3/4 of a tank (keep in mind when I read empty I still have 5 gallons in the tank). Ive ruled out a hole in the exhaust. No smoke coming out the back.

Car is slightly rough during idle but that may be due to needing a tuneup big time. In general terms though the cars operating fine just not as fine as it could.

Hope im not being to much of a hassle! But I greatly appreciate the help!

Check the flange bolts for tightness for the converter. Check the heat shield they cause rattles and be welded if broken.

I bet it's a cracked manifold or bracket (can't remember). The "v8 sound" happened to me when I bottomed out backing out of a friend's drive way (it was very steep). I had a '98 Lumina, and my dad being quite the career mechanic found it to be I believe the manifold cracked right behind the motor as I recall. He said it wasn't a very bad thing. I sold it 6 months later with nothing effecting the performance of the car... just that sound.

I had the exact same thing happen to me with my 98 Lumina. I went through a puddle and the car started sputtering then became very loud. About two weeks later I took it in for state inspection and they didn't say anything about it. I have since replaced the oil, antifreeze, plugs, and put K&N air filter in. I can't figure out what the heck it is.....

its the manifold i had the same thing happen and its nothing to worry about the decrease in power was the wet filter and thats gone casue the filter dried out. try getting the engine WARM not HOT like enough to be a little unpleasant to the touch. then get ( i swear this works) brake cleaner and spray it on the exaust manifold and if any cracks appear (if you see one you will know) you can get someone who is a GOOD welder and have em patch it up but i kninda like the sound