Has you car recently been in a flood and are unsure what to do? There are some things you should know first, one of those things are the mechanical faults you should be aware of first before trying to do anything with your car, so you know what to look out for.
Some of the mechanical faults that’s caused by flooding are:
- Hydrolock – this is the worst-case scenario for your car when there has been flooding. This usually happens when water has got into the air intake and has been sucked into the engine, this is where it damages the pistons and combustion cycle. Do NOT attempt to start your car if you believe that water has got into the engine or still could.
- Mechanical problems with moving parts – water can cause problems for many different moving parts of your car, ranging from the brake and clutch assemblies to the starter. It is highly recommended to get your car checked over by a professional after there has been flooding to make sure that everything is safe and looked over thoroughly so that you and your car are safe.
- Rusting – rust is one of the most obvious effect to look out for when your car has been involved with a flooding due to heavy rain, this is because it can affect the undercarriage, metalwork, the bonnet and even in the boot. Make sure that you check all of the metal surfaces after a flood so you can even catch it early, always make sure that you also take steps to dry your car as thoroughly as you can whenever similar situations also happen.
- Electrical problems – electrical problems can easily occur in the cabin if water has got in after a downpour. There are many common fault when this happens, such as radio, wiring, electric windows and dashboard. Make sure you do NOT fiddle with any of the electrics until you are confident that is has dried, you will risk your safety if you try otherwise.
Those are the main things you should look out for. There are other methods you can try with your car when it comes to helping cleaning the inside, if you don’t know them already, such as:
- Do NOT try to start your car again – if water has got into the engine, fuel or transmission, then it will only make the current situation worse. As said before, water can destroy internal engine parts and cause hydrolock, when the pistons fail to move and compress as they should. You will be looking at many repair bills or even possibly start looking at a new car if hydrolock does occur when trying to start your car…. I’m sure nobody wants that.
- Get air into the car – this is very essential so that your car can dry out. Letting your car dry out will also prevent mold, bad odours and mildew. You must make sure that your car is parked somewhere that is covered, open all of the windows, even use an electric fan to get the air moving around in the car and try pointing it at the affected area.
- Start removing water – there is less chance of damage being caused and water getting into mechanical components where it can cause even more damage, if there is less time that any water is left to stand in your car. if you inspect your car and there are even puddles in there, then you will need to use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to help get rid of them. It is recommended to NOT use a normal vacuum cleaner because you will risk getting an electric shock, must still think about your safety.
What do I do when my car has been in a flood?
