detecting flooded cars

Now that Typhoon Super#MarioPH has run out of the country, its buying time for dealers buying flood submerged cars. I also buy flood submerged cars by the bulk for part out.(not for sale) but for "katay".
so I have seen how it looks like, and have actually cleaned a few with the help fom mechanics and
chopchop boys.

While there is no sure way to detect vehicle flood damage, here are some inspection tips that car dealers and agents do to detect significant water damage. when buying second hand cars(specially on summer of the following year) At a minimum, You, as a prospective buyer should:

Check the vehicle's title and title history, it may state whether it has sustained flood damage;
Examine the interior and the engine compartment for evidence of water and mud particles the car get  from suspected submersion; (ex. check the insides of a steering wheel)

Check under the dashboard for dried mud and residue, and note any evidence of mold or a musty odor in the upholstery, carpet or trunk;

Inspect the undercarriage of other components for evidence of rust ,  flaking metal that would not normally be associated with late model vehicles.

Inspect for rusting on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting , visually inspect all interior upholstery and door panels for any evidence of fading.

try to check for recently shampooed carpet;

Complete a detailed inspection of the electrical wiring system look for rusted components, water residue or suspicious corrosion

photo by Al Lu

Look under the floorboard carpet for water residue , stain marks from evaporated water that you know is not  related to air-conditioning pan leaks;

Check for rust on screws in the console or other areas where the water would normally not reach unless submerged;

try to look for mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses and around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and relays;

kingsville subd. (pic from VGboy)

Hope this helps while these inspection suggestions will not detect flood damage in every case, they do provide some information that may help to protect consumers like you from purchasing a vehicle damaged
by water or flood.

heres what to do when you know your car is about to get water inside
(I got these tips from Ziebart)

1. Immediately disconnect the negative cable of your car battery to avoid any possible short circuit. This is also to protect the ECU or computer box from damage.

2. Do not start the engine. Try to push the car out to higher ground or try jacking it with the car jack.

3. Disengage and release the parking brake. Keep the transmission in 1st gear (for manual transmission) or "P" (for automatic transmission) to prevent the brake canvas from sticking. This is even more important for cars that use drum brakes.

4. Take plenty of photos both inside and outside the car to document any damage or how deep the car was underwater. This will be useful for both the Insurance and/or Professional Mechanic to determine the extent of the damage.

5. Wait at least 24 hours before you do anything to the vehicle, giving it time to drain, if not completely dry out.

6. If the water got so deep that the dashboard was covered, do not try to start it at all. If any liquid is in the cylinders it will cause damage to the engine. Most of the electronics in the car would have been submerged at this depth, as well.

7. If you don’t think the water got that high, it’s still best to take a look at the oil dipstick to see if there are any traces of water in the lubrication system. If so, assume the engine is flooded and don’t try to start it.

8. You’re in better shape if the water stayed below the center line of your wheels. Nevertheless, let the interior air out as much as possible before trying to start it, taking out the floor mats, trunk mat and even the seats. Much of the wiring and some of the computers in today’s cars are located under the carpet and console box, so even if the engine compartment was not inundated, you could still experience faults to secondary systems.

9. When in doubt, either have your vehicle towed to your trusted service center or call your professional mechanic/electrician for a more thorough inspection and assessment.

till here my friends, this is your loverboy DENNIS signing out