2005 Hyundai Accent how to repair a flooded car

VOLCANOBLAST

MEMBER
2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
38,114 MILES

Hi my name is Robert and I live in Cleveland, Ohio. I work at the cleveland metro zoo and in the summer of 07, heavy rains flooded the creek that runs through the zoo and flooded my car which was in the parking lot. After the water subsided, I went back and saw that the water level had reached about halfway up my seats. I don't know exactly how long the car was underwater, but I did try to start it the next day and water came out of the exhaust pipe. I didn't have full coverage because I'm a college student & don't have a lot of money, so the car has been sitting in my driveway ever since. I don't want to junk a car that I still owe 2,000 on. What course nof action should I take to fix the car and what approximate total could you give me as towards the cost of repairing it?

Thank you for your time,

Robert Walton

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Robert,

I hate to repair cars that have been flooded as it involves a lot of work and time.

If you had not tried to start the vehicle and disconnected the battery, then you might have salvaged something. If the repair and drying up of all the components had been carried out asap, the extent of repairs might not have been too bad. Having been left idle for so long means there are many things that have seized, eg. Cables, brakes, engine and trans (if water had gotten into them)

The cost would be quuite extensive based on what I believe needs to be repaired/replaced.
1. PCM
2. Cables - park, rear boot, fuel lid.
3. Wireharness.
4. Servicing of brake system
5. Changing of trans fluid and engine oil ( hopefully water did not get into them and damage the trans valve body and seize the engine.
6. Battery.
7. Starter.
There are many more small items that have to be looked into and work on a as is where is rectification.

I believe the minimum would be at least 2k.

Good luck, yu would need it