Is it harmful for a vehicle to be statically submerged in water?
2 Answers
It can cause corrosive damage to the fixed bolts at the bottom of the vehicle cabin used for connecting external attachments, leading to weakened tensile fastening capability, and in severe cases, detachment may occur. Below are methods to identify a water-damaged vehicle: 1. Smell the interior odor: Check if there is a musty smell inside the car. The floor mats, trunk mats, and areas under the seats in a water-damaged vehicle often have a musty odor, which is difficult to remove and usually leaves evidence. Be cautious if you detect a musty smell, and also be wary if the interior smells overly fragrant, as this might be an attempt to mask the musty odor. 2. Inspect hidden parts of the vehicle: Look for signs of rust or replacement on the screws in hidden areas; pull out the seats to check for rust or sand in the sliding tracks; pull the seat belts all the way out to see if there are water stains or dirt at the ends.
A while ago, my hometown was hit by a severe flood, and several cars in the neighborhood were submerged, which really broke my heart. If a car gets waterlogged, it's no small matter. If the water rises above the chassis, the transmission fluid and differential fluid will all get mixed with water, and the sealing gaskets will be ruined immediately. The computer boards under the seats will short-circuit as soon as they encounter water, and repairing them requires stripping out all the interior. The most critical part is the engine—if water enters the intake and you start it recklessly, even the connecting rods can bend. Even if the water only reaches the tires, don’t take it lightly. The brake fluid lines can get mixed with moisture, affecting braking performance, and corroded electrical connectors often lead to malfunctioning power windows.
