What To Do With A Flooded Vehicle
The introduction of flood-water into your vehicle is never a good thing, but if your vehicle has been in flood waters, there is a list of things you’ll need to know. The first thing is do not start the car, nor should you power the car on with the key. Get the car out of water as quickly as possible, disconnect the battery, and start the recovery process as soon as you can. The longer your car sits in water, especially muddy water or salt water, the greater potential damage to key systems.
If you’re repairing water damage yourself, try the following steps. We advise contacting your insurance company quickly in any flooding situation.
Repairing a Flooded Car, Once Outside of Water
1. Do Not Start the Car
This is key. High water that is up and over the engine compartment means that water has been introduced into the intake tract, and is likely inside any cylinder that had an open intake or exhaust valve. Attempting to start the vehicle at this point will result in hydro-lock, and a damaged engine which otherwise may be repairable.
2. Disconnect the Battery
Disconnect the battery as quickly as possible. In fact, disconnecting the battery BEFORE a flood in anticipation that flooding could happen (like a hurricane) is a good practice. Many electrical items in your vehicle have “constant power” being run to them. Water mixed with electrical current will cause a failure in these components, where otherwise, simply cleaning and drying them can save them.
3. Roll Down The Windows
If possible, roll the windows down. If the windows are electric, open the doors.
4. Look For a High-Water Mark
This will give you an idea of the level of damage. It will usually be clear, especially on the interior. If the water mark is at a low level, below the dash, and water is just in the floor boards, this is the best-case scenario. If the water is up over the dash, then all the electrical components within the dash, and the engine itself have all been penetrated with water.
5. Get Any Residual Water Out Of The Car
If the water level was low enough to not penetrate the dash area, then the car is probably not a total loss. Start by getting the residual water out of the floorboards with a submersible pump and/or shop vac. You can flush these areas with fresh water and vacuum out. Along the buttom of your doors, some vehicles have plastic plugs that can be removed, and several also have these in the floor boards. Remove these plugs to let water out. If the doors have these, remove the door panels and flush the bottom of the doors out with a hose. Once all the water has been removed, you will need to put fans on the vehicle to dry out the interior quickly, or mold will develop.
6. Drain The Engine / Transmission Oil / Change
Regardless if the water level was lower than the engine, it’s best to completely drain and refill the engine oil, transmission oil, and differential fluid as all of these may have water in them.
7. Remove Spark Plugs On High-Water Vehicle
If the vehicle has been in a high-water situation where it’s suspect that the engine’s intake tract was exposed to water, you’re going to want to remove each spark plug.
The vehicle can then be either hand-spun, or cranked to check if any water is present coming out of the spark plug holes. If none is present, then water probably did not make it into the engine. Remove all the piping from the intake tract, and inspect for any mud or dirt indicating flood-water. Rinse the entire intake tract clean.
8. Check fuel system
Siphon out some gas and look for water. Water weighs more than gas, so make sure your siphon is at the bottom of the fuel tank. If you find water mixed with the gas, your tank will need to be dropped and cleaned.
9. Check Other Fluids
Brake, clutch, power steering, coolant reservoirs are sealed on most newer vehicles, but water can seep in.
10. Check Electrical Systems
If key electrical systems are below the water line, they will likely need to be replaced, although some can be flushed, cleaned and left to dry. Checking and troubleshooting flooded electrical will often be the most labor-intensive of all the checks on the vehicle.
Flooded Vehicle Repair Recommendations
If there is ANY possibility that there could be water in the engine oil or transmission fluid DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START YOUR ENGINE. Even cranking the engine will mix the water and oil/ transmission fluid creating and distributing sludge throughout the engine and transmission that will likely require full disassembly to clean out.
Oil Filter
Likelihood to Repair: High
Change the oil and carefully inspect the oil that comes out of the crankcase for water contamination. If any water is found remove the oil pan, oil pump and pickup to remove any contamination.
Transmission Filter
Likelihood to Repair: High
If your vehicle has been submerged for even a brief time it’s likely that the transmission fluid is contaminated. A full (pan and torque converter) fluid and filter change is highly recommended.
Wheel Bearings
Likelihood to Repair: High
Remove spindle cap and check for any water. If any water is found, remove bearings to clean, inspect for damage (especially rust) and repack or replace.
Fuel Filter
Likelihood to Repair: High
Even if your fuel has not been contaminated it is likely you may get some contaminated fuel during the cleanup efforts. Replace your fuel filter so you have the most filtering capacity.
Spark Plugs
Likelihood to Repair: High
If the oil shows signs of water contamination, remove all of the spark plugs to inspect for water. Disable the ignition and fuel systems, then use the starter to spin the engine to expel any water in the cylinders. Replace the plugs or install new ones.
Brake Master Cylinder
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
Check the Master Cylinder reservoir for water. If any is found, use a suction bulb (turkey baster) to remove as much fluid as possible. Refill with new brake fluid and fully bleed the system from all four wheels to eliminate the water contamination. Run at least a full quart of new fluid through the system.
Clutch Master Cylinder
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
Check the Clutch Master Cylinder reservoir for water. If any is found, use a suction bulb (turkey baster) to remove as much contaminated fluid as possible. Then refill reservoir with new fluid and bleed the system to eliminate the water contamination. Run at least a pint of new fluid through the system.
Power Steering Pump
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
Check the power steering pump reservoir for water. If any is present, remove as much as possible with suction bulb (turkey baster) and then flush the system with at least a quart of new fluid.
Fuel Tank
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
If your fuel has become contaminated with water. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ADDITIVES! Fuel additives are designed to address small amounts of water contamination. Remove all the contaminated fuel from your tank and flush the fuel lines from the engine compartment back to the tank.
Fuel Pump
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
If you have an in tank electric fuel pump and your fuel has been contaminated, remove all contaminated fuel and inspect pump for damage.
Fuel Pump Strainer
Likelihood to Repair: Medium
If you have an in tank electric fuel pump and your fuel was contaminated replace the fuel pump strainer to protect your electric fuel pump.
Brake Pads
Likelihood to Repair: Low
If the vehicle has been submerged for a long time all friction materials may have been damaged. There is no method of determining if and how much they have been damaged. Respond immediately to any symptoms that arise.
Brake Shoes
Likelihood to Repair: Low
If the vehicle has been submerged for a long time all friction materials may have been damaged. There is no method of determining if and how much they have been damaged. Respond immediately to any symptoms that arise.
Clutch Disc
Likelihood to Repair: Low
If the vehicle has been submerged for a long time all friction materials may have been damaged. There is no method of determining if and how much they have been damaged. Respond immediately to any symptoms that arise.
CV Axle
Likelihood to Repair: Low
Remove one retaining clamp for each joint and check for water. If any is found, remove the shaft from the vehicle to dry, clean, inspect for damage (especially rust) and repack with appropriate grease OR replace.
Parking Brake Cable
Likelihood to Repair: Low
If vehicle was flooded with salt (or brackish) water use penetrant lube with tube attachment to spray lubricant into the cable casing to push any remaining water out and reduce rust creation. Replacement of the cables is likely over the long term since it’s impossible to remove all of the water.
Electrical System Bulb Grease
Likelihood to Repair: Low
All electrical connectors and components submerged in water may exhibit corrosion related problems. Disconnect and dry out electrical connections and components and apply bulb grease to all connectors before reassembly.
U-Joints
Likelihood to Repair: Low
If U-Joints have grease zerksuse a grease gun to grease them, if any water comes out during this process remove the joints from the vehicle to inspect for damage (especially rust on needle bearings), remove water, repack with appropriate grease and reinstall OR install new joints. (For U-Joints without zerks remove from vehicle to inspect.)
If you’re unsure where to turn with a flooded vehicle and aren’t filing an insurance claim, seek out one of our preferred shops in your area to help you complete the inspection and work!
