5 Signs of flood damage car
One thing to watch out for when buying a used car is a washed-up vehicle from flooding damage. Although not all of them, flood-damaged cars are more avoided because of the various restrictions and complaints that appear later after the payment is made.
It's because flood-damage cars require more money and costly repairs, mainly if they are carried out at an official workshop dealer. Therefore, some vehicles hit by the flood were often repaired at the minimum cost and then resold.
With minimal repair, they can not resolve all problems in the car. Sometimes, the repair is often "tricky" as it can be a quick solution so that the car sells quickly. As a potential buyer, being vigilant about flood-damage cars is necessary to not lose in the future.
What are the car flood damage symptoms? In the following article, we will inform some of the car flood damage symptoms that need to be known.
1. An unpleasant odor smells in the cabin
The most noticeable car flood damage symptoms is an unpleasant odor of smells from the cabin. The unpleasant smell of flooding usually has a characteristic that is relatively easy to spot. The bad smell in this flood-damage car is similar to the smell from a wet cloth exposed to water and then left for a long time.
The odor in a flood-damaged car is very difficult to remove because it appears from all parts of the car interior that have been flooded.
Generally, many owners of used flood-damage cars apply various car perfumes such as coffee powder or something believed to get rid of this unpleasant smell. However, we can still smell this unpleasant smell after the scented effect of car perfume has disappeared.
So, when cars are sold with perfume scent that is quite stinging from the cabin, you should know if it's one of a car flood damage symptoms.
2. There are mold stains and mud deposit
The next car flood damage symptoms that you need to be aware of when you want to buy a used car are mold stains and mud deposits often seen inside the car.
Mud stains left in the interior of a car are generally difficult to remove, even if you can. Usually, mud stains can still find it in some quite hidden parts, such as on the inside of the AC vents, cables around the bottom of the dashboard (either on the driver's side or on passenger), door trim speakers on the right or left, or on sockets for connecting electronic components such as ECUs, car tape, and others.
The silt condition that dries in the parts mentioned above is generally light brown and dry, and if you rub it, it will leave a red brick-like color. Apart from silt, mold stains are also often seen on the dashboard of a car.
This mold stain is an effect if the flooded car is not cleaned for more than three days. Generally, mold stains will attack the interior, such as the steering wheel, car seats, dashboard panels to the inner glass.
When you see the mold spots, you should recheck other parts to make sure whether the car was flooded or not.
3. Visible rust inside and outside of the car
The next car flood damage symptoms are the appearance of rust on car parts which is quite difficult to rust if not because of being submerged by floods.
For example, rust appears on the top of the brake pedal, gas pedal, and clutch pedal. Rust on the bottom pillar, on the middle dashboard panel frame, and even rust appears on the car's floor inside.
To check this, lift the car carpet slightly so that the floor is slightly visible. Notice if there is rust or mud around it? If so, most likely, it is a flood-damaged car.
Also, rust can be found outside the vehicle even this cannot use as a characteristic of a flood-damaged car. If you want to check it, pay attention to the car lights inside and on the air grille near the wipers. Are there any mud deposits inside the air grille?
If the car lights and the air grille near the wipers have mud sedimentation, this could indicate a flood-damaged car. Recheck other parts to determine whether this is a flood-damaged car or not.
Also read:4. Dew appears on the glass from inside the cab
The next car flood damage symptoms are when dew appears on the glass inside the cabin when parked in a hot place. This condition generally occurs if the car has not been repaired for a long time and has been cleaned of traces of flood immersion.
A flood-damaged car cabin will generally become humid so that the moisture easily evaporates and turns into dew that sticks to the glass and other car interiors. Especially if the car is parking in a hot place and all the windows are closed.
For cars that have been drying and aerated for a long time, the appearance of dew from inside the cabin when it's hot is generally rare. However, the humid air in the cabin is generally still felt.
5. Some of the car's electronic equipment has a malfunction
The next car flood damage symptoms that we know about is a malfunction of the car's electronic equipment. Yes, electronic equipment in cars is very vulnerable to water, mostly if it's submerged by floods which often contain mud and other materials.
Electronic equipment often malfunctions are usually left on non-essential components such as power windows, radio tapes, or power outlets.
Keep in mind the irregularities that occur due to the malfunctioning of electronic car equipment can be seen through the meter cluster on the car dashboard. Generally, electronic equipment essential for engines and driving can be monitored and visible from the meter cluster in the form of indicator lights.
If you find some indicator lights are ON, for example, EPS (electronic power steering), ABS (anti-lock brake system), SRS (supplemental restraint system), and others at the same time. You should be alert if it is one of car flood damage symptoms