How to save a flooded car?

The hatch does not close completely during rain, drainage leaks, heavy rainfall, flooding, or going too abruptly through a deep puddle. All of these factors can lead to serious flooding of the vehicle. If the machine has been in the water for a long time, repairing the breakdown can be difficult and unprofitable. When the flood was minor and your reaction was quick and correct, it could probably have been saved. Check how!

What will you learn from this post?

• How to save a flooded car?
• What are the consequences of a car flooding?
• What needs to be replaced after filling the car?

Shortly speaking

Flooding is not the only situation in which a car can flood. Water can enter the car in many different ways, causing a lot of chaos. Drying, cleaning and care are the main stages of saving a car. It may also be necessary to replace damaged components, as well as all filters and fluids.

Beware of Dishonest Sellers!

In recent years, the car sales market has shown an upward trend shortly after floods or heavy rainfalls. This is happening both in Poland and in Western European countries. Advertising portals are bursting at the seams, and people who want to buy a car rub their hands when they see a model that is usually hard to find in (seemingly) perfect condition and at a good price - most often imported from Germany, the Czech Republic or Italy. In the article "Car after the flood - an opportunity or a costly trap?" we have described how to know if a vehicle is flooded and what the consequences might be.

First aid for car flooding

A car that has had prolonged (or short-term, but intense) contact with water is primarily exposed to corrosion, moisture in the cabin and failure of all electronic devices... A quick response can effectively minimize the negative effects of flooding the vehicle. Check where you should start.

Dry the cab and trunk

Water in the passenger compartment or trunk of a car creates dangerous dampness, which over time leads to rotting of the upholstery, side panels, floor and ceiling. In case of severe flooding, there is also the risk of harmful mold formation, which is difficult to remove. The first thing you should do is dry the interior of your car thoroughly. May be salvation silicone cat litter, lots of newspapers and car moisture absorbers... There are also special devices on the market that deal much better with the large amount of water stored in tissues. If flooding occurs due to clogged drain channels or a leak in the air conditioning system, be sure to correct the problem before proceeding.

In the event of a flood, the biggest problem is not the water itself, but what floats in it, such as sand, leaves and other debris, accelerating the growth of harmful bacteria and causing unpleasant odors. Dry the cabin thoroughly after it is dry. vacuum and rinse with a special product for car upholstery. If cleaning does not work and the musty odor is still visible, replace carpets, seats and all fabric upholstery.

Get ready for numerous exchanges

A mandatory step in rescuing a flooded car is a thorough cleaning and maintenance of all sheet metal elements. Water is the fastest way to rust, so don't let it build up in hard to reach places and slowly but gradually damage your car. After the flood, be prepared for replacement of filters, working fluids and lampsand in the worst case also a gasoline catalyst or particulate filter. Brake discs and pads, bearings and shock absorbers can also be in poor condition.

In a situation where a modern car with many electronic devices has been flooded, it will be much more difficult to restore it and, worst of all, much more expensive. Tiring drying is sure to come cleaning all electrical contactsbecause moisture leads to short circuits and corrosion of cables with subsequent costly breakdowns. Side airbag sensors, electronic radar heads and factory parking sensors are bound to be damaged. You may also have a problem with central locking, radio, cruise control, air conditioning, fuel injection and power steering.

Most breakdowns happen over time!

If you do not feel strong enough to save the car yourself after a flood, you can entrust it to a professional workshop. However, don't rely on any mechanic to give you a XNUMX% guarantee of the overall performance of the vehicle. The effects of a flood can manifest itself even after a few weeks.Therefore, after drying and cleaning all elements, carefully observe the car for stains and minor faults that suggest the presence of moisture.

Do you have any doubts that this or that element of the car is working properly? Don't risk it - replace it with a new one. You can find the necessary spare parts in the online store avtotachki.com.

Also check:

Why do car windows fog up?

Three methods of fumigation of the air conditioner - do it yourself!

Do you know how dangerous puddles can be for a car?

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