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Started By
Message
Car took some water, filed claim, no contact, think the car is OK?
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:12 am
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:12 am
2020 Ford Explorer sat in flood water 17" deep. Water didn't get over the floorboard lip but did seep in through drain holes. Carpet is all wet in front seats, back seats are dry. Wet vacuumed out as much as I could and running dehumidifier and it is almost dry. Filed claim with state farm 4 days ago and so far nobody has even contacted me. I hate to crank it and use it if it would cause more damage (if there is
damage anyway). The weather tech floor liners did not get water on top, just damp carpet underneath.
Am I looking at damage or just dry it out, cancel the claim and drive it?
damage anyway). The weather tech floor liners did not get water on top, just damp carpet underneath.
Am I looking at damage or just dry it out, cancel the claim and drive it?
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:15 am to LiteHeaded
If you like the vehicle and you can get the floors completely dried out so there is no residual moisture to host mold, then by all means, keep it. But, for the time being, I wouldn't necessarily withdraw the claim since only time will tell whether any of the water damage is irreversible.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:16 am to LSUJML
Haven't tried, didn't want to cause or create further damage. Water barely touched the base of the engine so I know water did not get high enough on the engine to hurt anything.
Water made it about 2" above center of the axle hub
Water made it about 2" above center of the axle hub
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:18 am to LiteHeaded
Take pictures and videos. Get a paper towel and take a video of it on the floorboard.
Had a similar experience back in May and my insurance company allowed me to drive it until they finished their estimate. Just an FYI, they will more than likely total it out. I had just bought the car a year ago and didn’t want it to be totaled so I asked about cancelling the claim and they said I could but they would still have to report it to the state. Not sure where you’re located but Harvey changed a lot down here with flooded vehicles.
Had a similar experience back in May and my insurance company allowed me to drive it until they finished their estimate. Just an FYI, they will more than likely total it out. I had just bought the car a year ago and didn’t want it to be totaled so I asked about cancelling the claim and they said I could but they would still have to report it to the state. Not sure where you’re located but Harvey changed a lot down here with flooded vehicles.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:20 am to LiteHeaded
When my truck flooded from Harvey they said even though water got into the truck, it wasn’t high enough to ruin the electrical components.
It still runs just fine.
It still runs just fine.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:21 am to LiteHeaded
he carpets needed to be removed right away. sometimes requiring the seats to be removed also. There is an insulation under the carpet that will rot, stink and cause rust eventually.
Was it salt or freshwater??
The height of the water probably didn't cause too much other damage but the only way to know for sure is to have a thorough inspection. The minimum you need done is to check all of the fluids for signs of water as it can do damage to expensive. Check engine, transmission, differential, power steering (if not EPAS), brake fluid.
Call State Farm and your agent and tell them you are going to have an inspection and need to get the carpet out and send them written notice.
If you have some of the work done take pictures and keep all documentation.
Was it salt or freshwater??
The height of the water probably didn't cause too much other damage but the only way to know for sure is to have a thorough inspection. The minimum you need done is to check all of the fluids for signs of water as it can do damage to expensive. Check engine, transmission, differential, power steering (if not EPAS), brake fluid.
Call State Farm and your agent and tell them you are going to have an inspection and need to get the carpet out and send them written notice.
If you have some of the work done take pictures and keep all documentation.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:23 am to LiteHeaded
This is your chance to get out of a Ford. Don't blow it.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:27 am to shaquilleoatmeal
quote:Reading your post also reminded me of what happened with 2 of my neighbors trucks which also flooded.
Had a similar experience back in May and my insurance company allowed me to drive it until they finished their estimate. Just an FYI, they will more than likely total it out. I had just bought the car a year ago and didn’t want it to be totaled so I asked about cancelling the claim and they said I could but they would still have to report it to the state. Not sure where you’re located but Harvey changed a lot down here with flooded vehicles.
They both had loans, mine was paid off, both of their trucks were totaled….mine was not. I think there is a huge racket with totaling flooded vehicles for resale but I’m not sure how it works.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:28 am to kywildcatfanone
Thanks for not letting me down, just surprised it took someone this long to point out my error in owning a Ford. Thanks!
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:34 am to LiteHeaded
My friend had his Yukon totaled because water got in his transmission. When water reaches a certain height this can happen according to the adjustors.
I'd definitely check that out and electronics. It sucks but I'd try to get it totaled. To much money and new of a car to deal with problems down the road.
Good luck
I'd definitely check that out and electronics. It sucks but I'd try to get it totaled. To much money and new of a car to deal with problems down the road.
Good luck
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:53 am to Oddibe
I drove my car up until July when we finally settled and I allowed them to total it out. There was nothing wrong the car but they paid off my loan and I got back $5k thanks to the insane car industry right now
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:57 am to LiteHeaded
Back in the 80’s I spent the Summer in charge of a group of temps working on a total of 87 new GM and Isuzu autos.
Before starting the engine completely drain and refill the transmission. They have an overflow vent on the top that will take in water if submerged. If there is pink foam in the drained fluid it took water and you will need to flush and refill a 2nd time.
You should consider completely removing the interior to air dry also. As someone mentioned, the sound insulation under the carpet is still soaked through. An upholsterer could do a shampoo of the carpet/insulation if you want to spend the money.
Check the electrical connections of the wiring under the carpet. GM used cheap materials in theirs that would rust if untreated. Wouldn’t expect Ford to be any better. We used a spray goop to repel the water in the connectors. (Silicon/graphite, kinda pale yellow foaming cream stuff)
Check your ceiling material too. The heat and humidity can combine to loosen the glue and lead to sagging eventually.
The real problem with lightly flooded vehicles is the damage over time. What seems fine today may fail in a month or a year. Unless you strip it down to bare metal inside you don’t know the extent and are just guessing.
Before starting the engine completely drain and refill the transmission. They have an overflow vent on the top that will take in water if submerged. If there is pink foam in the drained fluid it took water and you will need to flush and refill a 2nd time.
You should consider completely removing the interior to air dry also. As someone mentioned, the sound insulation under the carpet is still soaked through. An upholsterer could do a shampoo of the carpet/insulation if you want to spend the money.
Check the electrical connections of the wiring under the carpet. GM used cheap materials in theirs that would rust if untreated. Wouldn’t expect Ford to be any better. We used a spray goop to repel the water in the connectors. (Silicon/graphite, kinda pale yellow foaming cream stuff)
Check your ceiling material too. The heat and humidity can combine to loosen the glue and lead to sagging eventually.
The real problem with lightly flooded vehicles is the damage over time. What seems fine today may fail in a month or a year. Unless you strip it down to bare metal inside you don’t know the extent and are just guessing.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 10:22 am to Sidicous
quote:
The real problem with lightly flooded vehicles is the damage over time. What seems fine today may fail in a month or a year.
What he said. Plus, it is my understanding that you could have future problems with wheel bearings, etc. I'm no car expert but you should allow your insurer to take your claim and then evaluate your options. If you want to keep the vehicle, you should determine what to do to rehab it.
Thought I would add: Insurance may total the vehicle and allow you to keep it plus give you money for your loss. As I understand it, a totalled vehicle will then have a "salvage" title, and when you go to sell or trade in will require you to explicitly describe all work done to make it roadworthy again. It will also of course significantly affect its trade or resale value (which is a reason your insurer should compensate you for that loss) unless you are perhaps selling to family or friend who is aware of the limited extent of damage and repair.
This post was edited on 9/5/21 at 10:29 am
Posted on 9/5/21 at 10:26 am to LiteHeaded
quote:
When water reaches a certain height this can happen according to the adjustors.
This.
Automobile components with fluids like the transmission, etc are vented and each vehicle is different as to where those vents are located - some much lower on the vehicle than people realize. High water can enter those vents and damage or destroy those components - may not happen overnight, but months down the road.
You need to have competent shop thoroughly check it out. Here is an article on the subject that might help. LINK
The owner of AgCo Automotive wrote the article. If your are in Baton Rouge these are the guys that can check it out for you and know what to look for. Been my auto service provider for 25+ years.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 10:31 am to LiteHeaded
If you can get it totaled then do so. Even if it seems fine now, typically inside a year your wiring harness will corrode and you’ll have a much bigger problem on your hands. Good luck! I hope they get to you quickly!
Posted on 9/5/21 at 10:37 am to LiteHeaded
Replace carpet
You won’t find another vehicle anytime soon
You won’t find another vehicle anytime soon
Posted on 9/5/21 at 10:59 am to LiteHeaded
You will eventually have major electrical failures. Ride it until then and junk it. Don’t be an a-hole and resale it.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 11:15 am to LiteHeaded
I would start with getting an estimate if you haven’t already done so. The repairer will likely know how to submit it to the insurer or your agent can help with that.
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