What to Do When a Car Gets Flooded?
3 Answers
Push the car to a higher ground area without water accumulation, remove all items from the cabin, and then inspect components such as wiring and the computer for any short circuits or burnouts. Call the insurance company and have the car towed to a repair shop to assess the flooding damage. Vehicle flooding can be categorized into two scenarios: 1. Flooding while driving: Water can enter the engine through two main pathways: first, due to the low position of the engine air intake, water can be sucked into the engine during wading; second, if the exhaust pipe outlet is below the water level, water can be drawn into the engine through the exhaust pipe during wading. It's easy to understand how water enters through the air intake—when the engine "releases throttle," the sudden drop in RPM creates a momentary negative pressure in the exhaust pipe. The strong atmospheric pressure then forces water into the exhaust pipe, as if the exhaust pipe is sucking in the water. 2. Flooding while parked: If the car is parked in a low-lying area with poor drainage, it may get flooded during heavy rain. After flooding, external water can enter the cabin through gaps like door seams and the external air circulation channels of the air conditioning system. This usually results in the carpet below the seats being completely soaked. If the external water level is high, the battery and some electrical components may also be damaged by water. For vehicles severely flooded while parked, repair shops typically remove all items from the cabin, inspect wiring and computer components for short circuits or burnouts, and replace damaged parts if necessary. As for the soaked carpets and interior trim, they can be cleaned and dried.
Last week, my car was parked by the roadside when a heavy rainstorm hit, and the whole body got flooded. I was so anxious that I immediately turned off the engine and got out to check. Never start the engine again, or it could lead to cylinder seizure and total failure. First, disconnect the battery terminals to prevent short circuits, then use towels and a vacuum cleaner to dry the seats and carpets. Remember to leave the windows open for a whole day to let the moisture dissipate. If water has entered the engine or circuit boards, you’ll have to call a tow truck and send it to the repair shop. Afterward, I bought some desiccants to prevent mold in the car and made it a habit to check the door seals to ensure they don’t loosen and let rainwater seep in. This was quite a scare—if left untreated, the interior could mold, making it harder to deal with and costing a fortune to replace parts.
I think the most troublesome issues after a car gets flooded are the subsequent odor and electrical problems. That time when my car was flooded, I first pushed it to a dry area, disconnected the power, and removed the battery terminals to avoid electric leakage and potential injuries. Then, I used a hairdryer to dry out the interior, especially under the floor mats where water tends to accumulate. For prevention, remember not to park in low-lying areas of parking garages during rainy days, and installing waterproof door seals can be very effective. Also, after regular car washes, check if the windows are tightly closed—these small things can reduce risks. After getting it repaired, I drove it for two months and even replaced the cabin air filter to prevent odors.
