Flood damaged car

[Hellotalkie]

Hi,

I had my 04 Elantra in for service today (P0340). My mechanic mentioned that it may have been a flood car, as the lower part of the engine block has a good amount of rust. I took a look and sure enough there is! I had to remove the crank shaft sensor, which was a pain due to the amount of rust that has formed in that area.

So is there any other signs of a flood damaged car? The interior is very clean, no unusual rust spots. Title is clean and clear (autocheck said as well). The car drives well and shifts smoothly.

I'm just worried about the amount of rust the lower engine block has, its to a point where I can chip a thick amount off with a flat head.

I also do live in Ohio, salt central, car has a 130xxx, don't know if salt would even be able to do that with that low miles :/

Car has been in Ohio all its life (says the title). One owner. Paid 3200 before tax

Anything I should do preventative? Or just keep driving and hope that the rust doesn't eventually cause a leak. LOL i'm terrible at buying cars, live and learn I suppose.

 

[jlee]

Unfortunately, rust is a fact of life in the rust belt. That's one reason I am no longer there.

The typical concern for flood cars is electronics and mold, not so much rust. As everything works fine and your interior is in good shape (and you have a clear title), I'd hazard a guess that it's not a flood car.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Unfortunately, rust is a fact of life in the rust belt. That's one reason I am no longer there.

The typical concern for flood cars is electronics and mold, not so much rust. As everything works fine and your interior is in good shape (and you have a clear title), I'd hazard a guess that it's not a flood car.

Yup all electrics work. I installed a radio the other day, didn't notice any odd issues behind the panel. It's a little dis concerning with that thick amount of rust at the front end but for the price I paid, can't complain too much

The dealer I bought it from did break the check engine light and airbag light. It's been a pain trying to find the those instrument cluster bulbs at the dealership, supposedly found the right ones.

I'm pretty sure the airbag light is on, don't know if I want to pay the ~93 diagnostics fee from Hyundai.

 

[LTC8K6]

the dealer i bought it from did break the check engine light and airbag light.

danger will robinson!

 

[sontakke]

And he bought a car like that?????

 

[Hellotalkie]

And he bought a car like that?????

It didn't phase me to check to see if the check engine light was on (system check) when I first turned on the car. Car drove really well and still does.

And the airbag light, meh don't really care right now especially what hyundai wants for it.

 

[sontakke]

In most states a dealer who intentionally disables check engine light and ABS light could end up in jail

 

[SpatiallyAware]

In most states a dealer who intentionally disables check engine light and ABS light could end up in jail

This.



I would pull the carpet up and look underneath. The biggest issues with flood damage is that wiring sheaths aren't waterproof. It takes awhile but they end up corroded and green... So when a car gets flooded often times it functions fine but 6+ months later you end up with nearly impossible to troubleshoot issues.

 

[Hellotalkie]

In most states a dealer who intentionally disables check engine light and ABS light could end up in jail

no way I can prove it though. Dealer claimed it wasn't he who did it.

I'm SOL and moved on (2 weeks ago I bought the car)

does autocheck cover this with their buyback protection? Or is that only with title discrepancies?