Throttles and Gears: Top 20 salvaging features for a marooned/drowned c...

Throttles and Gears: Top 20 salvaging features for a marooned/drowned c...:            Top 20 salvaging features for a marooned/drowned car Pic courtesy:www.hansindia.com Recently the Souther...

Top 20 salvaging features for a marooned/drowned car

           Top 20 salvaging features for a marooned/drowned car

Pic courtesy:www.hansindia.com

Recently the Southern East Coast of India experienced a brutal storm in November and December 2015 which resulted in severe flooding in many parts of South India,  especially in Chennai, Cuddalore and Pondicherry. It is very sad to note that so many people suffered in the floods that marooned most of Chennai, Cuddalore, Pondichery and Nellore.

 Many had suffered beyond measure. Some have lost their kith and kin, while many have encountered huge material losses.

For many people they their cars and SUV’s got marooned / drowned in the flood waters. In view of the present situation, I wish to present a few points on how to salvage a car which has been marooned/drowned. This will also help you not getting  conned / fleeced by unscrupulous elements.

Note:

·        If your Car or SUV is drowned in the water, please do not attempt to start the car, because if the water had already entered the engine, trying to start the car/SUV/2 wheeler will lead to heavy damage to the engine beyond measure. Moreover the insurance company might not honour their insurance policy in such circumstances.

·        In case your vehicle had rolled many times and if it was found washed up in some other area, please check for body damage like caved in roof or doors completely gone inside. If there is such an issue, please contact your dealer and insurance company for total replacement, especially if your policy is live. (It is not worth repairing a completely damaged body, because most of the present day cars are Monocoque type bodies which do not have a separate chassis.)

·        In case your vehicle is a SUV and if it is  body on ladder type frame, such a vehicle can be repaired even if the body is completely damaged. The shell can be replaced separately provided the chassis is not bent or twisted.

In case your vehicle does not have body damage, please read further to see how it can be salvaged

Some of the points to remember while salvaging your vehicle:

1.     Please tow your vehicle to a workshop you are familiar with, without trying to start the engine.

2.     First thing remove the Engine oil and flush the engine, after flushing put fresh oil and change oil filter. (Old oil will be contaminated with water and dirt).

3.     Remove old oil from Gear box and Differential and put fresh oil.

4.     If your brakes are jammed, remove the rear brake. For vehicles equipped with Disc brakes in the rear overhaul the caliper and change the caliper Minor kit.

5.     For the front brakes change the caliper minor kit and change the Master cylinder assembly and bleed the system.

6.     Remove your starter motor, dry it and service it and refit it back

7.     As far as Alternator is concerned remove and dry it. Check your diode and if it is not alright replace your diode. Change your regulator, service it and refit.

8.     Check your Nozzle assembly in your engine and the associated components. If the water had entered the nozzle, please change the nozzle tips in case of old type of Diesel engines. In newer type of engines (both Petrol and Diesel) you will have to replace the complete nozzle assembly.

9.     Check for water ingress in the power steering assembly, flush the oil in Hydraulic power steering system replace with fresh oil and check for smooth functioning and also bleed the system. In case your vehicle is equipped with electric power steering check for smooth functioning and if the component is not working properly, you might have to replace the complete assembly.

10.   Remove the tie rod ends, check and move the strut assemble in both directions. If there is any noise coming in the ball joints replace those ball joints.

11.  Check your radiator for any leaks. In case of any leaks you might have to change the radiator.

12. Check for smooth functioning of your Air conditioning system.  If there is any noise from the blower unit replace the blower motor assembly. (It comes only as a set and hence cannot be serviced). Check the outside fan. If is damaged change it.

13.  Check your clutch operation, if your system is frozen change your slave cylinder and Master cylinder. (Old vehicles or low cost vehicles come equipped with cable operation. Replace if you find the operation jerky.) In case of any rattling noise comes from your Bell house assembly, you might have to change your release bearing and clutch disc).

14.  Check all your electrical systems, blow dry air and clean all the fuses, relays etc. In case some of them are blown replace with correct fuse rating. Newer generation cars can be hooked onto a computer. Check all your sensors and replace new ones for the failed sensors.

15.   Check your drive shaft boots. In case the boots are torn replace the boots and re grease it.

16.  Check your power windows and central locking systems. If you hear clunking noise when the windows are moved up and down, replace the motor assembly in the particular door. (The service motor assembly unit cannot be serviced.)

17. Check for free movement of the gear lever and make sure it falls into all the gears easily. In case it is hard to shift lubricate all the joints.

18.  Check for any Headlight, Taillight or fog lamp breakages. In case there are no breakages in the assembly, remove all the bulbs and dry it in the sun for a day or two  so that it removes all the moisture in it. If there is physical damage to the assembly replace the unit.

19.    Clean the interior with wet/dry wash vacuum cleaners. (Do not use a home  vacuum cleaners as most of them are of dry type and it can cause damage to the vacuum cleaner). In case you do not have access to a wet vacuum cleaner, remove the seats and carpet and dry it in the sun till it is totally dry without any trace of moisture or bad odour.

20.    Check your Music system. If it is not working, replace the music system. In case it is a company unit with multiple options like reverse camera, blue tooth and GPS replacing the whole unit will be a costly affair.

The minimum cost worked out for a small premium hatch back will be round Rs 45,000/-. This is provided there no major damages. The cost might vary from brand to brand.

 Caution:  Please use your discretion while deciding for the repairs and also check the credentials of the workshop and the mechanic. If possible go to an authorised dealer, even then do not settle for exorbitant cost. Always check whether repair is warranted. Many will try to con you for total engine overhaul, in many cases it might not be needed. Always double check with some well wishers.

 Happy Motoring !