What happens to trucks flooded with water- Can they still be drivable with problems?
Asked by mnanang Oct 31, 2012 at 07:44 AM about the 2008 Toyota 4Runner Limited V8 4WD
Question type: Shopping & Pricing
I planned transferring funds to my a friend in Boston, MA to buy me a toyota 4runner 2008 year model. He said his search areas are dealers in NY,NH, MA, CT. My worry is that these areas had been flooded and I see the havoc caused by Hurricane Sandy with many trucks floating on water.
What will happen to those trucks? Are they still going to be sold at dealerships? Wouldn't one encounter problems should one unknowingly buy a truck that has been flooded?
Do you have suggestions on which states that can be better to buy? Is it better for me to wait for about 6 months
I just selected V8 but I amy also go in for V6
Sorry if my fears are ungrounded.
7 Answers
Yes, wait. Then get the VIN and a CarFax, it will tell you if it was totaled and salvaged. Very few dealerships (Factory dealers I mean, not independent dealers) will go near them . But most of them probably will be salvaged, be careful. Federal Law dictates disclosure at dealers, at time of sale, that a vehicle has been salvaged
Flooded engines can sometimes be saved but the electrical in engine and rest of vehicle will suffer for rest of vehicles life due to corrosion in inaccesible places.
Robert has an excellent point, especially with sea water
Sea water is the worst kind of flood a car can see due to the high salt content in that water. Yes, it will ruin computers and electrical modules almost immediately, then corrode wiring very soon causing more problems than you can imagine in just a few months. Dont forget all your brakes like calipers will seize, wheels bearings will go out in just a few thousand miles. Steering and chassis components fill with corrosive salt water and will wear prematurely as will u-joints and cv axles. Dont forget any vehicle with flood history is reported and the warranty is then voided by manufacturer. I worked at a dealer, I have seen this before. However, you can put your power window switches and power seat track motors inside a dish washer to clean them and they will still work great because 1. no salt 2. no electricity to part. Just make sure they are dry before you put them back in. Yes, i have done this a few times.
Papaobewon answered 8 years ago
I would never buy a flooded vehicle! To evacuate 100% of the moisture from transfer case, axles, engine and actuators is impossible! Splashing a vehicle with water versus submerging is quite a different situation! Dealership i.e, Toyota would should avoid these type of vehicles! In my opinion they are totaled and should be parts only!!
Papaobewon answered 8 years ago
Remember too what Kurt said things will deterioate in MONTHS !! You want something that will last years!!
I wouldnt trust carfax at all. The only reports are the ones an honest person may give. I got a car and it was a total tipoff. If they dont report it to carfax it's gone to history.This is what I read and was told... unfortunately after I bought the junker.
