Flood damage

rallye · Post by **rallye** » 27 Apr 2005, 14:52

I am thinking of buying a Picasso HDI that has been in a flood. I'm told that the water was about 300mm deep. What damage would occur if the battery (under the seat) has been immersed in water?
Regards, Gerard.

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:07

If water has got inside the engine, you're probably up for a total rebuild particularly if it's suffered hydraulic lock.
I reckon the battery would be the least of the problems.
Alan S

oilyspanner · Post by **oilyspanner** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:19

Salt water or fresh water? was the car running in the water? how long was it there?
Stewart
I may be tempted to put a battery on it and see if it will run.

bikeboyz · Post by **bikeboyz** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:39

If you, do a basic check of taking out the air cleaner and see if its full of water. Dont let any get inside the engine.

rallye · Post by **rallye** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:43

Thanks for your reply. I have already budgeted for a replacement engine. but should I also allow for an alternator and an ECU?
Regards, Gerard

rallye · Post by **rallye** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:48

Unfortunately, I can't do any of these checks before I buy the car because it is to be auctioned. So I have to allow for the worst-case scenario. Regards, Gerard

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 27 Apr 2005, 15:57

Tread warely mate, there was a Peugeot over here that went through about 2 feet of water and ended up it was going to cost more for the engine rebuild than the car was worth.
It went to auction twice and didn't get a bid. As far as I know, it eventually was sold but probably only for parts.
Alan S

madasafish · Post by **madasafish** » 27 Apr 2005, 17:05

Citroen electrics are iffy when new. With immersion in water, you will have problems in years to come due to corrosion in all connectors. Ther will probably be weird faults such as closing a door stops the engine/switches on the lights or soemthing.
All electrical items (wiring/ECU/PCB in dash) MUST be suspect.
Go elsewhere is my motto. Good for parts only.. (not engine tho!)

fastandfurryous · Post by **fastandfurryous** » 27 Apr 2005, 18:13

A foot of water though.... the engine intake isn't that low is it? Whilst there's likely to be all sorts of electrical gremlins and possibly some rather nasty stains/niffs from the car, I woudn't have thought the engine would have sucked in any water.
Can you even get to look at the car before the auction?

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 27 Apr 2005, 19:31

If theysay 300m of water they really meaN 600MM of water !!!!

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 27 Apr 2005, 20:40

Some bargains - even give aways - should be avoided. You learn while you live [8]

Oscar Too · Post by **Oscar Too** » 27 Apr 2005, 21:15

Gerard I really wouldn't. And I am the guy who sold a cheap, reliable, economic and more-than-adequate ZX in order to buy a £30 MoT failure BX for a "challenge" (Laughs bitterly, tries to ignore scornful look from wife). Don't do it.

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 27 Apr 2005, 21:42

Presumably the car is being sold because it has been written off by the insurers.
If it was parked and the water level rose up around it to 300mm it could just be OK, albeit mucky (carpets and seats) and have water where it shouldn't. If it was being driven at the time, the engine could be dead.
What kind of auction doesn't let you look at what is being sold? Is it ebay?

rallye · Post by **rallye** » 28 Apr 2005, 03:53

Thanks for all the replies! The car has now been sold (to someone else) for £4100! (52 Reg. Picasso HDI SX. Cat D insurance write-off)
Regards, Gerard

wilkobob · Post by **wilkobob** » 28 Apr 2005, 04:01

Whoever paid that must be mad if they cant get a look at it first. A car of mine suffered a foot of water one more than one occasion (and the intake was fairly low down on that) and didn't suffer any problems, not even wet carpets, or electrical gremlins. One thing I might put down was the tensioner on the alternator belt, it got noisier (then replaced) , but thats all.