OK, here is my problem. I'm an idiot and accidentally drove my '97 AWD V8 XLT (which was in great condition) into 2 feet of water and got stuck. No, I didn't know it was 2 feet, and no I should not have driven into it not knowing how deep it was. With that out of the way, here is my problem ....
After cleaning up the car (gutted and cleaned the interior, cleaned off the mud from the underside) I have developed an oil leak somewhere. Initially when I got home after the incident I noticed a leak at the bell housing where the engine attaches to the transmission. Looking around a bit, I feared the worst - rear main seal. After some more reading, it sounds like any number of leaks could end up down there. The leak did stop while the car was sitting, and wasn't enough of a leak to register as low oil. It sat for a week while I put it back together and got it cleaned up, and when I run it now I get some smoke from the engine compartment. I haven't crawled under again yet to see if the leak is still under there.
Any ideas what the water could have caused? I'm taking it to a shop to check it out tomorrow. Unfortunately (ironic) I've never had any major work done on it, so I don't have a "trusted" mechanic.
-Joe