So I ran into 2-3 feet of water last time we had floods about a month back. They're replacing the engine on my RX8. The carpet got soaked (3 inches of water) and is being replaced. I repeated asked the mechanic if there was anything else wrong with the car and he said the engine and carpet were it and everything else checked out okay.

Has anyone here lived with a water damaged car (and fixed)? I'm scared...

 

why thehell are they replacing the engine for ingesting water?

 

take the plugs out and spin the engine a bit and it should be ok. unless they let it sit for so long that the apex seals got stuck and then if they put some oil or wd40 or some other lube in there and crank it a bit it should unstick.

 

I imagine if water got in the oil system and sat that the bearings could have been ruined. 3 feet is enough to go over the top of the dipstick, I think.

Eventually you may find that some of the electronics go bad, and you will want to make sure you flush out the doors and other body panels with clean water to make sure the drains are unplugged. Flood water has a lot of silt in it, which can clog the drain passages and cause rust.

They should also change all the lubricants and fluids, especially the brake and clutch fluid.

 

I don't know. why they decided to change the engine. It the insurance company's decision. I remember someone at the dealership telling me that if there's water in the dipstick, the insurance company doesn't bother with trying to fix the engine. They just get a new engine.

 

hydrolocking a piston engine will crack it wide open. rods out the crankcase and all.. it's not to bad on a rotary. you really have to suck in a lot of water to fsk them up real bad. a small amount in a piston engine will destroy it.

 

Gr888t, by any chance are you in the NY area, and if you are would it be Queens/long island city area, and if you are would it happen to be a Black RX8? if not then i guess there is more than one idiot that ran into 2 feet of water.

 

Keep in mind the Airbag sensors are on the floor of the car (under the seats for the side ones) and more than likely were underwater for some time. a bad sensor could potentialy activate your airbag with little or no warning.
I thought a flood damaged car was a totaled car even if there was absolutely no bent sheet metal??? (if not, it is still VERY depreciated )

 

Check firewall in hood area for water which may have splashed up inside. Make sure this gets dry ASAP as mold can be a pest - this goes for any car that you take wading. Very fine powdered borax, can help a little, as it is a good mold killer, or copper solutions, but be careful about getting this on wires and electrical devices. UV light very good for killing surface molds and bacteria - sunshine and sunlamps can help!
Watch out for problems with alternators, generators, anything with fine wires - if they get wet they can develop all sorts of odd problems. A hair dryer can be a good friend! They make ones with long nozzles so you can get into the deeper areas. Watch for wet seats - they may seem OK until the mold gets going. Oil everything - door henges, locks, exposed wires, the sooner the better, but be careful not to let any drip on areas that could get hot and cause combustion.
Check and make sure there are no leaves, or other organic material that get caught up inside the car
For electronics - salt water is deadly, fresh water you may have a chance. If it is really wet, try alcohol followed by ether - but beware of heat and flames until the ether has evapored and make sure you don't play with it in an enclosed space as it is very explosive - make sure the device is very dry before you turn it on, replace all batteries.

Please keep up this post as you discover problems,,,