Beware buying flood-damaged car

Heavy rain, flooding and standing water may mean difficult and expensive automotive repairs for owners of flood-damaged vehicles, according to AAA Oklahoma. It is also important to know if the used car you are thinking of buying has been damaged by water.

" In addition to the obvious damage done to upholstery and carpeting, flood water is a corrosive and abrasive mixture of water and dirt that forces its way into every seam and crevice of an automobile," said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma.

If the car has been completely or partially submerged, it may be necessary to disassemble all mechanical parts for thorough cleaning and lubrication.

"Most vulnerable are the engine, transmission, steering and braking system," said Mai. "Unless completely removed, dirt and other contaminants can cause premature wear of vital components and shorten the life of the vehicle."

Before attempting to start a flood-damaged car, a qualified technician should:

• Inspect all mechanical components, including the engine, transmission, steering system, axles, brake system and fuel system for water contamination.
• Drain flood water from contaminated mechanical systems and flush with clean water or a solvent, as appropriate.
• Drain and replace all contaminated fluids, such as oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid and anti-freeze.

"The car’s electrical system also is vulnerable to the damaging effects of flood water and water-sensitive components may need to be replaced," Mai said. "Engine computers and other electronic devices can sometimes be salvaged, but corrosion and oxidation can occur several weeks after the components are cleaned."

There are many parts of the car that are difficult to clean and dry because they are virtually inaccessible. Door locks, window regulators, wiring harnesses, heating and air conditioning components and many small devices are tucked away in hidden spaces. These items may fail at a later date because of contamination by dirty water.

"Total restoration of a flood-damaged car can be as extensive and expensive as restoring a classic car," Mai warned.

Car buyers should be aware that flood damaged vehicles can be shipped anywhere for resale and could be in the marketplace for many months. Having a vehicle inspected by a qualified technician and checking its title history will help determine whether it sustained flood damage.

A tell-tale sign of flood damage on new and used cars is the presence of dried mud on components under the hood. A damp or musty odor in the trunk or interior is another warning sign. In older cars, new carpet and upholstery may indicate flood damage.

Flex some of the wires beneath the dash board. Wet wires will become brittle upon drying and may crack.

When considering a used car purchase, a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility can perform a thorough pre-purchase mechanical inspection. The locations of AAA approved repair facilities in Oklahoma can be found at AAA.com/aar .

Use the 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), located on the dashboard, to check out the vehicle’s history using Carfax vehicle history reports, available at AAA.com/carfax . These reports can reveal many hidden problems in a vehicle’s past, including flood titles.