[satanic_dude]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

...He drove the car there, parked it, had the battery die during the flood, and was towed to the workshop.

He was told that his engine has some damage because it was cranked..

Greenhorn,

Something is amiss here. Maybe the service center mechanic accidentally cranked the water logged engine after correcting the electricals, replacing battery and before replacing the contaminated oil, resulting in a hydro-lock. It is definitely not possible that the engine could be damaged any other way.

If there is someone who could download and read the ECU logs for the past few KMs, there may be a way to ascertain the actual timeline of events, if at all there is a time stamping. Sounds like a long-shot, as I am not sure how much detailed information can be obtained from the ECU, provided that also has not been replaced! But it's worth a try.

Peace.

Regards,
Abhishek

[longhorn]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

He was told that his engine has some damage because it was cranked, and it is not covered by insurance. he subsequently had to pay for the 'engine work' - from his own pocket - apparently the block was taken out, and some work had to be done for 60-70K

Looks like some moron at the service centre tried to start the car. Otherwise it's just a matter of replacing the oil, provided there is no rust inside. The engine will not blow unless someone tried to crank it with the water inside the pistons. I remember my Works manager explicitly saying this, when I asked him why they are taking in cars submerged upto the engine level for repairs, instead of writing it off.

[greenhorn]

Originally Posted by satanic_dude

Greenhorn,

Something is amiss here. Maybe the service center mechanic accidentally cranked the water logged engine

Originally Posted by longhorn

Looks like some moron at the service centre tried to start the car.

That's my guess as well, but the guy says the workshop insists they found the car that way. Right now, it is his word against theirs, so was wondering if this could be proved some way.

If there is someone who could download and read the ECU logs for the past few KMs, there may be a way to ascertain the actual timeline of events, if at all there is a time stamping. Sounds like a long-shot, as I am not sure how much detailed information can be obtained from the ECU, provided that also has not been replaced! But it's worth a try.

Would this be possible for a ford figo, esp with a dead battery? Is the memory which keeps the logs volatile - hoping someone here can answer these questions

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

Would this be possible for a ford figo, esp with a dead battery? Is the memory which keeps the logs volatile - hoping someone here can answer these questions

Nope. Perhaps take an OBD scanner and check if any permanent DTC is stored. Apart from that there are no such logs. Even if you find it, sicne the job is already done, it will be difficult to quarrel with the garage. If he has been able to convince your friend to go in for an engine overhaul, then he will definitely be able to convince that he is not at fault. Permanent DTCs will not be cleared even if the battery is removed. Not sure about how it is in a Ford, but usually if an engine has seized due to hydrolock, the Crankshaft and Camshaft position sensors will throw up errors at least. It should be stored as a permanent DTC with a time stamp and a dump of all the other data related to the state of the car during the occurrence of the error. Only the temporary ones will clear out when the battery is removed.

[Thad E Ginathom]

if an engine has seized due to hydrolock

What actually happens inside a wet-inside engine if someone tries to start it?

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

What actually happens inside a wet-inside engine if someone tries to start it?

Since water is not compressible, the engine fights a losing battle against water, tries to compress it, fails and the weakest part in the link will bear the brunt. Say, a bent connecting rod, broken or bent valves(sometimes) or even a broken crankshaft, if the con-rod is strong enough to transfer the force to the crankshaft. But water inside an engine isnt a good thing at all.

[satanic_dude]

Dear All,

This is how the car came out from Maruti Service Masters, Guindy, Madras. A truly fantastic job. More than the refreshed look, the car performs very well mechanically. The paint still looks new, only because I do not wipe the car at all, except to clear bird droppings and tree sap. Else, it is thoroughly cleaned very rarely, that too to remove excess muck and dirt, and is fully washed, polished and wiped only during periodic services and other intermediate water washes at MASS.

Note : You can still see the flood water marks on the building in the background. The water had risen to 5 feet from the ground level. The car was submerged up to half the windshield level on Dec 2-3. However in this photo, the car itself is parked on a slightly higher platform above ground level, elsewhere in the same building. The original parking space is seen in the second photo, occupied by my Red F8D Alto.

We just completed a ~1900 KM 8-day round trip From Madras - Kanchipuram - Tirupati - Yelagiri - Tumkur - Hassan (Hoysala Temples) - Srirangapatna -Mysore. The trip mileage was ~19, for ~100 litres of petrol consumed, all tank-fulls. The car performed fantastically, without any electrical or mechanical issues whatsoever. The best mileage was on the night drive from Hosur (Reliance) - Madras (IOCL). 300 KM between tank-fulls - 23.24 KM/L. Cheers to Maruti and MSM!

Back to winning ways! Kitna Deti Hai? Let's go!

Peace,

Regards,
Abhishek.

[compenn]

Hello guys,

My honda city was flooded while parked outside my residence on on Aug 31st. Water had filled inside 3 inches upto carpet and mats.

I took it to honda asc the next day and left the car there because airbag light was constantly ON(it still is). Honda asc has advised only to change srs module which is under gear lever for which I filed insurance claim on 5 sep. Until claim is approved I got my car home today but car runs pretty heavy as if it still has water inside though its been dried up by vaccum at honda. Why is that?

I went through other similar threads where entire service including oil change etc is recommend. Why did honda asc not recommend the same to me. Please list all that should be done to get car in original condition.

The car has run 21800 kms since purchase date of 1 Aug 2012.

For srs module honda asc is asking Rs 19000. Is this correct estimate?

Car was last serviced at 20071km 2 months ago.

[vigsom]

^^ You could yourself check the quality of engine oil and am sure it will be in great shape.

If Honda hasn't recommended any service it is because they know it isn't necessary.

Do you get a damp kind of odour inside the cabin?
By the way , the kind of water shown in the pic is normal fare on flooded streets/roads these days.So not to worry.

I would recommend that you get the
1.carpets removed, shampooed(anti bacterial foam or equivalent) ,dried
2.floorpan cleaned and dried , and disinfected

Should cost you approx 4k at a good detailer.

The airbag module is the first casualty during flooding.It does cost a lot .

[srinath.s]

Originally Posted by compenn

Hello guys

When you say "heaviness", I presume you're talking about the clutch, because that's a component that can get affected easily in floods of magnitude shown in your pic (basis my experience of looking for a used car after last December's floods in chennai, and more often than not, a heavy clutch was a dead giveaway of a flooded car) . Please get the clutch and gear oil checked. Also check the rear drums, where water seepage might lead to a jam, which can contribute to a heavy feeling when in motion.

[compenn]

Clutch is fine but car feels like its carrying a CNG cylinder, means weight not only in boot but overall. Though I do not have cng installed and car runs on petrol only. Does suspension needs to be checked?

[aveemashfaq]

Let me give an opinion from my side too. I bought and restored a flood damaged Hyundai Getz. With that knowledge in mind, here are my observations.

If your car lacks acceleration and feels as if it is weighed down, it is not the fault of suspension but the fault in power transmission. A simple diagnosis you can do is to jack your car up and turn the wheel. It should spin freely for two three rotations (atleast). If not, there might be two reasons. One is the wheel bearing. It is the most likely reason. Wheel bearings need grease in order for them to function smoothly. Grease might have got washed away in the water. Wheel bearing is not that expensive and hence get it replaced. The second reason might be the brakes. The brake drums should be opened to inspect for mud deposits. It is not pure water that flooded the car and hence the mud in the water might clog up between the brake drums and the brake shoe. It might create a resistance. Did you get your car pressure washed at least once after the flood. Pressure washing will clean off the deposits and not having done that will only create problems due to the lodged mud. Third point of inspection is the clutch. Clutch usually softens down and gets damaged in the flood water. I had a clutch that got stuck onto the pressure plate and was not releasing. After keeping the car in idle for many hours, it loosened up but the grip on the clutch (read: clutch was not engaging properly and even with high revvs on the engine, the speed of the car was very little) was not so good. Hence, I got my clutch replaced. Then of course, the transmission fluid and the engine oil needs inspection.

Bearing that in mind, I am guessing the point of failure for you is the wheel bearing. Change the wheel bearings if possible. They are not that expensive but it might be the culprit. You don't need to get the brakes inspected. Just get the car pressure washed. And the engine oil, transmission fluid will all be fine. Any ASC will definitely check for them and if they did not report it, then it must be fine.

If your car is wallowy, i.e. excessive vertical movement like a Volvo bus, then your suspension is giving up. You will also notice a dive of nose under braking. If you see those factors, get your suspension changed.

[hardilip]

Hello Everyone,

My friends car (Honda City SV Diesel 2014 Model) has submerged in rain water on 13th October 2017 (yes!! 13th the Friday). Water went in and covered at the level of steering wheel. He has a Honda Assure Insurance with addon as zero dep and engine protection. His IDV is 5.81L and car is approximately 3.5 years old with ODO 48750.

He had towed the vehicle to the Honda ASC in flat bed overnight on the same day and He hasn't cranked the engine.

The service advisor has informed him on the procedure and also told him that if engine is not cranked risk is much lowered.

My friend is confused now and needs some advice.

1) Assuming that Engine and Gearbox are safe, if insurance approves the estimate given by the ASC and he gets the car back what would be reliability of the car? Can it be treated as before from reliability perspective? The reason for asking this question are,

a) The entire car will be re-assembled at the ASC now (including SRS module)

b) Water has stayed on floor for atleast 30 hours before its cleaned (might be not dried completely) risk of rusting / structural deformation etc?

c) Will there be any niggles going forward which will make him to run to garage frequently

2) Should he force for total loss? (At the moment he wanted the car back with him and not thinking about total loss)

Also, please advice if he has to take care or be aware of any other things in this situation.

Have got few pics from him and attached the same for a better understanding of what the situation is.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by hardilip

Hello Everyone,

My friends car (Honda City SV Diesel 2014 Model) has submerged in rain water on 13th October 2017 (yes!! 13th the Friday). Water went in and covered at the level of steering wheel.
My friend is confused now and needs some advice.

Similar situation. You may be interested in this thread: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ng-floods.html

Any modern car with this weightage to electronics is bound to be an expensive repair. Better to push as total loss.

[Mad Max]

Yes, please negotiate for a total loss on this. While there are instances where folks may get their car back working well, I'd suspect the majority of cases isn't a good experience. Sad to see such nice cars getting flooded and going to waste.