In regards to the "don't buy flood cars" thread....

uhhhh....ya ok OP...

The problem is, you'd probably be buying "as-is" and would never really know how submerged it was....or whether the owner tried to run the engine, or maybe did run it with water in the crank case....

Not to mention the transmission!!! And the final drive/differentials.....you would have to assume water contamination to play that deal safe....

And then there's the mold issue with fabrics.....it's a big pain to properly recover a flood vehicle...

Except for the water in the transmission, soaked upolstery that will dry out and clean ok, but already started to harbor mold, that you will smell faintly.

Electrical components that start to corrode, but don't stop working for a year or so. Expensive computerized components for the entertainment system, navigation, clock and shit.

A car still under factory warranty, that the dealer says has been water damaged.... no warranty for you!

Been there, done that.

The engine and transmission are water tight, except for the top of course where you fill them. You can't run an engine with water in the crankcase, it will immediatly start knocking.

It's not as bad as people think.

Last Edited by TwentyTwenty on 10/30/2012 05:15 PM

What's the matter AC? Jealous you have no clue about cars?

if the engine was running when flooded then there is a good chance the engine is junk.

fluids dont compress which means that as a cylinder with water in it comes up on its compression stroke something has to give and it wont be the water. it will usually bend connecting rods or break them.

ive personally seen conecting rods in a diesel engine severely bent because water entered the cylinder.

a diesel engines internals are by far more stout and much stronger than a normal gasoline engines internals are because diesel engines run such high compression ratios.

a regular gas engine might have a compression ratio of 10:1 but a diesel engine compression ratios can go as high as 24:1.

transmissions,transfer cases for 4x4 and rear ends all have vents of some sorts so its highly likely that water will get into those as well.

myself id never invest in a car i knew had been flooded.

I agree, but if the engine is drained first, flushed, then refilled with clean oil, just as if it had blown a head gasket, and filled the crankcase with coolant, the engine would be fine, as long as it was done correctly. As long as everything is drained, there most likely won't be any problems. This storm will be a godsend for the used parts industry as well. Such as doors, fenders, bumpercovers etc. I'm not talking about a car that was completely submerged, I'm talking just up to the middle of the doors.

How many people have bought used transmissions, gearboxes, rearends that were sitting outside at the parts yard, and had no problems.

What about all the crap and sewage in the water that flooded the car??
You'll never get it out of all the nooks...Maybe buy one for driveline parts otherwise dont go near them!!

And new cars are NASA built with so much electrical crap and computer control of everything...NO WAY!! Water and electronics just dont mix...Maybe if it where like my 87' 4x4 Toy with carb you could dry it out. Still smell though

Its one thing to have a diff or gear box rained on another being under 10 feet of salty water

Yes, I agree most of the carpets would need replaced, and doorpanels, and seats steamcleaned...I'm talking more mechanical parts than interior. I would love for a truckload of all the Camaros Firebirds Mustangs they could send me. I'd make a killing off the parts.

well as long as nothing electrical was on then it should be fine. you can get many things electronic wet and it will survive just as long as you let it dry out before you try and power it up.

i would double flush, maybe even triple flush the engine with clean oil.

salt water and electronics don't get along very well

I agree with you, it all depends on the submersion. If the water level wasn't deep enough to cause problems with electronics, it can be worth buying. I got my car from VehBidz auto auction as there was a big choice of flood damaged cars for sale there, and after I repaired it I can say I didn't have any issues with it. Of course you need to estimate the sort of repairs a flooded vehicle will require before buying it.

Flood Cars are "Fine To dry out and sell"..

I can't wait to buy a used car from your shop..