Flood damage?

[PricklyPete]

I would definitely contact insurance. No way I'd want to deal with that longterm.

 

[PricklyPete]

I have to say...this kind of situation does make you appreciate a nicely built SUV. At the BMW Experience, they had us sitting in 22-24" of choppy water in brand new X5's and there wasn't a drop of water in the cabin. At some point the air intake would have bene overrun (not sure when), but still pretty quality.

 

[thescreensavers]

When my car got flooded, it was just like an inch or 2 of water inside, but the water level never went that high so I dont understand how it got in there, but I HAD to pull the carpet out there was sitting water. I used a Wet vac and pulled the carpet, I put Damprid inside and closed all the doors and windows and let all of it air out for a week +.

OP I would take apart your interior ASAP and dry everything out. If the water went any higher then the skirts I would worry about other stuff like Tranny and Diffs, bushings bearings..ect

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Then perhaps you could explain this:



You said the doors don't have drains. They do. Every single car made that might get wet has them. No, they weren't designed with floods in mind, but there's no difference between water coming by the window and getting inside the door and water coming up through the drains and getting inside the door, OR the drains getting clogged up and letting water build up and slosh around inside the door.
Water is water, and inside the door is inside the door, regardless of how it got there. The water inside the door panel itself is a non-issue. It's plastic, mostly, and water will run out if it just like the water inside the door itself will run out the drains.

You may well be confused about exactly what you're trying to describe here, which could be the problem.
I am talking about metal drains holes in the bottom of the sheet metal of the door....holding water in the door can foul up window motors, lock actuators, regulators, etc.
All cars have those drains.

As far as car's various drains....you'd be wrong on some of those points, too. Convertible tops have drains and channels. Cowls have drains of varying designs. Sunroofs and doors, as you mentioned, do. Rockers have drains. All weatherstrips are designed to channel water so it can drain off. Trunk lids that have rear bolt-on panels have drains in the bottom of them. Etc, etc.

Sigh. I know. And yes, there most certainly is a HUGE difference between water splashing down inside the door (i.e. leaving window open in storm) and a flood rising up and filling the entire door with water. (and pooling up inside the window motors, bottom of the window track, getting all of the pivots wet for the window, soaking any sound deadening, etc etc etc.) No one is saying that door drains don't exist, or won't drain *most* of the water out of the door.


Seriously guys, if you haven't actually seen what a flood does to a car please stop giving fleabag-type input (i.e. 'guessing' about what happens or basing it off of crap you read on forums)

 

[tk149]

I emptied everything out of the car except for the seats and carpet. I found that the carwash guys missed draining the trunk underneath the carpet. I spent some time doing that.

I found out from the neighbors that flooding is almost an annual occurence.

Last night I drove the car around for awhile with the A/C running, but I don't think it really helped much.

Last night's forecast was for rain, so I parked the car in a different place uphill from where it was at when it flooded. This morning the car smelled swampy, and there were huge drops of condensation on the inside of the windows. I've never seen that before.

I dropped the car off at the dealer this morning for a repair estimate.

 

[LTC8K6]

Seriously guys, if you haven't actually seen what a flood does to a car please stop giving fleabag-type input (i.e. 'guessing' about what happens or basing it off of crap you read on forums)

Perhaps if you'd stop the insults, we could have a rational discussion over the disagreement(s)?

 

[Vette73]

Another thing to try and help is park in direct sunlight and leave the windows lightly cracked. This way it holds in as much heat as it can but also have a place for the moisture to get out.

I can’t remember the name of them. But remember the little packets that come with clothes to keep the moisture down. You can get those in very large sizes. I would not use them till you get most of the water out (shop vac, fans, and heat example I gave above). Once that happens then put several of them in your car with the windows closed.

But long term I hope your insurance comes through. I have worked on way to many flood cars in my wrenching days and even if you get them running well it will always have issues.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Perhaps if you'd stop the insults, we could have a rational discussion over the disagreement(s)?

I'm not insulting anyone -

Chain of events - OP makes post, everyone says it's ok just dry it out and everything will be fine. I post that no, flood water damage does not work that way; particularly 20" worth. Then we all go back and forth over it with people who are very obviously just 'guessing' (or getting their answers from what they read online) which is, by definition, fleabagging.

Then the OP comes back with electrical problems, floodwater problems (swamp smell, humidity issues) that basically shows what happens to flood damaged cars.


So now everyone is trying to backtrack. Seriously, I'm done with that part of it..


OP... I'm curious what the dealer will say.. Really you should start the insurance process as there's really no way to completely 'repair' a flood damaged car.

If you don't have full coverage then what these people are saying is correct and you can "help" stop the problems, but like I said - my bet is that they total it.

 

[LTC8K6]

For the record, I made no guesses, and looked nothing up online, and I've had a wet car before.

I have not backtracked an inch, except when new info was presented that was not available to me prior.

There is no way that comparing someone to fleabag is not intended as an insult, imo.

Also, I was let out of high school a while ago, and that's the last time I recall anyone playing such games in what's supposed to be a rational discussion, or "calling out" anyone.

With that, I'm done with the topic unless something else comes up.

Marlin, I think you are looking for the word "dessicant".

 

[tk149]

OP... I'm curious what the dealer will say..

Yeah, me too. Still waiting.

If you don't have full coverage then what these people are saying is correct and you can "help" stop the problems, but like I said - my bet is that they total it.

I should be fully covered (except for the $500 deductible). The agent said that I would be covered, and the State Farm website specifically states that flood damage is covered.

Did I mention the $500? That's going to hurt.

Coincidentally, I am in the middle of doing a cash-out refinance on my house, with the money meant to go for a down payment on a second property. I may get stuck buying a car instead. 🙁

 

[tk149]

The Dealer called. She didn't have a full estimate yet, but said the "brain" of the car needs replacement. I think she called it the EOC or something like that.

She also said that the carpet would need replacement. Just for labor costs alone she was guessing $3000-$4000. I asked about replacing the seats, and she said that I should talk to the insurance company first. I would guess that she's probably thinking they will just total the car.

 

[angry hampster]

The ECU? Usually ~$1500-2000 on its own.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Sigh. I know. And yes, there most certainly is a HUGE difference between water splashing down inside the door (i.e. leaving window open in storm) and a flood rising up and filling the entire door with water. (and pooling up inside the window motors, bottom of the window track, getting all of the pivots wet for the window, soaking any sound deadening, etc etc etc.) No one is saying that door drains don't exist, or won't drain *most* of the water out of the door.


Seriously guys, if you haven't actually seen what a flood does to a car please stop giving fleabag-type input (i.e. 'guessing' about what happens or basing it off of crap you read on forums)

Damn, you still don't get it, because you STILL don't understand door drains and what they're there for, apparently.

Water goes down inside the door EVERY time the car gets wet. EVERY TIME. With the window UP. THAT is what the door drains are for. The window doesn't have to be down....if it is and it rains, you have more problems than water inside the door.

Yes, water going inside the door during the rain and getting trapped inside the door because the drains are plugged up is EXACTLY the same as it getting flooded. Water in the door is water in the door. If the components in the door are submerged, they're submerged.
As I said before, you simply are not understanding what I'm talking about....you seem to be referring to water inside the door PANEL, not inside the DOOR ITSELF. Inside the panel is irrelevant to electrical damage. Not likely there's anything mounted low enough in the panel to have gotten wet. A speaker, maybe, or an entry light...that's about it. None of the switches should be at risk.

Yes, you DID say that "some" cars had door drains. No, ALL cars have them. They also have an inner splash shield to prevent water from splashing into the door panel, running out from under it and getting into the car. This is likely how the water got into the car...those shields aren't designed to hold back much weight...they are only attached with some low-strength adhesive.

And YES, every drop of water runs or evaporated out of the OP's door by the next day, if the car sat in the sun much at all. There's nowhere in there for it to pool up and not drain out.

That's why the components inside the door are designed to get wet. If you submerged them and left them for a week, maybe that would be a different story....and maybe not.
But if it rains all night, they stay wet all night. No difference.

I can tell you I've seen many, many cars with plugged door drains that just held water all the time, and everything still worked even WEEKS and MONTHS later. It's not that big a deal.

I'd be far more worried about what's under the carpet.....some manufacturers put modules under the carpet. If yours is one of them, THAT might be a real problem.

Re: the "Flea-bagging": Look, this is what I do for a living. I've most likely seen more water intrusion and damage than everyone (not just about everyone, EVERYONE) here put together, (including all the mechanics) unless you happen to own a similar business. I know exactly what I'm talking about. I typically just offer advice when I have some, and don't when I don't....but if you're going to start hurling around insults like "Flea-bagging", which is pretty much what you yourself are doing, you better make sure they're intended for people who are really "Flea-bagging", and don't know their subject matter.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

<snip>

First off, I fully understand how door drains work. I agree with everything you've posted, except this 'everything will be fine' mentality about flooded cars.

When I say "some cars have door drains" I'm talking about a drain at the very bottom of the door - which many do not have. They have vents that keep everything dry; but again - not specifically designed to drain flood water out of the door.. They're designed to let the humidity and small amount of water evaporate from rain etc.


Perhaps because it's all online we're not relaying the right info between one another, either way - my 'beef' has nothing to do with whether or not the drains are there.. It has to do with people insinuating that you can just leave the doors open, vacuum out some water, and voila you'll have no more issues with a flooded car.

 

[alphatarget1]

Were the drains in the apartment complex well maintained? You could probably sue the owner of the complex if they weren't.

 

[alphatarget1]

The ECU? Usually ~$1500-2000 on its own.

Nah $200 on rockauto.

 

[tk149]

The dealer charged me $56 for the inspection and $8.40 in Shop Supplies/Environmental Fees plus taxes for $67.69.

Here's the estimate:
Module, Airbag Control
Console, Center
Console, Center
Plate, Front Sill LT
Plate Front Sill LT
Plate Front Sill RT
Plate Front Sill RT
Plate, Rear Sill LT
Plate, Rear Sill RT
Pnl, Center Plr Trim LT
Pnl, Center Plr Trim RT
Seat Assy, Front Lower LT
Seat Assy, Front Lower RT
Cusion, Rear Seat
Pnl, inner Qtr Trim LT
Pnl, inner Qtr Trim RT
Engine ECU
Interior Carpet

Gross Parts $3,105.79
(I left out labor details)
Labor $664.40

(I left out the taxes)
Net Total $3,962.47

I must say that I have not been happy with my insurer State Farm so far.
I called them the morning after the flood and they said they would call me back with instructions. At about noon, I ended up calling them again while I was at the carwash getting the water vacuumed out, and left a message.

Then I drove to a Toyota dealer, and while there, talked to my agent who said that it was ok to get an estimate from the dealer. He said that the claim handler would call me.

Yesterday, I called the claim handler and told them that my car was at the dealer's and I was getting an estimate. The claim handler said that they would send someone else out to look at the car.

Well, if they were going to send someone out anyway, why the heck did I just spend $67.69 at the dealer? Not to mention paying to vacuum the car out.

EDIT: It could just be me, but it seems that the engine doesn't quite sound as smooth as before.

 

[Pacfanweb]

First off, I fully understand how door drains work. I agree with everything you've posted, except this 'everything will be fine' mentality about flooded cars.

When I say "some cars have door drains" I'm talking about a drain at the very bottom of the door - which many do not have. They have vents that keep everything dry; but again - not specifically designed to drain flood water out of the door.. They're designed to let the humidity and small amount of water evaporate from rain etc.


Perhaps because it's all online we're not relaying the right info between one another, either way - my 'beef' has nothing to do with whether or not the drains are there.. It has to do with people insinuating that you can just leave the doors open, vacuum out some water, and voila you'll have no more issues with a flooded car.

May just be some miscommunication going on.....but I am also talking about drains in the very bottom of the door, and ALL cars have them. Not some. All.

Now, I agree, you can't just leave the doors open and vacuum out the water and all is well....I've stated that a couple of times. There is water UNDER the carpet, and it was just about NEVER come out if the carpet isn't pulled up and dried.

Since the dealership is recommending an ECM, I'd be interested in knowing where his is located. If water got up high enough to reach things under the dash, you are going to have a REAL problem in the future.

What I'm talking about that "will be fine" is the components inside the door. Nothing to worry about. Inside the car itself, different story. That depends on where electrical components are located and how high the water in the car got. If it was 2-3" max the whole time, I don't see how anything under the dash is at risk....only thing you have to worry about then is components that might be mounted under the carpet.