First post here - hoped it would be more positive, but can't be helped.

We have an 04 plate Panda 1.2 Eleganza - the reliable, economical runabout to go with our '93 Defender 110 V8i - which is neither particularly reliable nor economical! ;-)

Anyhow, three weeks ago I managed to drown the poor Panda in a local ford - the water was higher than usual, but not unduly so, but this ford has a bend in it and when I came around the bend the road was blocked by an abandoned 5 series so we had to stop, the bow wave collapsed and then the engine stopped.

After a quick spot of ice-cold wading I got home and, with the help of a friend, used the 110 to pull the Panda out of the ford and back home. Next day I pulled the spark plugs and turned the engine over on the starter and got a nice little fountain from the cylinders. A bit of compressed air down the plug holes, dried the plugs and then a whiff of damp start got the engine running again, smoothly enough but the revs kept climbing and dropping, sometimes to a stall. So next step was to pull off the inlet manifold and throttle body and take them into the house, along with the ECU, for some quality drying time. I also drained the oil (slightly mayonnaisey) and changed the filter as well. The check engine light was also lit, along with the display telling me 'Engine Failure'

Last weekend I put everything back together again, fresh oil, and she was much more happier - cold idle at 1200rpm, dropped to 850rpm hot, no hunting, but still check engine lit and 'engine failure' on the display - I figured this was probably something that would need the dealer to plug in their box of tricks to reset. Went for a drive around for 10 mins, local streets and some 60mph on the local dual carriageway - all fine, pick-up as normal, no hesitation, all good.

Friday, first time since last Saturday, I decided to drive into work to collect the seats which had been drying in an air-coned server room (air-con set to 'dry' - works well if you ever have something really wet to dry out). I got about 300m down the road when the engine seemed to loose all power - still turning at maybe 2000rpm but no 'go'. This lasted a few seconds, then there was a surge of power for a second or so, then back to no power. This continued - nothing, surge, nothing, surge while I turned around and crawled home at 5mph. Once I'd parked-up she sat there idling quite happily.

I'm not really sure what can be causing this, especially after she ran fine last weekend. I'm clutching at straws but thinking maybe either water in the fuel or the catalyst got cracked by the thermal shock as water went up the exhaust once the engine stopped and now the bits of catalyst are blocking the exhaust - clutching at straws, as neither explains why she was fine last week and not now. I looked for a drain plug on the petrol tank, but there doesn't seem to be one - I suppose I could pump it out using the injection pump and a jumper in the relay box?

Does anyone have any ideas before I admit defeat and head to the main dealer in town?

Cheers,

Andrew.

Sorry to hear your mishap.

The only car I would take through a "Ford" is a Land Rover /Jeep etc, never do a car as it's difficult to judge the depth of the water & a quick way to write it off.

Condolences. It's a mistake that's easily made. In fairness, you're lucky not to have bent something inside the engine, which would likely have written the car off.

I'm remembering one the basic equations of automotive engineering:

Water + Electronic Components = Bad News

& I'd suspect any component with wires coming out of it after your misadventure.

To narrow it down, I'd start by getting a fault code reader attached by the cheapest means available to you, which might not necessarily be your FIAT main dealer.

You could just be lucky and have broken something simple & cheap to fix, like an O2 sensor - but to go forward you really need to get a readout from the car to find out why the engine management light is staying on.

not sure how you find someone that really understands the results from fault code readers not sure the average dealer does. Every time my C4 is plugged in it says the two exhaust sensors are faulty except they're not as dear (pun) dealer charged us 450 quid to replace them. So though the fault reader says one thing I'm not sure they really tell you what the problem is.

Looks like I've little option but to get the diagnostics read and go from there. If it's looking scary, I'll fall-back on the insurance, but I was hoping to get her back on the road without involving them (and the inevitable premium hike).

Looking through the garage forum on here, we only have official dealers in Cambridge, but on the plus side, they're only at the end of the road, so I should be able to get there without a tow!

I'll let you all know what they have to say...

Sounds like car's gone into 'limp' mode (a fail-safe 'get you to the side of the road but not much further' setting)

Likely causes are throttle position sensor (on the manifold) or the potentiometer at the pedal end. Neither of these will like getting wet. Cleaning/drying might be enough. My 4x4 Panda threw similar symptoms after over-enthusiastic puddle splashing but eventually fault went away.

P

sounds like a proper soaking, i feel like i would avoid anything over hub height but if its local i suppose you get familiar with wading.
Again, anything with wires! the fault codes will give an idea. most external sensors are sealed fairly well so I agree with herts that it might be the pedal sensor. They are a self contained unit so easy to swap.

Then you are onto crank position sensor, anything inlet related and the exhaust related.

you might be able to hear the cat rattle if cracked.

With all the sensors above have a look for water in the connectors and if you can leave them disconected and pointing down for a while as water can travel by capilliary action along the wires. (the harness ahould be well sealed but its worth a check.

any news on this? i feel gutted for you
i've been reading this with interest to see how you get on, hope it's sorted now.