What are the problems after a vehicle is flooded?
2 Answers
Problems that may occur after a vehicle is flooded include: 1. Mold and corrosion may appear on the inner door panels, air conditioning ducts, crankcase, and vent holes of the differential; 2. Stubborn stains that are difficult to clean may form on the seats and roof fabric; 3. Rust and corrosion may appear on the four-wheel bearings and the grease of the half-shafts after soaking; 4. Malfunctions may occur in electronic devices such as the electronic parking system, audio system, and various sensors after being soaked; 5. Forcing the engine to start after water enters the intake tract may cause the connecting rods to bend or break; 6. Prolonged submersion may result in the vehicle being scrapped.
Last time my car was flooded up to the tire level, and later I found electrical issues everywhere. The central control screen flickered on and off, and the power windows became sluggish. The mechanic said water-soaked wiring harnesses are like rusty wires—they may look fine on the outside, but the oxidized copper inside increases resistance. The worst part was the ABS sensor being damaged by water, causing the brakes to skid in rainy conditions. Oh, and the soundproofing foam under the carpet absorbed dirty water and took three months to dry completely—turning on the AC released a fishpond-like odor. Even after repairs, you’ll need to watch the dashboard warning lights, as electronic components may fail anytime. The best advice is to replace the entire wiring harness after water damage; otherwise, patch-up repairs will cost more in the long run.
