Cars From a Flood

Cars that have been through a flood should be stripped of useful parts (mud flaps, dangling dice, and chrome shifter knobs) and the rest should be sent to the breaking yard. For proof, take your laptop (powered up) and submerge it in muddy water for two days, rinse it off, dry it, and try to use it.

Thank you so much and may the good Lord bless us all for always

Thanks to TVP45,DrMoose,Jack of all trades and peterg7lyq

Many years ago I worked for a marina on the Missouri River in North Dakota. Once, we had a client who had an outboard motor that came loose and went into the drink. We recovered the motor, tossed it head first into a barrel of fresh water and took it back to the shop, dried it out and flooded the crankcase with WD-40. And low and behold, when we slipped it into the test tank, it fired right up and ran fine.

Now granted, this thing had a point and condenser ignition and was only in the water for about two weeks. I would expect that a modern automobile might not recover so well. At the very least, I should think that most of it's electronics would have to be replaced, as these do not take well to being flooded, especially with less than perfectly pure water.

Now in this case, I think I have to agree with TVP45. If this car had been attended to immediately after its immersion, it might have survived. But, having been totally submerged and then left to sit for 5 months afterward, it's going to be a mess. The electronics are going to be completely shot, the engine and transmission will require overhaul, the interior is going to be beyond moldy, and there's going to be corrosion everywhere. Better to take the insurance money and get a new one.

Are the cars insured? Just how high was the waterline? Salt or freshwater? For how long?

Older cars MAY be able to be reconditioned, but not without a lot of effort (full disassembly of the engine and electrics, replacement of the fluids, battery and alternator replacement, etc). The electrics in newer model cars are full of electronics and microprocessors and are not economical to repair.

Doesn't your insurance cover this? If you are insured they should have told you the cars were not economical to repair and just paid out for the claim.

Anyway, back to your original question.....

Technician drain the fluid and repeat it 3x, as the test drive goes on the engine wild, what was the best move?

This is of no great surprise given the minimal amount of attempted repair work done. Disassembly and careful cleaning and inspection of the engine (and associated electrics) may (may) fix the problem, possibly one or more of the engine sensors need replacing also. Take special care inspecting and cleaning the carburettor, and while your at it check the mechanical throttle linkages (as they may be jamming).

Years ago when i worked for a garage we had some cars in that had been submerged in river water for about a week.

we were told by the garage owner to dry them out touch up the rust spots which had already started to form and get them ready to be sold.

after some months out side gues what.

they all started to rust like mad in strange places ie inside, the generators stopped working so did the starters,

on one i stripped down there was heavy rust inside the engine that was not covered by the sump oil. ps these cars were ones that had no electronics apart from the radio

Now new cars have loads of electronics and they dont like water a bit

as somone else has said. scrap it.

If it had been totally stripped down and properly cleaned withing 24 hours of the flood visit, you MIGHT have got it going again.

After 7 days or more, no chance whatsoever.......

Scrap it and forget it. Investing any more money will not help.....other than to clear out your bank balance, you won't fix the problems for long, if at all.

Donate it to "Myth Busters". They can do a whole show on it. The myth is that you can leave a car submerged for months and get it running again.

I don't know what country you are posting from, but here in the USA, cars that have been submerged, such as those from the Gulf Coast States are required to be scrapped by the insurance carriers. Most states require that any car that has been declared totaled by insurance carriers must be scrapped or may be salvaged for certain body parts. This is why, the wise buyer demands a "carfax' report before buying any used car.

Said report will show the extent of any major repairs or the totaling of most automobiles. Unfortunately there a few states that do not require the reporting of totaled cars. One would be wise to get the history of just where any car has been registered as there are a few crooks that will take cars bought for salvage and re title them in those few states and then haul them elsewhere for sale.

TMF

Once you remove all the possible defective equipment and properly perform all the preventative maintenance tasks. You will exceed the value or worth of the car.

They never run the same as factory, after the required changes.

You will never have the assurance that the car will be able to travel a long distance without problems. Give yourself a piece of mind and don't absorb the cost.

Put the car to rest, as a parts donor.

Most insurance companies in the USA are regulated to scrap these vehicles for good reason.

Regards, Tim

What to do if a car is flooded? If you have the time and willingness do it and to learn;

First, How much is the car worth, did your home or car insurance covered it.

Second, Is the car old or late model, need to know the water level.

Third, how long was underwater?

Fourth, in case is your only vehicle and have no money to pay a mechanic to repair it, buy yourself a set of hand tools and a chilton book for basic guidance.

Open the air filter box and inspect the filter for water damage, replace it, if needed.

Remove the oil pan and check for signs of water, if none is found, chances are the engine is good.

Have the vehicle steam clean.

If water is present or the carpet is wet, use a shop vacuum and do your best, then

leave the windows and doors open for aeration.

If power is not present, replace or recharge battery.

Normally, electronic components are sealed but moisture can always find its way in,

even new or late model vehicle electronics fail, junk yards are a good source to find replacement parts.