Will the car be damaged if it gets flooded in the rain?
2 Answers
If the engine is submerged, you should not drive the car. Starting the vehicle could cause water to enter the engine cylinders, leading to severe issues like cylinder scoring. Here are the steps to take if your car is flooded: 1. Notify your insurance company: Request an on-site inspection by an insurance agent or a third party. You can ask the insurer, owner, or policyholder to take photos of the flooded scene with a camera or phone as evidence. 2. Disconnect the car battery: Remove the negative terminal to prevent accidental startup during towing, which could worsen the damage. 3. Call a tow truck: Have the vehicle towed to a repair shop. Also, remind the repair shop staff not to attempt starting the car to diagnose issues during inspection.
My neighbor's SUV got flooded up to half of its wheels in heavy rain last week. At the time, he didn’t take it seriously, but the next day when he tried to start it, the engine made terrible cracking noises and wouldn’t run at all. After towing it to the repair shop, they found water had seeped into the exhaust pipe and air filter, causing the engine to take in water, which required disassembly and cleaning. They also discovered that the carpet underneath was soaked with filthy water, moldy and stinking. It cost over 3,000 yuan to replace the interior and dry out the system. The mechanic said that if floodwater reaches the door seams, there could be hidden risks. The key is to shut off the engine in time and avoid forcing the vehicle to move, otherwise hydraulic lock-up could damage the engine even worse. He advised contacting a tow truck immediately after flooding and getting a full inspection at a professional shop, including checking whether the seat foam has absorbed water and grown bacteria. Parking in elevated spots during the rainy season can save a lot of trouble.
