Water Damage

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Oct 7, 2001 | 09:36 AM

Fordtruxrok

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Water Damage

I was surfin around and found a couple of websites selling late model vehicles dirt cheap because of water damage. I have a good I dea what water can do to a truck, I have had mine in water so so deep my knees almost got wet, with no obvious lasting damage. Can someone give me an idea of what exactly water damage is, other than rusty floorpans or funky carpet?

Thanks up front
John

Oct 7, 2001 | 07:56 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

Water Damage

The ? that comes to my mind is "How long did it sit under water?"

I would expect moldy carpet and several possible electrical problems if the connections were not well lubed.

Draining the oil pan and tranny pan may give you some clues to the extent of the water damage. I would not be above checking the differentials for water.

Either way it's a gamble. If you can get it cheap and spend a few hours on it, OK. But I would not tackle this unless you have the resources or the time. This can turn major very quickly.

98 F250LD 4X4
Slotted Rotors

Oct 7, 2001 | 08:44 PM

rocky

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Water Damage

The "problem" cars I've seen are the ones where the computer is down low, like under the seat, and the water reached it. Expensive to fix, so you've got to factor in the cost of a new computer, if you can find one at all. I once bought a truck that had been underwater, and it still runs fine. I've a lot of experience with auto auctions, and wouldn't buy from them "sight unseen" We've bought cars only to find the wheels swapped, seats and parts removed, all sorts of little tricks by the auction employees and their friends by the time we've picked the car up. My advice; Take a tow-truck with you or have one on-call so you can take the car with you as soon as it's paid for. There are also tow-truck drivers that hang around on sale day, and will tow for cheap. And check the paperwork! I once caught the insurance auction selling a "clear-titled" truck that I had reported stolen six months earlier, with my tool box still in the bed. Talk about some red faces!

Oct 8, 2001 | 05:06 AM

Tomohawk

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Water Damage

One of my own trucks was totally submerged once. Besides what was already posted, you may need to drain the fuel tank. Mine took on quite a bit of water.
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Oct 8, 2001 | 08:44 AM

Chuck P.

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From: SE PA

Water Damage

Yeah, I'm there with Tomohawk, brakes, go over them before driving, depending on how long it's been sitting, they may not even work. Cables(brake/clutch/throttle/trans), same deal. If you would go this way, invest in some Blaster or some other good penatrating oil. Again, depending on time, nothing may want to come apart easy. You will have to watch things like fuel pump if mounted on the engine and water/muck was left in the top of the pump at the breather, diaphram will go. If it has a cam/drive belt tensioner, bearings don't like be submerged, only a matter of time. I'm sure there was a few other items which caused problems, but if the price is right and you have no problem dealing with and doing the work yourself, by all means go for it!

Oct 8, 2001 | 07:06 PM

Rosati

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From: Texas

Water Damage

Not only those above, but check the cylinders for rust as well. If an engine was running when submerged it would suck in a lot of water and either stop the engine by hydrostatic locking (ie bent connecting rods) or the water is still in the cylinder on the lot after 6 weeks of paper shuffling. The surface rust would damage the rings and honed lining as soon as it was turned over.

Krosati
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Oct 8, 2001 | 10:20 PM

jbhf250

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From: Kelseyville USA

Water Damage

Not sure what state you are in ..But they may be `Salvage Totals`.and just a rip off. Some ins Co.`s consider if the water reached the instrument panel its a Total!!
Titles should reflect that

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