Vehicles submerged in and damaged by floodwater can be a problem of great significance for fleet maintenance personnel. Taking the necessary time and putting in the requisite amount of effort to carefully inspect and assess a flooded vehicle for damage can help fleets determine if a vehicle is safe to operate and what its value will be moving forward.
Being exposed to significant amounts of floodwater puts a vehicle’s short-term and long-term reliability in question. According to DMV.org, a website designed to provide information on behalf of local DMVs around the country, while cosmetic and surface-level damage can be addressed, fixing a flooded engine and salvaging damaged components are near-impossible tasks. More simply stated, flood-damaged vehicles are often deemed a total loss.
Rust and corrosion are very likely to occur as a result of a vehicle’s exposure to floodwater, putting fleets at great risk for costly repairs down the road, says DMV.org. In addition, the presence of rust on a vehicle can indicate water damage. Rust found on the inside of a vehicle is especially concerning, as it does not occur as a byproduct of typical wear and tear.
Interior Damage And Floodwater-Exposed Fabrics
Assessing the interior of a vehicle and searching for a damp, mildewy scent and the presence of watermarks -- on rugs, upholstery, ceiling fabric and seat belts – is an indicator of water damage.
Carefully checking for dampness on the interior fabrics of a vehicle is critical toward assessing potential problems caused by floodwater, officials at the Car Care Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating motorists about the importance of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair (www.carcare.org). If allowed to dry on their own, they say, the fabrics will quickly grow mildew and give off foul odors. In addition, seat brackets, motors and modules should also be inspected for the presence of rust and to determine whether or not they are properly operating.
Testing the functionality of electrical components located in the interior of a vehicle can also uncover signs of water damage. Maintenance personnel should be sure to test out every electrical element on a vehicle, including its windows, turn signals, emergency flashers and air conditioning.
Engines
Any effort to repair an engine of a vehicle that has been submerged in water is a tall task, and it is one that can put the health of maintenance personnel at risk. Because floodwater contains a wealth of harmful toxins and bacteria, officials at Detroit Diesel Corporation recommend technicians clean the engine and the area around the engine prior to working on it and in accordance with both local and federal recommendations. Detroit Diesel (www.demanddetroit.com) is a manufacturer of engines, axles and transmissions and a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America (www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com), the leading heavy duty truck manufacturer in North America.
In addition, Detroit officials say, an engine exposed to floodwater should be inspected and have its fluids changed.
Additional recommended practices involving flood-damaged vehicles, according to Detroit officials, include:
● Disconnecting the vehicle batteries prior to any service.
● Washing the exterior of the engine in fuel oil -- but not its electrical components -- to remove rust.
● Before subjecting the engine to a load or high speed, allowing it to reach a normal operating temperature and checking for any troubling diagnostic codes.
● Inspecting the engine and other areas of the vehicle for any leaks or other related problems.
● Following manufacturer recommendations for addressing any problems related to a vehicle’s electrical components, including:
○ The throttle position sensor.
○ Cruise control switches.
○ Engine brake switches.
○ Cooling fan control.
Vehicle Components
The presence of rust and corrosion on vehicle components exposed to floodwater should be of great concern to maintenance personnel. In an effort to prevent the potential for vehicle performance issues as a result of adversely affected components, Meritor officials advise undertaking a number of service procedures before returning a flood-damaged vehicle to the road. Meritor is a provider of automotive systems, modules and components for light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty equipment (www.meritor.com).
A vehicle should not be running when a technician commences with the inspection process of floodwater-exposed air compressors, say Meritor officials. Furthermore, all air lines and connections must be checked for water and contaminant damage, including, but not limited to, rust and corrosion. Any that are damaged need to be replaced immediately.
Then, maintenance personnel must ensure all water is removed from the air filter and compressor air inlet. If water is present in the compressor, then its oil needs to be drained from the crankcase. In addition, Meritor recommends replacing the air compressor in cases where a flood-damaged vehicle’s engine is also being replaced.
When it comes to inspecting a vehicle’s air dryer components for flood damage, Meritor officials recommend checking air lines and connections for both water and contaminant damage, as well as the presence of rust and corrosion. Damaged components must be replaced immediately, but, in many cases, replacing the entire air dryer is a more cost-effective option. Also, if excessive moisture is found, the air dryer cartridge needs to be replaced as well.
Officials at Meritor also stress the importance of inspecting all air brake control valves for water and contaminant damage when dealing with a flood-damaged vehicle. As with the aforementioned vehicle components, anything damaged must be replaced. In addition, company officials recommend cleaning and lubricating foot valve and quick release valve pins and plates as well.
When addressing both pneumatic and hydraulic anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel end sensing systems that have been exposed to floodwater, Meritor suggests inspecting sensors, sensor spring clips and tooth wheels for water and contaminant damage that includes, but is not limited to, rust and corrosion. Also, the company recommends inspecting and cleaning all spring clip mounting blocks, lubricating sensors and spring clips, as well as replacing all damaged components.
Electrical connections must be inspected, cleaned and dried. Dielectric grease should be applied to terminals as well. In addition, the installation of the brake system needs to be checked with a diagnostic tool, and any improperly functioning components must be replaced.
Key Takeaway
There is no overstating how much vehicles can be adversely affected by exposure to floodwater. Maintenance personnel should be aware of how damage to a vehicle’s interior, engine and other components could negatively impact a vehicle’s safety, its future reliability and its trade-in or resale value.
While putting in both time and effort to inspect, assess and salvage a flooded vehicle is a recommended task, the bottom line is that a vehicle that has sustained extensive damage, the vast majority of the time, ends up being deemed a total loss.
