is my flooded car totaled?

Question

what do you do to fix a flood car? it was submerged about two feet in brackish water for about an hour. the oil and transmission are both overfilled, indicating water in each (possible engine damage if my car is ran) what about all the sensors and air filters?....ahhhhh!

Answer 1

I'd say yes totaled.

It can be fixed but the cost would most likely surpass the value of the car, thus totaled.

Answer 2

Don't know what kind of car or how old, but it is most likely totaled, unless YOU want to spend week-ends in the endeavor of repair and restoration.
All of the fluids (transmission, engine, brake, differential etc.) must be changed and flushed.
All of the electronics (PCM, sensors, radio, instruments, etc) as well as most of the wiring will have to be either replaced or repaired.
This alone, never mind the upholstery, the body, trim, door panels etc. will cost a great deal of money, and a whole lot more if you are going to PAY someone else to do it.
One more thing---->when cars are flooded, if there is ANY chance of having been in water contaminated with biologicals, exercise extreme caution when working around areas where you could be poked and the contamination can get under your skin into the blood stream. It doesn't take much, and you can't necessarily identify any one area as being particularly dangerous.
After the Katrina incident, we lost a fireman in Texas as a result of infection he contracted during a rescue involving a New Orleans reclaimed vehicle. He received a very small scratch on his thumb, and within a week he was dead.
Be very careful.
Good Luck

Answer 3

If you disconnected the battery then pushed it into the water some of the electrics might work after you get the water and sand out of all the relays. engine transmission drain and refills a couple of times are all they need automatic trans a complete fluid changing about 12 qts of fluid.Micro electronic circuit boards don't do so good with power hooked up water reacts with Metal solder and grounds copper and aluminum. About thirty minutes and engine control Trans control and air bag system is toasted. Hear the sizzle! After removing and pressure washing the carpet removing the moldy carpet padding and replacing the pad drying out the car shampooing seat foam rubber is harder and the car never smells right again. It can be done. I would not and know how. Take your loss and move on.

Answer 4

Not so much totalled more like how much work has to be done. If the cost for labour exceeds the value of the car then it is named a write off.
All filters have to be replaced .
Everything says over full because it has water in it. Nothing is damaged untill you try to run it.
Did you turn that Key? I'll bet you did ?
But all that c r ap has to be flushed out . Out of the Motor, Trans., Gas Tank,
Its a helluva lot of work good luck.

Answer 5

It may be ok depending if the water got into the ecu. obviously the engine oil will need flushing and the filters changed. And the gearbox.
Strange that the water got into the transmission. the only place it could get in is the dipstick tube. the water level must have been high
hope this helps
darren

Answer 6

probably not, it depends upon age and condition of car before flood.

several years ago, a friend of mine ran his truck(an older model) into the river at a boat ramp. it was completely submerged for about 2 hours before we got it out. we drained all fluids, including rear end, gas tank, transmission, etc. dried out the distubitor. we aired out the inside and removed floor mats.

cranked that thing up, it shot water all out the exhaust pipes. ran it for about 20-30 minutes(slow idle and slow down road.) changed engine oil and trans oil again. he drove it for years after that.

Answer 7

Yes it is totalled. If you try to make repairs and get it running again you will begin the adventure into never-ending electrical problems. All insurance companies recognize this case and will not attempt repairs.

Answer 8

i'd say so