1992 tbird won't start

I'm a female,and my husband went trough puddle, now my car won't start. If we take out the #1 spark plug car start and runs ruff. replace the spark plug car turns over but will not start.took it to mechanic and they said, I probley got water in the engine, but couldn't tell unless they take the engine apart. So i should junk it.they will junk it for me if i bring in the title. not sure what to do. Is there a way to tell if the engine is ruined. thanks for any help

 

you generally have to drive through more than a puddle to get water in the engine and even then it usually does not cause serious engine damage.
open up the airfilter box and see if there is any water in there if the airfilter isnt wet there shouldnt be any water in the engine.
if the air filter is wet remove all plugs and crank the engine over to blow the water out of the cylinders then reinstall plugs or install a new set.
suggest you also remove distributer cap and see if any water is inside the cap this could cause the car not to start or run very bad if it does start dry out the cap if you see any moisture inside and reinstall.

 

If an intake valve were held ajar during the compression stroke, this could upset the fuel mixture that is trying to get into the other cylinders.

And or if carbon on that plug or cylinder or valves in that cylinder were an issue, the engine could try to fire when it is not supposed to and likewise upset the other cylinders.

But I can't see how the puddle could have caused this, at all. If water got on the surface of the engine, I can't see how any spark being diverted to ground could allow the engine to run with the plug out, but not in. Or, if water got sucked INTO the engine, I can't see what that could do if the cylinder did not get hydrolocked, which it didn't because she says it turns over with the plug in (just doesn't fire).

This is a mystery that begs for an answer.

Dragolyn,

Have you tried leaving THAT plug in but remove another plug instead, and see what THAT does? Was it just luck, or the easiest plug to get to, that you chose to remove the plug you did, and found it could start up with that plug out?

 

removed #1 plug to check top dead center. and we forgot to put it back in before trying to start it,and it started. then seen we did not replace the plug. we have not tried to remove any other plug, we will try that and let you know what happens. i appreciate every one's thoughts and help on this

 

Thanks. Keep us updated until this mystery is solved please.