How to Save a Flood Damaged Car Engine

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By kristara
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Save a Flood Damaged Car Engine

If your car is ever caught in a flood, many will tell you the engine cannot be saved. If you love your car or do not have insurance for this type of damage, all may not be lost. As long as your car or truck was not completely submerged in water, you may have a chance to save your engine. This applies to fresh water floods, not salt water. Salt water is very corrosive and eats away at wires and other engine parts. The most important part is do NOT try to start your car until you do the following:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Disconnect the car battery and remove it.
Step 2

Drain the motor oil. Let it drain at least overnight to get all of the water out.
Step 3

If you car does not have a sealed transmission, drain the transmission oil. Let it drain for at least overnight.
Step 4

Remove the spark plugs. You can set the spark plugs on the side for later use.
Step 5

The next day, add new motor oil and transmission oil.
Step 6

Put the battery back in and reconnect it.
Step 7

Turn the ignition key so the engine attempts to turn over. The car will not start without spark plugs. This is done to get the water out of the cylinders.
Step 8

Remove the old air filter. Replace the air filter with a new one.
Step 9

Put the sparks plugs back in. You can use your old spark plugs or buy new ones.
Step 10

Start the car.

Tips & Warnings

In a deep water flood this may not work because the Engine Module (computer) may have burnt out due to the water damage.
A new Engine Module can be purchased at a junk yard.

Comments

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