At what water level does flooding affect a car?
3 Answers
Generally, it's fine if the water doesn't exceed the chassis. Here's some information about the car chassis: Definition: The car chassis consists of four parts: the transmission system, running system, steering system, and braking system. The chassis functions to support and install the car engine and its various components and assemblies, forming the overall shape of the car. It also receives the engine's power to make the car move and ensure normal driving. Function: The power generated by the car engine is transmitted to the driving wheels through the transmission system. The transmission system has functions such as deceleration, speed change, reversing, power interruption, inter-wheel differential, and inter-axle differential. Working in coordination with the engine, it ensures the car's normal operation under various working conditions, providing good power performance and fuel economy.
My previous car had experienced flooding, and the water level directly affected the extent of the damage. If the water just reached the lower edge of the tires, the problem wasn't too severe—mainly rusting of the chassis and exhaust system. If the water rose to the center of the wheels, the door seals might leak, soaking the carpets, and the wiring connectors under the car could short-circuit due to moisture. The worst scenario was when the water exceeded the midpoint of the tires—water pressure could force its way through door gaps into the cabin, endangering control modules and sensors under the seats. If the water submerged the engine hood, the intake sucking in water would immediately ruin the engine, and water mixing with transmission fluid could cause gear rusting. Even after repairs, such a car would become a ticking time bomb, prone to rust and electrical leaks everywhere.
To assess flood damage, focus on three critical water levels: Halfway up the tires is the warning line - at this point, the electronic parking brake module and chassis wiring are doomed. The most catastrophic scenario is when water reaches the mid-section of the exhaust pipe. When parked, water can backflow into the engine through the exhaust, with repair costs potentially reaching half the car's value. If the dashboard gets submerged, it's even worse - the steering control unit may malfunction erratically after water exposure, and failed ABS sensors could cause complete brake failure. Such vehicles often develop electrical gremlins later, with reported cases like sunroofs opening/closing spontaneously. Never consider cars with flooded engine bays - even veteran mechanics dread dealing with them.
