How to handle a flooded car to avoid losing more money

1. Do not restart the vehicle

If water has entered the engine, transmission, or fuel system, restarting the car will only make the damage worse. Instead, push the car to high ground or try to raise the car with a jack normally used for changing tires.

2. Remove the negative battery cable end

Disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery on the one hand helps to avoid short circuit, on the other hand helps to protect the ECU or computer box from damage.

3. Find traces of water level

This is easy if the water is full of mud or debris. But clean water leaves no trace. Find waterinside the car doors and taillights, dampness in the car carpet and interior... Knowing the flood level is important, avoiding unnecessary cleaning or repairs.

4. Check engine and transmission oil

If there are drops of water on the end of the dipstick, you must change the oil and oil filter. If the water is too muddy, you should remove the oil tank and clean the oil... Some older cars may have water in the fuel system if they are submerged in water for a long time and deep. At this time, you need to drain the fuel into the tank and observe if there is water mixed in. If you find water in the fuel, you should take the car to a workshop to clean it.

5. Release the handbrake

For manual transmission vehicles, shift to 1st gear; for automatic transmission vehicles, shift to P, to avoid sticking. This is especially important for vehicles with drum brakes.

6. Dry the interior

If water gets into the interior, the damage can be very quick. So, after getting the car out of the flooded area, open all the doors to let the water out. Use any tools you can, including towels, to absorb any remaining water. Then use a fan or a large hair dryer to dry the interior before the rescue team arrives to take it to the garage.

7. Take the car to a professional mechanic for inspection

If you see water only below the wheel hubs, you can rest assured that it is 90% safe. However, you should still dry the interior and remove all carpets to dry. On newer cars, many electrical wires and some computer components are located under the floor mats and center console, so even if the engine compartment is not flooded, the electrical system can still malfunction.

* Consequences of flooded cars

- Water is harmful to ball bearings and bushings under the vehicle., affecting the starter, generator, fan blades, electrical components, sensors...

- Water is the number 1 enemy of the engine.If water reaches the hood, through the air intake pipe, water will flood the engine causing damage and sudden engine failure. This is called hydrostatic shock.

- Electrical systems are also sensitive to water.Short circuits and damage to the vehicle's control system occur when water penetrates from the undercarriage to the floor. This can cause errors in parts or many functions of the car to malfunction. The deeper and longer the vehicle is submerged in water, the more likely it is to be damaged.

- Water just entering the cylinder is also dangerous.At this point the cylinder may rust and then the car will "drink gas like water".

- Car is hydro-hammered.When water hammered, in mild cases only the connecting rod needs to be replaced, in severe cases the entire engine and electrical system may need to be replaced at a high cost.