Hydrolocked cylinder, what to do?

[Earendil]

I parked my car after my last problem free track day and left her for a few weeks. Tonight I tried to take it out for a spin but it wouldn't turn over. Makes a sound I've never heard before. I thought about whether it was seized but didn't think so. I pulled all spark plugs and the #4 was sopping wet. I suddenly wished I hadn't tried to start the car 3 or 4 times

Now I'm wondering what the chances are that I damaged anything with the start. All the hydrolock stories I can find involve a running engine hydrolocking, which I imagine does a lot of damage. But can the starter bend/break things?

Also, I'm moving in a few weeks and my free time is stupidly booked between now and then. If I can drain the water, and it doesn't fill back up but a little drop at a time, can I assume it's safe to drive in 10 minutes to my new place? After the track day it drove the 45 minutes back home just fine, it was just missing a couple cups of coolant :/

[jlevie]

It is possible to damage the engine with the starter, but unlikely. Dry out the engine and if it is a slow leak, there should not be any problems driving it a short distance.

[Earendil]

It is possible to damage the engine with the starter, but unlikely. Dry out the engine and if it is a slow leak, there should not be any problems driving it a short distance.

Thanks! I sucked as much out as I could and gave it a couple spins with the starter and the plugs pulled before attempting to fire it up for real. It ran rather rough for a bit, but I was able to back it out of my very steep ally driveway and get it up on to the street. At the very least AAA can get to it now, but it ran well enough to drive, and there still isn't any noticeable oil in coolant or coolant in oil.

Thanks for the information and confidence boost!