What To Do If Your Car Is In A Flood

by Easton Motors

Ask anyone about “car flood damage repair,” and most will say it’s impossible. Even car insurance companies known to avoid spending money, tend to simply write off a flood-damaged car. Since cars are complex machines and flood water is harmful to all modern cars’ systems, the answer is usually not simple.

There's no doubt that a good dealership or mechanic can sometimes perform miracles. Relatively minor issues, such as damp carpeting and wet trunk liners, might be easy to remedy. On the other hand, they could be indications of serious damage.

Is Your Flood-Damaged Car Worth Repairing

When cars get hit by a storm surge or river flooding, they may sit for days or weeks while water saturates everything. This can severely compromise your vehicle’s interior, electronics, and powertrain.

In general, repairing flood damage is an uncertain venture. Time is of the essence; drying your car out as quickly as possible will give you the best chance at successfully rescuing your ride.

If you plan to try to salvage your flood-damaged car, here are some repair tips:

  • Do not attempt to start a car that has been flooded. A hydro-locked engine, if it even starts, will quickly destroy itself. 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.
  • Check transmission fluid levels, as well as the transfer case and differentials, as these may also have been flooded. Automatic transmission discs and bands tend to delaminate in water. Manual transmission synchronizers can be ruined by lack of lubrication, and a soaked clutch may rust to the flywheel. Transmission problems may be allayed by completely draining fluids and refilling, and the clutch may release once you get the engine up to temperature.
  • 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. Flush the brake system and power steering system. Brake pads and shoes may spread rust to rotors and drums, but moving the car may free them.
  • Dry out the car by removing the seats, carpets and insulation completely. Park the car outside on a sunny day, doors and windows open, and lay everything out in the sun — don’t forget the trunk. Disconnect all electrical connectors and dry them out with a hair dryer or heat gun.
  • Depending on the level of flooding, you may need to drain the fuel tank to eliminate water contamination.

A Better Solution

It is true that flood-damaged cars, in some cases, can be repaired (mostly at a high cost). However, flood damage can still have serious impact years later. Damp spots can start to produce mold while other parts of the car can begin to rust with time. Not to mention, you may have a permanent mildew 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.

If you have an older car with flood damage and insurance won’t cover the costs, a possible option would be to sell your flood-damaged car online. You can use the money you get from the sale to put toward a down-payment for a new car. But you should be wary of buying any such cars

As always, Easton Motors is here to help. We understand that there is always some uncertainty when it comes to buying a used car. At Easton Motors, our business depends on providing you with excellent customer satisfaction so that you'll tell all your friends and come back to us again and again. That is why we have ASE certified master technicians give every vehicle we have a multi-point inspection, and each vehicle comes with a nationwide service warranty of 24 Months / 24,000 Miles.

 

Let us know your story and if you’re looking for help.

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