After your car is damaged in flood, the first question that comes to your mind is- "Should I fix this car, or should I just take the money from insurance and buy a new car or a used car? well for a new car, right now I don't have that much money even to put just as a down payment...but I loved this car and I want to keep it, but not if the car is just going to be a nightmare from now on!" It's often very hard to figure out what is wrong with the flood-damaged vehicle. When the repair costs for your flood damaged vehicle are too high for your vehicle's value, selling the car is probably best. Please note in case of Hydrostatic Lock, you won't get insurance cover for your vehicle.
Has anyone had experience fixing a flooded car? Was it worth it? Should I worry about future problems? However, flood damage can still have serious impact years later and will likely have no market value for future resale.
Mind you, A flooded vehicle can be repaired by an experienced mechanic.
Even if your insurance company has “totaled” your car, you may be able to reclaim it and complete the repairs but it won’t be easy or cheap.
Unfortunately not every vehicle that’s flooded can be repaired at a reasonable cost. As a general guide, vehicle that have been immersed to a level where water has come into the interior will probably be too expensive to repair, but you should seek professional guidance as each car has to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
*HOW TO QUICKLY CHECK IF YOUR VEHICLE IS SUFFERING FROM WATER DAMAGE-
1). Check for the visible signs-
a)Moisture and water inside exterior lights.
b)Fungal formation on the upholstery, carpet and door panels.
c)Air filter are wet.
2) Check for engine performance-
Check out for abnormal noises coming from alternator, starter, belt,
power steering, ac.
3) Check out for discoloured fluid-
Check if the car's fluid for engine has got milky or discoloured from the
original state.
4) Check for Electrical problems-
It's widely said that water and electricity do not go hand in hand.The
same goes for your car too which may show electrical problems due to
water damages.
♤For Someone whose car has minimal dampness may be able to dry the car out and move on. Meanwhile, someone whose car was completely submerged in water may not be able to repair their flood-damaged car.
■FOR VEHICLES WITH MINIMAL DAMPNESS IN FLOOD-
The following steps are basically what you should do with the engine:
The following steps are basically what you should do with the engine:
☆1) Check the oil dipstick to see if there is any water contamination.
☆2) Loosen oil drain plug and release any water.
☆3) Remove the spark plugs.
☆4) Change the oil and filter.
☆5) Crank the engine with the plugs out – be sure that all water sprays out of the engine.
☆6) Clean out the engine bay of all debris- especially in the radiator.
☆7) Dry the cylinders and pistons with the plugs removed.
☆8) If there was water in the engine, spray a little oil in the cylinders and crank some more.
☆9) Now replace the spark plugs and try to start it.
☆10) If the engine runs, let it run a few minutes, shut it off, and check the oil again.
☆11) If the oil is cloudy or milky at all, change the oil and the filter.
☆12) If any water have got into the gas tank, it must be drained before you crank the engine or water will be pumped into the fuel system and cause a lot of trouble.
■FOR VEHICLES SUBMERGED IN FLOOD-
Here are list of tips and things to check out:
Here are list of tips and things to check out:
●1) A vehicle’s electronics and electrical parts always sustain the most serious damage after flooding. If your vehicle's fuse box or control units were submerged in water they will also need to be replaced, and prices for these components tend to increase right after major floods. If you don’t replace them, these particular electronic items will be prone to failure over time, even if they operate right now. The same is true with your wiring harnesses and battery cable connections.
♤Always remember that Moisture can cause a short circuit in the electrical system, resulting in malfunction of its critical components, including the following:
☆Electrical control unit (ECU)
☆Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and other automotive lights.
☆Air conditioning system.
☆Power windows, power locks, and power seats.
☆Audio and video systems.
☆Fuses.
☆Anti-lock brake system.
Do not START THE VEHICLE until you have checked the vehicle Engine. Before turning these electrical parts on for inspection, make sure that the engine is safe to start. All the plugs, switches, and relays must be dried out.
If you notice anything wrong with how a certain component works, that’s a clear sign of electrical trouble. Also, if the ECU got soaked, have it checked immediately at the repair shop.
●2) Do not attempt to start an engine that has been flooded. A hydro-locked engine, if it even starts, will quickly destroy itself. It’s likely that water invaded the engine and transmission, destroying the lubricating properties of both, so do not, under any circumstances, attempt to start the vehicle. At the very least, you’ll have to replace the motor oil and transmission fluid.
If the oil level is abnormally high, water probably got into the crankcase because oil floats on water, making it useless as a lubricant. Remove the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand to force water out of the cylinders. Blowing compressed air into the spark plug holes and intake also helps. Make sure to drain the oil and replace the oil filter. After all these work id done, again Check transmission fluid levels, as well as the transfer case and differentials. If the damage is more extensive, rebuilding both may be your only option!
Please note that Automatic transmission discs tend to delaminate in water. Manual transmission synchronizers can be ruined by lack of lubrication, and a soaked clutch may rust. Transmission problems may be rectified by completely draining fluids and refilling, and the clutch may release once you get the engine up to temperature.
●3) Beyond the engine and transmission- Hoses and Belts may need replacing. The problem may be much worse if you find damaged sensors or the core central processing unit destroyed!
●4) Pay special attention to safety systems, such as water-contaminated brake fluid or power steering fluid. Water-logged brake fluid, for example, can vaporize leading to a loss of braking power. Replace contaminated steering and brake fluid, flushing both. Examine brake pads, and drums. Clean out or replace as necessary.
●5) Removing seats, carpeting and insulation may be the only way to dry the cabin completely. It’s critical to start cleaning out as much water as possible, as soon as possible, to remove off corrosion. Disconnect all electrical components, clear the vents and storage compartments, and test all switches, knobs and buttons for workability.
Park the car outside on a sunny day, with all doors and windows open, and lay everything out in the sun— don’t forget to open the trunk(boot/dickie), remove the spare tire. Disconnect all electrical connectors and dry them out with a hair dryer!
●6) Flood waters are usually filled with all kinds of debris from dirt to silt to
grass, which get struck in the most hard to reach places. Make sure that
engine, boot, under spare tire, inside and under the glove compartment
are free from debris.Give the car a water service.
●7) It is most likely, water invaded the fuel tank. Depending on the level of flooding, you may need to drain the fuel tank to eliminate water contamination.That means you’ll need to drain out the tank, recycle the old fuel or get new fuel and then refill.
☆ Start your car only after completing these steps.
☆If the car got soaked in salt water, by any means, DO NOT DO ANY OF THIS. Don’t even try to repair the vehicle. Just sell the vehicle off! at the earliest.
In general, repairing flood damage is an uncertain venture. So, before determining whether you can repair your flood-damaged car, start by determining your car’s worth before the flood damage.
It is true that flood-damaged cars in some cases can be repaired (sometimes at a high cost). However, flood damage can still have serious impact years later. While parts of the car can begin to rust with time.
Not to mention, you may even have a permanent fungus smell in your car. You’ll also have to record the flood damage which can make it harder to insure and sell in the future .
PLEASE NOTE-👆 First of all, one should not drive in the flood, it's dangerous, and then one should not try to be smart at this time, safety is more important.🤔
THINK WISELY, STAY CALM, STAY SAFE.
Great post on car repairing, thanks for sharing.
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