A week after Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) slammed into Metro Manila, causing a record amount of rain to fall; people are still picking up the pieces. Some people lost everything and sadly, some people are ready to earn a quick buck. These unscrupulous people will readily victimize those who have already been displaced by floods and have limited funds. Their scam involves selling them flood-damaged vehicles, deemed irreparable or unsalvageable by the insurance companies.
It’s wrong to think that drying out a flood-damaged car would be enough to make it roadworthy. These vehicles are unsafe to drive, and not to mention, hazardous to your health. For one, modern cars contain stuff like seatbelts, airbags and other electronic systems which can be severely damaged by being water logged. In addition, ecoli, mold and corrosion can make it unhealthy to breathe and touch, especially children and the elderly. Equally wrong is the notion that flood-damaged vehicles would immediately be sent to the scrap heap. In fact, since “comprehensive insurance” policies rarely cover Acts of God events like floods, owners of totaled cars may try to sell these vehicles in attempt to recoup some of their losses. Sometimes, the towing companies tasked to clean-up the city, may sell these flood-damaged vehicles at a dirt-cheap price especially if their lots are getting overfilled.
Detecting a Flood-Damaged Car
Some car owners who don’t have the appropriate insurance coverage may try to sell their flood-damaged car to shady car dealerships, scam artists or sell it themselves after “cleaning the cars up” to look and smell new. Some will go as far as to give the car a fresh coat of paint, replace the carpeting, reupholster the seats and detail the interior to mask the stagnant water odor. Though spotless and shiny as they are, these are actually mechanical nightmares that aren’t worth your hard-earned cash.
Although the selling of flood-damaged cars isn’t preventable (after all, there’s no law against it), you can protect yourself by looking for some telltale signs that a car may have been involved in a flood:
* Mildew, debris and silt in places where it normally wouldn’t be found such as under the carpeting in the passenger compartment and trunk, or around the engine compartment.
* Abnormal rust and corrosion on screws and other metal parts such as door hinges, hood springs, under dash brackets and trunk latches, especially for newer cars.
* Waterstained or faded upholstery as well as discoloration of seat belts and door panel inserts.
* Mismatched or new upholstery, especially if the car’s relatively new. Be wary of the reasons for giving the car an “all-new interior”.
* Dampness and the on the carpeting and moisture on the inside of the instrument panel and interior lighting equipment such as overhead map lamps and the like.
* A moldy or musty smell or even an intense smell of deodorizer being used to cover up an odor problem.
* Moisture or water forming inside the exterior lighting such as headlamps or tail lamps.
* Water stains on the air filter or inside the air filter compartment.
Besides these visual signs, it’s also a good idea to bring a friend who’s knowledgeable to look over the car, or perhaps bring an expert mechanic to look over the car from hood to trunk. As the mechanic to check the car’s:
* Electric systems including the ECU (computer box) and wiring.
* Transmission.
* Anti-lock braking system.
* Airbags.
Having these thing checked will not only help you detect if the car you’re driving was indeed in a flood, but will also let you know if the car’s actually safe to drive.
Then, to erase your doubts, take a quick drive. This should quickly answer your concerns whether a car’s been flood damaged or not. Test all the electrical systems such as air conditioning and the radio. Make sure that no water or moisture seeps from any of the vents or openings.
Lastly, be frank and ask the seller if the car’s been damaged in a flood. This advice sounds simple, but answers like “not to the best of my knowledge” or “the previous owner didn’t tell me of any flood damage” are red flags. This is especially true if the car you’re buying is well below the market value of that particular model. If you’re still interested in the car, get the statement and condition of the car in writing in the deed of sale.
Getting a Flood-Damaged Vehicle Going
Before proceeding, it’s important to note that flood-damaged vehicles can never be returned to their pre-flood condition due to hidden damage. Some of the problems may surface at a future time, but at least this checklist may get you going until you decide to dispose of your flood-damaged vehicle (hopefully not unscrupulously).
Before wiping the dashboard and drying the seats, assess the overall damage to your car before attempting any sort of repair. If the damage is going to be worth more than the total value of the vehicle, it’s actually better not to proceed further.
If you think that the damage dealt to the car isn’t great, inspect the air intake and filter first before starting the car. Think of it as trying to see if a person’s nasal passages are blocked or not before attempting CPR. If the air intake is flooded or the air filter is wet, you shouldn’t drive it. Instead, better have the car towed to an engine repair shop. It’s a common misconception to think that the exhaust is the most susceptible part of the car, it’s not. It’s the engine’s air intake system.
Equally susceptible to damage is a car’s computer box or ECU. For modern cars, this is the brain, acting to control all the vital car functions. Some cars have their computer box located inside the passenger compartment; some will have inside the engine bay. In any case, a soaked or damaged ECU may prevent a car from getting started as well. If this happens, have the car towed to the shop.
Before starting up the car, carefully inspect all the fluids such as the engine oil and transmission fluid. Pay careful attention to the engine oil dipstick. If the oil level is higher than the last time you checked or if water bubbles are found on the dipstick, water may have made it into the engine. If the red automatic transmission fluid (ATF) turns pink, water has seeped there too. Check all the relays and sensors too. Pull the spark plugs and crank the engine, this is to turn over the engine and get water out of the cylinders. Check the spark plugs for arcing. Oil the spark plug treads and cylinders as well. If there’s any sign of water damage here, don’t make an attempt to start the car.
Whether water has mixed with the car’s fluids or not, it’s best practice to have them drained and replaced. Don’t forget to check the brake lines too and replace the brake fluid.
Once you get home, it’s time to give the car a clean over. First up, pull the passenger floor and trunk rubber plugs. Carefully wash off the accumulated water and mud. If the carpet and other upholstery items are wet, give them a good scrubbing too and let them dry. After which, you’ll have to lubricate things such as door and trunk hinges, seat tracks and seat belt retractors.
After all the cleaning’s been done, it’s time go through the car’s vital parts to make sure that they’re free from debris or dirt, thus hopefully preventing a breakdown:
* Clean and grease the battery terminals and replace the battery. A battery can leak toxic chemicals if they have been compromised in any way, so use a new one if possible.
* Blow out the starter motor with air and wash debris off the radiator, air conditioning condenser and auxiliary fan and motor assembly.
* Grease the steering system, suspension and wheel bearings.
* Reconnect the ECU and reset the system. If you have a diagnostic tool, do a scan of the car for any sensor that may be faulty such as the O2 sensor.
It Must Be Remembered
Whatever happens, whether you’re the victim of the recent floods or trying to buy the “deal of the century”, never ever leave buying a car to chance. If your car’s been through a flood recently, it’s actually best to change or trade your vehicle for a brand new one for the sake of safety and convenience. However, make sure to remain honest when trying to sell your old ride. There are people out there who’re in need of mobility not headaches. If you’re buying a used car, buying a flood-damaged vehicle will cost you more money in the long run. It could also bring you serious accident or even death. If you suspect someone selling you a flood-damaged vehicle, no matter how the people or dealership looks reputable, walk away. The money you saved in buying a flood-damaged vehicle pales in comparison to the headache it will bring.
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