What to Do When Water Gets Inside the Car?
2 Answers
When water gets inside the car after rain, promptly dry the electrical components of the vehicle. If possible, use a fan to dry the interior to prevent short circuits in the wiring. Regularly check if the drainage in the waterproof channel at the front windshield is clear to avoid water accumulation during rainy days, which could lead to water entering the engine. Here are methods to identify flood-damaged and accident-damaged cars: 1. Check the car locks: Look for signs of forced entry, damage, or traces of glue injection. Then, use the key to open each door to see if the locks are from the same set and if each door lock turns easily. Note that if turning is very difficult or the key almost breaks before the door opens, it might be due to flood damage causing the central locking motor to rust and malfunction. 2. Engine compartment: Inspect the engine compartment for broken or loose brackets of lighting and signal lamp groups. Check the wire connectors and sockets. If there is a large amount of mud or rust spots inside, it may indicate a flood-damaged car. 3. Engine compartment inspection: Examine the wires and vacuum tubes on the engine body, and look for mud traces in the gaps between the high-voltage ignition coils and spark plugs. Assess whether the aging and cracking of tubes and wires match the car's age and check the fixation of fuel injectors. Rust on springs can also help determine the likelihood of the car being flood-damaged.
Getting rainwater in the car is really troublesome. I usually find a place to park first, then use clean towels or sponges to absorb as much visible water as possible, especially in hidden areas like under the carpets and in the gaps between seats, to prevent water from seeping deeper. Then, I immediately open all doors and windows to ventilate the car. If the weather is sunny, I park it in direct sunlight to naturally dry the interior and speed up evaporation. I also use an electric fan to blow air over the floor to enhance the drying effect. Don’t forget to check the source of the water ingress, such as aging sunroof seals, cracked door/window gaps, or clogged drainage holes. If I find any issues, I might buy sealant to fix it myself or send it to a repair shop for a thorough solution. Additionally, waterlogged electronic systems, like those near the dashboard, can easily short-circuit and cause malfunctions. For safety, after completing the drying process, I start the vehicle to test if the lights, audio, and other functions are working properly. In daily maintenance, I regularly clean the sunroof channels to keep them clear and prevent leaks.
