Flood Damaged Vehicle

[FuzzyDunlop]

Im looking around for an engine donor and found a flood damaged 09 highlander. It may have been sitting in water for weeks.
Would you risk the chance of the engine being borked? Or do think it should still be alright? I know thats a hard question to answer, but this is a potential 'good deal' on a 2GR-fe

 

[Jimzz]

If you plan on stripping it down and rebuilding then yea it should be fine. But to buy and drop in, no. To great a chance the cranks is rusted or other parts have issues as well.
It will at min, IMO, need to be stripped down and replace the gaskets, seals, bearings, and piston rings.

 

[nerp]

I wouldn't risk it. I mean, if the engine was partially under water for "weeks" that is pretty discouraging.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

thats what I was thinking. Ill keep looking. Theres just no way to know how much water damage there really is.

 

[Zargon]

thats what I was thinking. Ill keep looking. Theres just no way to know how much water damage there really is.

guessing you werent thinking about a rebuild then eh

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

no, not really hoping to rebuild. It would throw the total cost overboard.
If I can get a totaled Toyota with an undamaged engine bay I am golden.
A 09+ Sienna with the Tow package would be ideal! WOuld have the easiest wiring harness , alternator, gas pedal, ECU combo to work with.

 

[JCH13]

Do I smell 2GR V6 MR2 as your next build?

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Do I smell 2GR V6 MR2 as your next build?

It is a very serious consideration at this point.

All research Ive been doing has shown that it is nearly just as plug-n-play as my MK1.5 would have been... although it would require a fair bit more cutting as the firewalls would need to be "massaged". Also I would need to notch and reinforce the rear subframe to allow the exhaust header to clear. It will be intense, but Im becoming more and more confident.


example of a gently massaged engine bay, lol

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

ehhhhhhhhh, a flood damaged car wouldnt work because the computers and electronics would all be toast.
dumb idea.

we had a disaster flood a few months ago and there are hundreds if not thousands of vehicles being salvaged from the wreckage, so there is lots to pick from if a flood damaged wasnt a concern.

 

[JCH13]

That is what I hear about flood-damaged vehicles: you'll be chasing electrical gremlins until you get rid of the car. The computers are usually okay because they're usually potted in epoxy or something weather proof or are otherwise sealed up, but all the connectors get lots of corrosion and sensors can get messed up.

A 2GR V6 in a MK1 would be pretty wild... I completely condone and encourage this venture!