What problems might occur after a flooded car is repaired?
4 Answers
Interior moisture can easily lead to mold and odors; wiring harnesses and computers are prone to corrosion, which may cause malfunctions later. Here is relevant information: Severity: The severity of a flooded car depends on the height of water submersion and whether the vehicle was started in water. Below the seats: If the water only reached below the seats, this height does not affect the vehicle's air intake, fuse box, or dashboard. After thorough cleaning, the impact on the vehicle is relatively minor. Cleaning: During cleaning, it is necessary to replace the transmission fluid, engine oil, and brake fluid, as well as clean and maintain the vehicle's brake system, exhaust pipe, and catalytic converter to further reduce the impact of flooding on the vehicle's subsequent use.
After being repaired, a water-damaged car often has many issues. My car was flooded last year, and although it was sent for repairs, I always felt something was off while driving afterward. Upon opening the hood for inspection, the technician said the cylinder block was corroded inside because water had leaked into the engine oil, causing rust and pitting on metal components. The acceleration became particularly jerky, and fuel consumption increased compared to before. Even more annoying was the rust on the chassis components, with the suspension shock absorbers leaking oil severely. The car bounced excessively on bumpy roads and felt unstable when cornering. The air conditioning system blew out air with a musty smell—apparently, water had entered the ducts and wasn’t properly disinfected, leading to mold growth that triggered allergies. The transmission was also affected, as water mixed with the gear oil, causing emulsification and accelerated wear, resulting in slipping and jerky gear shifts. During repairs, the surface might seem fine, but residual water in tiny internal gaps causes many hidden problems, leading to long-term risks. Frequent returns for repairs are needed, making it both costly and troublesome.
I've repaired quite a few flood-damaged vehicles, and the main issues always lie in the electrical wiring. Water immersion damages wire harness connectors and electronic control units, and if not thoroughly addressed, it leads to short circuits. There was one car I worked on where we initially replaced the headlights and rain sensor, but weeks later the power windows mysteriously stopped working. Upon inspection, it turned out to be corrosion in the wiring harness causing poor contact. Rusty ABS system sensors can affect braking performance, creating dangerous situations when driving at high speeds. Water-damaged airbag modules become unreliable, and their failure to deploy in an accident would be catastrophic. When the engine's ECU gets damaged, the check engine light stays on constantly, while also negatively impacting fuel consumption and emissions. My advice is to completely disassemble, clean, and dry all wiring after flood damage. Otherwise, problems will keep recurring, with minor faults frequently appearing and being difficult to eliminate completely.
After a car gets flooded and repaired, the interior issues are the most annoying. My old car had water inside, with the carpets and seats staying damp and not drying properly, which later led to mold spots and a strange smell. When I turned on the AC, the musty smell was so strong it made my family sneeze nonstop, and the doctor said it was due to mold allergies. The sponge padding under the dashboard got wet and emitted a foul odor—daily air fresheners didn’t help. Even worse, the door panel seals warped, causing drafts and trapping dust, which would scatter when opening the doors and was impossible to clean thoroughly, affecting comfort. I recommend a thorough interior cleaning during repairs to avoid serious health risks.
