These pictures we're seeing on the news of cars up to the roof in water - would the engines ever work again or would they be complete right-offs?
2007-06-25 09:19:09 · 14 answers · asked by The Shadow 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
flooded cars are too much of a pain to recover that is why they are totaled by insurance companies. Alot of the times though water gets into the engine and if allowed to sit will rust (A VERY BAD THING) and eventually sieze up.
2007-06-25 09:24:49 · answer #1 · answered by Spencer D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the engines were not running at any time when they hit the water and thus did not try to take any in, then yes there is no reason why they could not work - with a good bit of care afterwards. If water is sucked into a running engine then it will do serious damage and quickly.
It will just be such a mess inside as the cars in the flood water will have all the crap of the day going through them. If they are dried out properly then in theory there should be no reaosn why they could not be made to work again - but in practicality a good number will be headed for the scrap yard.
2007-06-25 20:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by ShuggieMac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The insurance companies will need to wait for the reports back from the engineer who evaluates the cars. For example a car that has sucked water through the inlet of the fuel system will have substantial damage to the engine. However a car that has had water in the electronics of the engine management system will require possibly more repair work than the car with the water in the engine.
Sorry some cars can be fixed and others cannot.
2007-06-25 23:19:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My poor VW TDI Golf has just been the victim of a massive flood while it was parked near my work. Luckily I ignored everyone's advice against wading out to save it and managed to wade to it, water up to my thighs before any serious damage was done. I had to get in through the boot because as the water was up passed the door I couldn't open it without the water gushing in. When I got in the car, the foot wells were swilling in water so I had to just get it moved to higher ground, started engine fine and very slowly drove it to a safe place. It conked on me, telling me to shut down engine. Water in ECU's. After spending some time stranded, I was rescued and we got rid of the excess water in foot wells and I drove it very carefully home with no problems, other than airbag warning light on. Now, two days later, my other half has stripped it, carpets, underlay everything is out. I need a new underlay and have been wet-vaccing my carpets and have managed to save the day! No problems at all. I (well my Golf!) has been very lucky and I am very thankful I ignored everyone's advice to leave the poor thing to flood completely. Now the smile is on my face as the people who told me to leave it are now having their cars classed as right-offs!! HA! A new trouser suit costs much less than a new Golf!!!
2007-06-27 09:40:33 · answer #4 · answered by x VICKI x 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't see any pictures. But it would depend on how long they were actually in the water, any pollutants in the water....And the resilience of the car before it got wet. A flooded car is not necessarily doomed. (If flooded up to the windows and sitting in same spot for a week, I would definately worry.)
2007-06-25 09:26:24 · answer #5 · answered by sadistwitch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how deeply it was flooded. My Mondeo was flooded up to the seat squabs. As soon as the water subsided I drove it (started first time) straight to a valeter who pumped out the water from the spare wheel well, dried it out using paraffin blowers for two days, then sprayed the upholstery with anti-mould spray. For a couple of days the immobiliser light stayed on, then all was well (nearly a year ago).
2007-06-25 10:42:11 · answer #6 · answered by Michael B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
engine for the most part would be fine. Most flooded cars are parked when they get flooded, so they don't get water in the engine. The problem is you have to rip out all the mold.
2007-06-25 09:21:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would work depending weather or not the engine drew water into itself and siezed it. thother thing to take into consideration is the contamination of the water, i.e, sewerage e.t.c, it would always be written off due to health risks, such a shame really, but in this culture of where theres blame theres a claim! the insurance companys wont take the gamble...
2007-06-26 04:25:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, engines and electrics can be eventually dried out, but you'd have problems with connections going furry and loosing power over time, it would take some doing but if you got one for next to nothing then maybe worth it ?.
2007-06-25 09:25:28 · answer #9 · answered by Richard 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To keep it short, right it off.
It's not just the engine, but electrical as well. Even if you changed a lot out of the vehicle, there is too many other "bugs" that will appear.
2007-06-25 09:22:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋