• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Flushing Water Through Egr??

  • Thread starter Thread starter BerBer5985
  • Start date Start date Sep 29, 2013
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#1
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #1
So I realized in my stupor that while trying to flush the coolant system in a 93 5.0 I put the flush kit on what I think is the egr valve and ran water through it and water started coming out of the exhaust. I haven't tried to start the car but I realize I did this wrong and I feel like the biggest idiot ever. Did I just screw everything up?? I attached it to this hose by mistake thinking it was the heater hose.
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    273.4 KB · Views: 230

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,921
224
Massachusetts
Sep 29, 2013
#2
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #2
Those aren't heater hoses. Those are air. Lines that run from the smog pump to the cylinder heads and the exhaust. You definitely do not want water In these. The heater hose is on top of the lower intake. And is metal. Trace the water pump back to the firewall
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#3
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #3
Oh I know they're not supposed to have water in them, but too late, I already ran water through them and now I'm freaking out after I realized what I did. I'm afraid to start the car or do anything until I figure out if I can fix what I just did. I checked the oil level and there's no water in the block but I'm not sure about the head
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,921
224
Massachusetts
Sep 29, 2013
#4
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #4
I'd be concerned about hydro locking the motor by pumping water into the cylinders. How long did it run? Was the engine warm? It's possible if the engine was hot it dumped all the water into the exhaust only. If that's the case, at this point a healthy drive to burn off the water might be your only option short of unhooking the h-pipe and draining it.

Can always yank the plugs too and turn the engine over to rid it of water
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#5
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #5
Only about 30 seconds when I realized it wasn't coming out of the radiator but instead the exhaust pipe. Engine was cold. Any suggestions? I'm going to go pull a spark plug now and see if water comes out
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#6
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #6
No water on spark plugs. Should I start it up and see what happens? I'm so worried and I feel like the biggest idiot in the world for what I just did
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#7
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #7
It wasn't running at all. The motor. I turned the water on and it started running through the exhaust pipe but I never started the car
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#8
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #8
Ok took and leap of faith and started it up obviously with no water and it started and everything seemed like it was running fine so hopefully it might have been a mistake, but not one that will cost me a motor or need a rebuild I hope.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Sep 29, 2013
#9
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #9
Is this for real? I remember years back the story about some guy flushing his motor out with water that later turned out to be fake story.

That's not your EGR it's your thermactor hoses for the smog pump and system. On end of the tube goes to your cats and exhaust, one to the smog pump, and then the top hose to the back of your heads. Hopefuly you disconnected the hose to the back of the beads.

IF you did this.. you need to change your oil and filter now after you remove all the plugs and crank over the engine to blow out all the water. Spray some oil into each spark plug hole and crank it over, and I mean crank it for a good minute. Undo those hoses to the motor and let the smog pump blow out all that water.
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#10
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #10
It really happened no joke. I'm that guy. So if I pull all the plugs and just crank it should pump the water out? I checked the oil level and it was fine like no liquid went to the motor. Also the spark plugs are no wet or anything. I'm going to pull all plugs and turn it over for a while. And then change my oil again. I don't have enough oil to change tonight. I tapped into the top hose on the other side of that little vacuum canister and ran water with the motor off not running. I realized itwas coming out of the exhaust. And turned it off. I then freaked out obviously and then checked my oil level thinking the motor was going to flooded with water and then pulled one plug thinking it may have water and neither did. Oil level was exactly the same as before as well as the same viscosity. Do you think it just dumped right into the exhaust bevause the motor was off and there was no vacuum? Is there a small chance that everything could be ok? I was going to change my radiator, x pipe and headers tomorrow anyway.
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#11
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #11
I'm really nervous and freaking out and I want to leave it til tomorrow morning and then do all that. Only because I'll need oil to change it again. Can this wait until tomorrow and then pull the spark plugs and pump it out if there is water in there. Like I said the oil level on the dipstick was completely normal. I can't believe I did something that stupid. I've had the car 2 weeks and I was trying to upgrade the radiator.
 

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member
Jun 10, 2013
2,029
310
124
Atlanta, Ga
Sep 29, 2013
#12
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #12


You need to pull ALL the plugs for sure and turn it over to make sure nothing is in there, also drain oil.
I've done stupid things in my early years also, hope it works out for you brotha
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
8,914
1,332
204
a van down by the river
Sep 29, 2013
#13
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #13
damn, that is one stupid mistake, but don't worry, if no water in oil and plugs are dry you might've caught a break!
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#14
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #14
I'm hoping to god. I'm gonna run it with no spark plugs and see what happens
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#15
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #15
Ok there's no liquid water like tons of it but but could it throwing gas droplets out? It smells like straight gas droplets.
 

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member
Jun 10, 2013
2,029
310
124
Atlanta, Ga
Sep 29, 2013
#16
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #16
this is from @jrichker , maybe this can help you look at it. Maybe you did it before the diverter valve or just before the check valve going to the cats?? The orange lines?? If it was the orange line you should be fine just heat the car up and drive it around to blow out and evaporate any left over.

 
Last edited: Sep 29, 2013

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,921
224
Massachusetts
Sep 29, 2013
#17
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #17
If you started it and it ran, you are all set. If water was in the cylinders it would have hydro locked.

What you need to do is remove those vacuum lines on the side of the engine and verify there is no water in there. Basically just undo the hose clamps at the smog pump, and at the rear of e engine where the rubber meats the metal pipe going to the heads and to the exhaust. Make sure that's all clear.

Change the oil just in case.

If the engine never ran, how did it come out of the exhaust? The tailpipes?
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#18
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #18
It's def gas droplets no water when I turn it over. My whole garage smells like nothing but gasoline right now. From what I can tell, no water pouring or anything crazy.
 
B

BerBer5985

New Member
Sep 13, 2013
20
0
2
Sep 29, 2013
#19
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #19
It was running down into the exhaust pipes and and out. The smog lines run down into the cats and out and since the engine was completely off when I turned the water on, it just ran into the diverted valves that were blocked off and then down int the cats and out of the exhaust pipes but never made it to the block. I pulled all the plugs and nothing was coming out of the but atomized fuel no water. I think I lucked out gentleman. I'm pulling the smog pump and ac anyway in the next few days anyway. The oil looks fine but I'm gonna change it anyway tomorrow. Can I leave the spark plugs out of the cylinder tonight and change the oil again tomorrow? I feel like the dumbest person on planet earth right now. I just literally didn't pay attention, spliced that line and went to it. I wasn't even drinking!
 

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member
Jun 10, 2013
2,029
310
124
Atlanta, Ga
Sep 29, 2013
#20
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #20
I think you tapped the orange line, you should be fine. You had a 50/50 shot btw
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
86 GT Water Pump
  • Kade5114
  • May 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
83
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 11, 2026
nickyb
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
481
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
S
Help with window and possible engine
  • StefRena22
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
19
Views
844
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2025
Willybill32
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
A
88 Foxbody Starts but Stalls When Warm Please Help
  • airforcerob
  • Apr 2, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
444
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 4, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?