Many questions come to mind when wondering if a car can be driven after being submerged in water. Will the engine still work? Will the electrical system short-circuit? These are all valid questions, and we will answer them here.
Will a Car’s Engine Work After Being Submerged?
The simple answer is “yes,” but it will depend on so many “ifs” and “buts.” Unless you are in an accident, a car can be submerged only due to a flood. And floodwaters contain dirt and water mixed with caustic and abrasive materials. It will be more damaging if you live in coastal areas because saltwater destroys various car components quite quickly.
After being flooded, some vehicles may start on the first try. But you should not do this. Running the engine without checking all components and doing a cleaning would be a foolish move.
So, to properly operate a car after submerging it in water, you need to follow certain steps.
Perform a Thorough Cleaning
The first step is to clean all the mud and dirt. If the water reaches the bottom of the car door, the engine might be safe. In that case, you can settle for cleaning only the floor, upholstery, tires, and exterior. Be patient enough to check all corners and crevices. Floodwater can damage any part if it remains there for a long time.
However, it’s bad news if water enters under the hood. You need to hire an expert to check whether the engine and other related components are still working or not. The expert must examine the engine, power steering, braking system, fuel line, and other parts.
Check the Engine
Modern cars have good sealing at every joint to keep external elements away from the engine. But if the car remains waterlogged for a few days or more, water will enter the engine. And if the seal is deteriorated in any way, you will need to change some parts.
There are many cases where water enters various engine compartments and connectors, such as in the brake booster vacuum lines or components of the vapor recovery unit.
Water in the engine could be extremely damaging. Sometimes, the repair cost exceeds and almost reaches the car’s current expert value.
Inspect the Electrical System and Other Parts
Next, you need to know if the electrical system was short-circuited when the car was underwater. You can probably get away with replacing a few fuses and spark plugs if there is no other damage inside the car. It is always safe to bring an electrician to take a look.
Other parts requiring thorough checking are the tires, battery, exhaust pipe, door and window seals, locks, and other minor components.
Conclusion
Bringing a submerged car back to life is not impossible. But there are many factors to consider, such as whether the engine has been damaged by flooding or not. So, it is better to call an expert for advice before trying anything yourself. It will be better to abandon that car if the repair costs exceed its value.