Water Damage... probably a total loss... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pmckechnie · #16 06-28-2007, 07:55 AM

I have had some experience with flood cars and have found that the trick is to clean everything as soon as possible. Remove the electronic items and remove any covers, wash them in soap and water, blow dry them carefully, then spray them with WD40. For the instrument panel, you can try to clean them with the soap and water and WD40 but sometimes the instruments don't respond as well. Do this with any of the electrical connectors also. Dont assume that if something works that it is OK not to do the above if they were underwater. The impurities in the flood water is what does the damage.
Remove all the interior and do the same. Soap and water and a hi pressure washer then suneshine will do wonders for carpet.
If you want to try to salage the car, get the insurance company to come asap and look at the car, then start on it as they are driving away.
I learned some of this in New Orleans back in the 80's when a basement was flooded and there was an IBM mainframe computer in it. A team of people did just what I recommened. We used a lot of soap and water and hair driers and about a week later the computer was running again.
Just don't wait. Start within a week if possible. If the car sits for more than a month or two, it is history.

nhdoc · #17 06-28-2007, 08:22 AM

Your insurance company will undoubdetly total out the car since it isn't worth their time or trouble in trying to fix it and the value is relatively low. Negotiate the best deal you can with them and try and buy it back as a salvage as part of the deal. Chances are they will let you have it for next to nothing...just wait until the end of the negotiation and throw that out on the table...then you can tinker with it and see if it can be saved That's what I would do. You can always sell it for parts if you're not happy with it after some tinkering.

E300D-JD · #18 06-28-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Actually I watched a video where a british show drove a Gasser MB wagon (W124) into water up to the roof, it stalled out (they drove into the water with it RUNNING)....their mechanic pulled the spark plugs and cranked it, it still turned over and cleared the water out of its cylinders (280 engine), put the plugs back in and cranked for about 10-15 seconds and it came back to life, shot a ton of water out of the exhaust, and then was idling smooth.

The power windows/locks/wipers/radio, all began functioning again the following day after the car had a chance to dry out. EVERYTHING worked. The engine even survived ingesting water while running! I bet you could get it back on the road. Biggest issue will probably be the interior and getting the water out of everything. I bet the drive train and electronics will still work.

True, I have seen the Top Gear episode a few times. Problem is that they did that for a TV show, then junked her. How will the work in a week? Month? Year? No saying... and I am not going to chance a airbag contact point corroding and failing, or whatever... you know?

E300D-JD · #19 06-28-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorebilly

I spent the majority of my adult life living and working along the Gulf Coast.....the first thing that came to mind was, well at least it was fresh water.....in Chicago.....those vehicles that were flooded during hurricanes Katrina/Rita were flooded with salt water...this makes a huge difference when it comes to rust/corrosion issues and electrical problems.....salt water is conductive, fresh water not nearly as much so....

If it was my car, I would have already washed the entire car down with a pressure washer......and then opened any electrical boxes i.e. Fuse Box....and if there was any sign of water, wash out with distilled water....THEN...I would let my insurance company total the car, and then offer to purchase it back (you will get a salvage title) and use it ad a daily driver in the city.....and then get the new Bluetec and use it when the occasion warrants.....Sunday drives in the country, etc.......having the previously flooded car for city use will save on parking lot dents and such, as well as salt from winter driving.....

Of course I would check the fluids and stuff that the others have already mentioned.....

SB

I have also seen the Katrina cars... nasty. This is nowhere near the same, but this was a really fast storm that dropped 7" or more rain in a few minutes. All of the storm drains backed up, and there was a LOT of areas where sewage was also found... I am in no way interested in living with the spores.

State Farm has already told me not to open the car up again without a mask... the fact is that there are probably molds already formed in the dark areas (under the seats, etc..) so it is closed for good.

For the record, the water was up to the middle of the doors on the OUTSIDE, but inside the water stopped at the level of the rocker panels so it was probably about 2-3" inside at it's peak...

nhdoc · #20 06-28-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E300D-JD

I have also seen the Katrina cars... nasty. This is nowhere near the same, but this was a really fast storm that dropped 7" or more rain in a few minutes. All of the storm drains backed up, and there was a LOT of areas where sewage was also found... I am in no way interested in living with the spores.

State Farm has already told me not to open the car up again without a mask... the fact is that there are probably molds already formed in the dark areas (under the seats, etc..) so it is closed for good.

For the record, the water was up to the middle of the doors on the OUTSIDE, but inside the water stopped at the level of the rocker panels so it was probably about 2-3" inside at it's peak...

This whole deadly mold BS is really getting to me. Mold is older than man, it is everywhere...what about the millions of cars with leaks that have water in their carpets...is every one of them a death zone? 99.999% of molds are harmless...if you were to sell every car that had mold spores in it you wouldn't have a car left to own.

Hatterasguy · #21 06-29-2007, 12:33 AM

Its shot.

Flood cars are like boats that sank, they need TOTAL rebuilds. You will also have a never ending electrical problems because all the connections will corrode over time.

To get it right you would have to gut it to the body shell, and rebuild it.

If you are going to save it get that engine started! Remove the injectors shoot some oil in the cylinders and crank it over. If you let water sit in an engine its pretty much a throw away. After an engine has been flooded it needs to be started within hours of getting out of the water. You are actualy better off leaving it under water if you cannot start it right away.

Ara T. · #22 06-29-2007, 12:37 AM

Buddy and I took apart an old Oldsmobile 403 that was sitting outside for 15 years. I took the drain plug out and for about a minute all that came out was clear water. Then the oil started oozing out, what a mess. Was the consistency of pudding. I figured the whole thing would be rusting inside but it seems the pudding oil kept the rust away, everything seemed clean after washing it.

pawoSD · #23 06-29-2007, 01:01 AM

If the water inside the car was only 2-3" deep then that means all that would have gotten wet was the floor/carpet etc....did the seats or any instruments even get wet? My bet is that the car still runs fine. I'd say a bunch of carpet replacement and a really good detailing are all it needs....2-3" is not much at all. Engine compartment is probably fine, I'd change the oil/tranny/diff fluid to be safe. The fusebox and electrical items are all mostly above the level you said the water reached....so they are likely also fine.

vstech · #24 06-29-2007, 08:58 AM

I don't know what the temp is up there, but if the car has been wet, then left "closed up" for a few days, it's not gonna survive long enough to repair the car. when you close up the car, you let MASSIVE condensation collect on EVERYTHING. computers, instruments, connectors. even plastic gears will disintegrate from condensation. it causes all the tiny bronz/brass bushings to corrode and destroy things. if you can't clean it out immediately, don't bother. it's a gonner.

connerm · #25 06-29-2007, 09:24 AM

Sorry for your loss. I grew up in Hazel Crest, IL and know how fast the water can rise during a summer storm. At the risk of sounding crass, I'll pay you cash today for the driver's side mirror, antenna, both tail light lenses and front turn lenses. No reason you can't make some cash to put toward your deductible. Right? Respectfully submitted.

WINGAS · #26 06-29-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E300D-JD

Yes, it is insured... lucky.

The car was not being driven, so it should be fine on the water on the intake ideas... it was parked in front of our house. The seats have got to be toast, but the electrics will all be on the fritz forever if they've gotten wet. It is a battle I most likely won't want to fight.

I will most likely just drive my company car, and wait for the W204 C220 CDI Blutec to make it to the USA.

BUMMER! I'm just starting to really dig the driveability of mine.

These truly are 4 door go karts. The N/A motor is scooty enough to handle most threats... oh well.. the new Bluetec kills it...

The 95 IS my company car!

( the no payment plan, all milage deduction)

Not to be morbid or cast bad vibes , but it might make an excellent project for someone here if the ins co. doesn't take it.

Otherwise, I;d be pulling all the mats/rugs, sets out and sucking the heck out of it

Pull the intake crossover and see if there is any water in the bottom chamber of the intake manifold proper.I doubt water made into the engine due to the high/long intake and bottom chamber. That wont take but a few mintues...

DONT TURN IT OVER.... I;ve seen a BBC connecting rod ( strong as hell) BEND due to hydrolock. Blew the wall out , of course. Ensure its dry inside.

Matt L · #27 06-29-2007, 01:32 PM

I'm pretty sure that 9 years is the cutoff in IL. That is, if the car is 9 years old or less and is totaled, you cannot buy it back from them.

E300D-JD · #28 06-30-2007, 01:16 AM

I have no idea what the law says about buy-back. So far it will be Tuesday when the adjuster comes to see the car. It is all steamed up inside, so it doesn't look so good.

WINGAS · #29 06-30-2007, 06:07 AM

Plus, the mats in the 95 pop out revealing the solid floor. It really would be an easy car to clean, probably the best car to get in a flood and survive.

Good luck.

E300D-JD · #30 07-07-2007, 05:06 AM

Well, as anticipated the E300D is a total loss. The damage was worse than we thought. The transmission fluid had water in it and the trunk was also full of fluid and debris... after a couple days of drying out the engine was running rougher and rougher. My insurance company came on Thursday and took it away on a flat bed truck. Good news is that the settlement was a LOT higher than I thought it would be. SO... I am going to wait a few months before replacing it and either get a new C300 Sport or wait to see if the W204 C220 CDI will be coming to the US.

RIP 1995 E300D
288K miles, taken out by a bad rainstorm!