Flood Damaged
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Flood Damaged
I have 1976 corvette L82 four speed. It was stored in my garage and was caught in a flood. Up to the gauges in water. I got the water out of the motor tranny and rear end. Started it and moved around. Was going to start on the interior. That's when the tranny jammed in gear. Then the engine at idle in the driveway just died. Wouldn't start again. Now windows don't work. The gauges don't register. Headlights don't go up. Am I in for more trouble than the car is worth. Other people say get rid of it. She only had 60,000 miles on her and ran like a top. The front and rear bumpers were showing signs of a bit of deterioration. Everything else was good. What would your advice be? I'd like to keep but don't know all that would be involved to fix, or how much. Most of my coin went into buy her.
Thanks Putts
Thanks Putts
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
It all depends on how much silt the flood left behind and if it was fresh or salt water. Usually you can drain the fluids and if you run the car at operating temps enough then the damage is minimal. Then change the fluids again. The worst thing you can do is to let it sit a long time before you start. Besides obvious cleanup, almost all of the electrical, gauges, etc will have to be replaced. If you don't have the time at least spray everything with a light oil or even kerosene for now.
Did a bunch of them years ago and made money on every one, so it's not all that bad.
Did a bunch of them years ago and made money on every one, so it's not all that bad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
There is a reason that most cars that are subject to a flood are considered a total loss by insurance companies. It is not because they are nice guys. There is also a reason why flood cars must be sold with a salvage title and the flooding disclosed in virtually every state.
Flood cars will require a great deal of work to get them into an operable state but unless you replace all fluids, all interior pieces, and all wiring and electrical components you will experience problems for years.
The interior is subject to mold from being wet and the electrical components will corrode. Most of the other components can be cleaned up to look good and you might get lucky and not have problems. There are a few Katrina cars out there that were cleaned up and sold in states where disclosure is not required and their new owners are left to tend to the problems.
Only you can determine if it is worth it to clean up that car properly. From a monetary value standpoint it is not worth it but you may feel otherwise. My vote is take the insurance money and run.
Flood cars will require a great deal of work to get them into an operable state but unless you replace all fluids, all interior pieces, and all wiring and electrical components you will experience problems for years.
The interior is subject to mold from being wet and the electrical components will corrode. Most of the other components can be cleaned up to look good and you might get lucky and not have problems. There are a few Katrina cars out there that were cleaned up and sold in states where disclosure is not required and their new owners are left to tend to the problems.
Only you can determine if it is worth it to clean up that car properly. From a monetary value standpoint it is not worth it but you may feel otherwise. My vote is take the insurance money and run.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I am hoping that you drained all the oil out of the engine, transmission and differential and replaced with new fluid. If the car was in water higher than the dipsticks, there was filthy water in everything. If it didn't get up to the carb and/or top of the gas tank, the tank should be OK. Did it all get completely dried out (water stays inside electrical harnesses, etc. for a long time) before you put the battery to it?
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
There is a reason that most cars that are subject to a flood are considered a total loss by insurance companies. It is not because they are nice guys. There is also a reason why flood cars must be sold with a salvage title and the flooding disclosed in virtually every state.
Flood cars will require a great deal of work to get them into an operable state but unless you replace all fluids, all interior pieces, and all wiring and electrical components you will experience problems for years.
The interior is subject to mold from being wet and the electrical components will corrode. Most of the other components can be cleaned up to look good and you might get lucky and not have problems. There are a few Katrina cars out there that were cleaned up and sold in states where disclosure is not required and their new owners are left to tend to the problems.
Only you can determine if it is worth it to clean up that car properly. From a monetary value standpoint it is not worth it but you may feel otherwise. My vote is take the insurance money and run.
Flood cars will require a great deal of work to get them into an operable state but unless you replace all fluids, all interior pieces, and all wiring and electrical components you will experience problems for years.
The interior is subject to mold from being wet and the electrical components will corrode. Most of the other components can be cleaned up to look good and you might get lucky and not have problems. There are a few Katrina cars out there that were cleaned up and sold in states where disclosure is not required and their new owners are left to tend to the problems.
Only you can determine if it is worth it to clean up that car properly. From a monetary value standpoint it is not worth it but you may feel otherwise. My vote is take the insurance money and run.
Here are the BASIC things you will have to complete on your car:
- Replace All Fluids with New (oil, transmission, differential, radiator, windshield washer, brake fluid, EVERYTHING)
- Replace wiring harness
- take apart all guages and clean (guages that cannot be taken apart will need to be replaced)
- Unplug all connectors, clean, lubricate with di-electric grease, and reconnect
- Remove all bulbs from sockets, clean every socket, lube with di-electric grease, replace with new bulbs
- Strip the interior down to the metal
- Tear seats down to the frames.
- Place seat cushions, seat covers, door panels, and all carpet in the sun to dry
- Clean any mold or mildew with a solution of detergent and a couple of tablespoons of bleach (go easy on the bleach, it may ruin whatever you save)
Once you get everything back together and the car running again. You can attempt to start using your car again. Be prepared to totally rebuild your starter and distributor, repack anything and everything with a bearing in it, and constantly watch your frame for rust.
Last note: If you were flooded by Salt water (even slightly salty) forget about all of the above. Just say goodbye and be happy you had some fun with it prior to the flood.
Good luck!
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
A long but interesting read here on a flood C6.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-purchase.html
Assuming you have insurance, I would take the write-off funds. The company can take it off your hands and dispose of it as they see fit.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-purchase.html
Assuming you have insurance, I would take the write-off funds. The company can take it off your hands and dispose of it as they see fit.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Flood Damage
Thanks for your replies. I got the water out of the motor tranny and rearend the day after the flood. Filledit up with fresh. Started and moved around. The water was fresh water. No insurance act of God. Also lost the house. No insurance act of God. Just finished the house. Now figured I would start on the car. If I replace any electricle motors clean all connections what else will have to be done. I have time just no money
Thanks again.
Putts
Thanks again.
Putts
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Thanks for your replies. I got the water out of the motor tranny and rearend the day after the flood. Filledit up with fresh. Started and moved around. The water was fresh water. No insurance act of God. Also lost the house. No insurance act of God. Just finished the house. Now figured I would start on the car. If I replace any electricle motors clean all connections what else will have to be done. I have time just no money
Thanks again.
Putts
Thanks again.
Putts
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Flood Damaged
No apologies necassary. They were insured just that insurance says it was perfect storm and an act of God. So no insurance. Government kicked in with some help but not for anything not related to the house. Life goes on now just got to decide what to do with the car,
Thanks Putts.
Thanks Putts.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
No apologies necassary. They were insured just that insurance says it was perfect storm and an act of God. So no insurance. Government kicked in with some help but not for anything not related to the house. Life goes on now just got to decide what to do with the car,
Thanks Putts.
Thanks Putts.
So what's your location?
Who were the cheezy insurance companies?
Exactly how high was the water level, on engine and/or dash?
How long has it been since flooded?
Was there silt or was water pretty clean?
Was battery connected when flooded?
Got any pics?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
"Act of God".... hmmm, sounds like a legal 'out' to me. Tell them to prove that God exists before they can claim that one. Lots of us 'believe', but the insurance clowns are using this to not pay you. That's a legal issue; so make them prove God exists in a court of law in order to claim an 'Act of God'. By the way, what isn't an act of God??? Just a bunch of legal weasels trying to skip out on paying off on their insurance coverage.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Flood Damage
I live in Duncan BC. Ca. The flood was over a year ago. The water was fresh water. Fairly clean. As clean as flood water can be I guess. The water was up to the bottom of the gauges. Came up the exhaust pipes and filled the engine. I got the water out of the engine, tranny and rear end. It started and ran. I would start it and move it around up until 6 months ago when it died and wouldn't even click even though all the other things were getting power and working. Now it seems one by one electricle things have stopped working.
I believe there is a class action suit being brought forward. There are 410 homes affected.
Thanks again.
Putts
I believe there is a class action suit being brought forward. There are 410 homes affected.
Thanks again.
Putts
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
I hope you and the other 409 home owners get satisfaction from that class action suit. You deserve it.
