NEED ADVISE: Vehicle/Engine submerged in flood water [MERGED]

[Walter]

mga tsikot gurus help naman po:

i dont know much about cars and mine (city 08, manual tranny) got flooded yesterday. covered ng baha hanggang tip ng gulong. im now drying the car out but how do i diagnose the extent of the damage?

here's what i noticed:
- I started the engine and water sputtered out of the muffler, the exhaust that comes out of the muffler has a stronger burnt smell.
- The hum of the engine is much louder during idle. It would idle just fine then "shake" a bit.
- Wala naman error according dun sa displays (those that display warning lights sa may speedometer e.g. oil, engine, etc)
- aircon, lights, keyless entry works just fine.

Also, would it be safe to drive it na to the detailing place? And tama ba na ipainterior detail ko muna before taking it sa casa? The floodwater stinks and Im worried na baka matagalan pa pag claim sa insurance.

please

You should've read the posts here on what to do with vehicles that are flooded before doing anything with your vehicle.

[niky]

mga tsikot gurus help naman po:

i dont know much about cars and mine (city 08, manual tranny) got flooded yesterday. covered ng baha hanggang tip ng gulong. im now drying the car out but how do i diagnose the extent of the damage?

here's what i noticed:
- I started the engine and water sputtered out of the muffler, the exhaust that comes out of the muffler has a stronger burnt smell.

Water is normal. No problem. The stronger smell might be your catalytic converter drying off.

- The hum of the engine is much louder during idle. It would idle just fine then "shake" a bit.

It's cold. Give it a hug. But seriously, have the belts checked. Some of the accessory belts might be seizing.

- Wala naman error according dun sa displays (those that display warning lights sa may speedometer e.g. oil, engine, etc)
- aircon, lights, keyless entry works just fine.

Lucky. You shouldn't have started it in the first place without drying it out... even if the ECU is fine, there are numerous sensors that need to be dried out properly. Accessories like the alternator that have been underwater have to be double checked, also.

Also, would it be safe to drive it na to the detailing place? And tama ba na ipainterior detail ko muna before taking it sa casa? The floodwater stinks and Im worried na baka matagalan pa pag claim sa insurance.

please

If you started it already and it runs, whatever damage would be done is done. Just check to make sure there's no water in your oil, then go ahead.

[greymatter]

I'ved deleted this post after learning that my original post with separated paragraphs were being automatically stripped-off after submitting...

anyway here's the original link of the ADVISORY from 4X4 Philippines... This might be of help to everyone whose car has been submerged in the recent Manila flash flooding...

[ADVISORY] Salvaging your car after brutal Manila floods

Nice link. Thanks for sharing. Ako rin inabot ng baha hanggang dashboard ang aking 97 mitsu.

Meron kaya sa inyo ang may alam paano tanggalin ang ECU ng 97 galant? Natanggal ko na ang isa. Yung isa (A/T ECU siguro) medyo mahirap abutin tsaka parang di common ang fasteners.

Also sabi ng neighbor kong mekaniko, ibabad ko daw sa lighter fluid ang ECU, tama ba yon?

Advice din po how to dry my the instrument panel. Tinanggal ko na and i noticed that yung mga bulbs ay pinasok din ng tubig.

Thanks.

[japong]

Nice link. Thanks for sharing. Ako rin inabot ng baha hanggang dashboard ang aking 97 mitsu.

Meron kaya sa inyo ang may alam paano tanggalin ang ECU ng 97 galant? Natanggal ko na ang isa. Yung isa (A/T ECU siguro) medyo mahirap abutin tsaka parang di common ang fasteners.

Also sabi ng neighbor kong mekaniko, ibabad ko daw sa lighter fluid ang ECU, tama ba yon?

Advice din po how to dry my the instrument panel. Tinanggal ko na and i noticed that yung mga bulbs ay pinasok din ng tubig.

Thanks.

Ghosthunter: thanks sir. di ko kasi nakita tong thread na ito.

Sir bakit ibababad sa lighter fluid? ano explantion?

Better buy siguro a hair dryer to dry out the electronics and never put PUT POWER ON IT unless you want to be short circuit.. or any anti-rust solution na pwede gamitin at safe sa electronics.

Let's just hope and pray na yung bagong bago ay hindi na magtuloy. dami na kawawang Pilipino na start from the scratch.

[KERSMcRae]

ang kawawa yung mga brand new na sasakyan mga 2005 models up.

mahirap din tumingin ng 2nd hand na kotse ngayon sa ads hehe. kung tumitingin ng car, better get a brand new from casa.

best thing for car owners who have plans on selling their cars in the future should have taken photos of their vehicles/garages on this date (Sept. 25-26, 2009). Clever buyers might noted this event caused by Ondoy on their diary.

[XTO]

Sell........







then buy a Crosswind.

With less electronic engine parts, its probably the best suited to survive a submersion.

after interior detailing/drying, you can have it towed to nearest gas station for fluids replacement / grease repacking and you're done

[Hondai]

You should've read the posts here on what to do with vehicles that are flooded before doing anything with your vehicle.

geez thanks for the compassion/empathy.

i would have if nabalik agad internet/electricity service dito sa area namin

[Hondai]

many thanks!!!

[Xantrium]

Precautions

1. Tow your car on a safe place.

a. Home / Garage

b. Mechanic’s Place

b. Dry and Safe location



2. Don’t Attempt to start your car. Why?

a. Flooded Fuel Tank

b. Electrical Short Circuit

c. Water in oil

d. Might increase damage (shorted computer box if your car is EFI)

Some DIY Tips for Gasoline Car.

ENGINE

1. Drain Oil – to make sure that there are no water inside the engine.

2. Drain Fuel Tanks – Check if it is filled also by mud. You need to pull this down for through cleaning.

3. Drain Transmission Fluid

4. Drain Radiator Fluid

5. Computer Box – commonly found in your car’s kick Panel. Remove Computer box and try to dry. Some of computer boxes are sealed. Dry the contacts.

6. Brake fluids

7. Check Fuel Lines under your car

8. Non ECU car. (carb type) Clean distributor

9. Replace/Clean Spark plugs.

10. Check engine belts,replace them because it might also be deteriorated by mud.



Check all the fluids of your car. You have to remove them, clean its container and replace them.



For Diesel engines.

1. Diesel Engines doesn’t have computer boxes. That’s the advantage. Just replace the fluids. Clean or replace fuel pump. You can also drain the fuel pump by just pumping it and using a 10mm wrench to drain the water inside the fuel pump. (Again double check if it has its ECU, you might have an ABS ECU.)


ALARM SYSTEM

1. Disable or Remove Alarm System, there is a possibility that you willreplace your alarm after the unwanted incident.

INTERIOR

1. Remove Seats, and Carpet. Dry those first before installing it back in.

2. Pullout your dashboard as mud will accumulate here because it may accumulate rustin the future.

3. Removedoor sidings and clean the walls inside the doors.

4. Removespare tire and drain water



ELECTRICAL

1. Most of your car electronics will be the problem. Remove all electrical accessoriesfrom car audio to electrical car gauges.

2. You have to check the battery of your car if it can still charge. Most probably a battery replacement is also needed. Try to bring it first to your nearest battery outlet and have it checked.

3. Alternator - this is your car’s charging system.. Sensitive to water because it has electrical components on it. If your battery is already good.. Once car is running check if battery is charging. Bring it to a radiator shop or use a multi tester and check if it is charging.. common measurement should be 13.6 or14.4 volts.

4. Lighting System – Remove Tail Lights and Head lights to drain Water. Check bulbs and wiring.

5. Windows– Remove door sidings, clean door internals, apply grease to hinges and motors.

6. Other motors – Wipers etc. Try to dry and lube them after.

7. Electrical Fuses – Remove all electrical fuses. Remove and clean them. Dry the connections.

8. Gauges– remove bulb from your gauges/panels. Clean them.

DON'T START THE CAR UNTIL COMPLETELY DRY

BREAKING SYSTEM

1. Cars with ABS. Check your car model of you also have ABS, if you have an ABS, thisis another headache. Locate your ABS ECU (ECU – computer box), it might has itsown computer box or also built-in to your engine’s ECU (computer box)

2. Check Break lines underneath the car

3. Drain Break Fluid

4. Check hand break

AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM - have it checked and cleaned by the pro's, mud will kill your evaporator and other components.



CHECK YOUR CAR’S MANUAL AND SEE WHAT TO LUBE, a WD40 is great for electrical motors and other electrical components.



Hope this helps if you’re going to DIY, but the best way is just bring your car to your trusted mechanic. This might also help as a check list... If you have suggestions or Q’s just message me here.



For interior detailing. Go to a reputable detailing shops near your place. ingat lang po sa mapagsamantala baka mag take advantage sila pero di naman nila alam ang ginagawa. basta lang kumita. Ingat sa lahat!

[eight2five2000]

That's a good checklist you provided there. However, we don't know anything about car repairs so right now we are depending on the mechanic who's working on our 4-year old mitsubishi adventure now which got completely submerged in floodwater last saturday. We wanted to bring it to diamond motors but said we have to wait for a few days because there are still several cars waiting in line plus they estimated that we might spend a 100k more or less. Instead of that, we decided to have it fixed na lang by one of the mechanics referred to us by some people we know. We'll have the interiors detailed after the mechanic finishes the repair. Do you think this is ok? Do you think that since our car has been flooded, its engine would not be running as efficiently as before thus would require frequent repairs and check-ups? thanks...