Well, I probably did it this time...
I went out tonight to see if I could loosen up the head bolts (so that I could change a head gasket for the first time this weekend) and was successful on all of them. In the process of trying to gain clearance to the passenger side of the head so that I could loosen up the bolts, I removed the spark plugs. I was successful in loosening up all of the head bolts until I noticed...that I had water seeping up from the back bolt and it had filled number four piston hole.
I did not think about what I was doing when I loosened up the head bolts and its impact on the water in the engine. I had forgot to drain the engine of its water.
I immediately drained the radiator and grabbed every towel I could find and sopped up the water as best I could. I cranked the engine and out came the water out of number four cylinder. I think I got most of it out.
Did I completely screw up my 1912 engine?
I cannot believe I did this. It makes me so sick.
Just spray liberal amounts of water displacement #40 (WD-40) in the cylinders and then a low viscosity oil like Mystery oil.
Then make sure you drain the oil / water / etc from the crankcase and refill it with good clean oil - you should be OK
Take a breath and lighten up a bit. A little water wont hurt anything as long as you dont let it sit like that for a long time.. Do as described above and turn it over. Spray some more in and do the same. I doubt any got past the rings to get into the bottom.
Hey ! It's a part of learning.
Fear not. Model Ts are much tougher than that. Do as suggested above. Just be sure to oil the cylinder well before putting the head back on. It would be a good idea to get it back together and run it until warm fairly soon. A little water won't hurt anything. Unless it stays there too long (a year or ten).
Awhile back there was a thread on what was one of your rookie mistakes? (Aimed at the old guys) I didn't post anything because at the time, I couldn't think of one. But I now remember doing this. About forty years ago. I dried it out with paper towels and had it running later that day. I never had any trouble come from it. And I drove that car a lot.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
You did fine. All I'd do is soak it up with towels. Maybe add a bit of oil on the cylinder wall and hand crank the engine to make sure all the visible water is removed. I'd put the head back on and run it right away. If there is any water left in the cylinder it will burn off.
I doubt it you have any water in the crankcase, but if you are worried about it, change the oil after you run it.
Definitely not something to be concerned about, just run it as soon as you can.
One more thing I would suggest. Pull off the inspection plate under the engine and clean out the dips. Or Put the front wheels up on ramps and drain out the oil. Then pour in one quart while it is still up in front with the drain plug out (not necessary if you clean out the dips including the rear one which is not on the cover). Then install the drain plug and fill up with fresh oil and it should be OK.
Norm
Thanks to everyone!
Just to (hopefully) make you feel better -
A couple of months ago my son borrowed my gas engine powered pressure washer. While he was using it he looked over his shoulder just in time to see it vibrate it's way to the edge of the swimming pool. In it went while running.
We just removed the oil and gas, rinsed everything (including the crankcase) with a little gas, and once everything looked clean we replaced the fluids with fresh. It runs fine with no ill effects from it's trip to the bottom of the pool.
Stuff happens. You'll be fine.
I have sunk a few Jet skis in fresh and salt water. Just drain out and run a bit. Yours just needed the majority taken out.
It makes me think of the clowns here in the Great White North that like to ride their snowmobiles across open water. Sometimes they sink, sometimes they don't.