Flood Damage to Accord

MRSANDERSON22

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

I have a 2004 Honda Accord with approx. 11,500 miles on it. It is an 4cy. Automatic. The car was flooded, minorly, on the passenger side. The water covered the passenger's side floor. Not knowing, I drove the car because I wanted to have it cleaned. The car made it about 1.5 miles and then the check engine light came on. I was getting on the expressway when the light came on. About 10 seconds later when I hit the gas the car completely stalled out and turned off. I pulled over and tried to start the car again. The car would start for a few seconds and then shut off. The car is now at the dealership and I have filed an insurance claim, however the dealership says there is NO electrical damage to the car and all they are doing is cleaning the carpet, installing a new pad, an oil change and they are flushing the engine. I am in disbelief. They say the check engine light does NOT come on. I just don't think this is possible. The estimate was for $855 of damages.

I know now how serious water damage to a car can be and I just can't believe the damage was so minimual, even AFTER I drove the car. When I tried to start the car on the side of the expressway I could hear something "sizzling". Do you think I need to get a second opinion BEFORE I let the dealership work on the car?

8 Replies

LOSONE

MECHANIC
1,616 POSTS

I live in an area flooded by Katrina and I have seen TONS of flood cars. The main problem I see is that the transmission dip stick is lower than the floor. Make sure there is no water in the tranny, The fliud will me a milky pink if there is water--make sure they check the tranny. Good luck

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Monday, May 8th, 2006 AT 6:15 PM

BOBO2812

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1 POST
HONDA ACCORD

2001 Honda Accord Coupe, 190,000 miles, 4 cylinder, manual 5 speed. We had a massive flash flood last night. My car sat in ankle high water to knee high water within minutes. Water came into the car but it was never fully submerged. It starts fine, idles fine and drives fine until you get to 3 RPM's. Even if you rev the engine, it will not go past 3 RPM's. It backfired on me a few times last night and in 1st and 2nd gear the car will start "shaking" when you get past 2 RPM's. Do you think a spark plug shorted or maybe something more serious? It drives like normal until you get to 3 RPM's. By the way, I just had all my belts changed along with all the other recommended parts replaced.

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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 8:02 PM (Merged)

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Did the water level reach the PCM or fuse box or other electronics?How high in the engine compartment did it get? Check for water in th espark plug wells and in the dist cap if equipped

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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 8:02 PM (Merged)

II008877

MEMBER
3 POSTS

We had a similar Accord with similar problems - four cylinder I expect? Ours was with lower miles though. I think you should be getting a check engine light. It will read PCM Voltage High / Out of Range. That usually causes RPM to top at 3K in this car. Take out the ECU open it up and check it out for water intrusion. It most likely got water in it since it sits so low (in front center console next to accerator pedal). The SRS computer sits just one level above it you may have to get it replaced as well if light comes on. After changing ECU you will have to get reprogramming done for your key and if SRS you will have to get light reset. If change any computers get them from your local junk yard or the expnse will go very high. Either way I would change spark plugs since there are only four and change engine oil to ensure no water inside.

If there is water in engine: Then do multiple oil changes without sprakplug in engine (only cranking by starter). Also drip like one or two tablespoons of oil into cylinder while cranking without sparkplugs.

Let me know what happens. Thanks.

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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 8:02 PM (Merged)

DICK.H

MEMBER
1 POST
1997 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
68,000 MILES

My car had water up to the bottom of the doors and sat like that for 1/2 hr, after starting it was missing badly, I dried all the wires, dist, rotor and changed the spak plugs, the miss is gone but the car now has a lack of power when accelerating from a stop, could this be an exhaust issue ei; plugged cat?And if so is the only fix to replace it?