Notes on Repairing and Maintaining Flooded Cars in the Rainy Season

Car flooded is a fairly common situation, especially during the rainy season or when encountering flooding situations. Cars being flooded can cause many serious consequences, affecting both the driver and the car.

Car maintenance is essential, especially during the rainy season. In Vietnam, where flooding is common in major cities during the rainy season, car owners need to be especially vigilant.

This article provides essential information about these Note on repair and maintenance of flooded cars, backed by expert opinion and statistical data.

Serious effects of water hammer phenomenon

Hydrolock, also known as “hydrolock,” is the primary enemy of flooded cars. It occurs when water enters the engine cylinders, causing sudden engine failure.

Important statistics:

• According to a 2023 study by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), water hammer accounts for 68% of vehicle damage caused by flooding.
• The average repair cost for water hammer damage is estimated at 50-70 million VND.

Consequences of water hammer:

Engine failure:

• Bent connecting rod
• Engine block crack
• Piston and cylinder wall damage

Electrical system failure:

• Short circuit in ECU (Engine Control Unit)
• Sensors and actuators malfunction
• Wire harness corrosion

Gearbox problem:

• Water in the gearbox oil
• Transmission control module failure

Notes when repairing and maintaining flooded cars in the rainy season

1. Pay attention to care and maintenance of flooded cars during the rainy season

Effective ways to care for and maintain flooded cars during the rainy season include:

• You should wash your car after moving in the rain outside the road to help paint coating less affected by the acid content of the rainwater.
• Check belts after driving cars during the rainy season and if they show any signs of abnormality. Specifically, the screech after moving, you should turn off the machine, wait for about 20 minutes and wipe off the dust on the belt. For more severe cases, take the car to a reputable garage to be checked and repaired.
• Check the brakes regularly, even if they are located in the parking lot of the building. This will help you quickly identify the failure of the brakes to promptly handle and ensure the safety of everyone during the journey, especially during the rainy season.
• Clean car floor mats to avoid mold humidity
• Check rain wipers and wiper blades to improve the situation and avoid oxidation.
• Take care to clean the chassis to wash away the impurities.
• Check your tires to make sure they are not worn or cracked
• Regularly clean and clean the interior of your car to ensure your beloved driver is always clean and away from harmful bacteria.
• Checking the fuel tank: During the rainy season, it is easy to slip into the engine oil. You should check the color of oil and if they are pale, slightly diluted, contact a reputable garage. At this time, the staff will conduct counseling and help you have a timely treatment.

2. Go to a reputable garage when your car shows unusual signs of water hammer.

When your car is attacked and there are abnormal signs such as making a hissing noise, the belt is broken, the wipers are broken ... then take the car to the prestigious garage. There will be a team of good technicians and good professional knowledge.

They will quickly discover the cause of the car's failure during this rainy season. From there proceed to repair, maintenance and repair breakdowns to help your car work normally again.

Besides, the technical staff also shared with you the experience of driving a car during the rainy season. Specifically, when going through flooded areas, you should remove the engine filter and turn off the air conditioning switch. The next step is to keep the driving speed moderate to observe the surrounding view better.

Insurance precautions and considerations

Flood insurance:

• Comprehensive auto insurance often covers flood damage.
• Consider purchasing additional “water damage” or “engine protection” coverage.
• Average flood insurance premium: 0,3-0,5% of vehicle value annually

Flood detection and avoidance system:

• Install water level sensor (average cost: 2-3 million VND)
• Use a real-time flood mapping application (e.g. FloodAlert, WaterAlert)
• Invest in enhanced parking solutions for flood-prone areas

Car maintenance and repair for flooded cars requires a proactive and informed approach. By following these guidelines and seeking professional assistance, car owners can minimize the impact of flood damage and ensure the longevity and safety of their vehicles.

Remember: Prevention is always better than cure. Stay up to date on weather conditions, invest in appropriate insurance, and prioritize regular maintenance to keep your car in top condition, rain or shine.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the entire wiring system need to be replaced after a car is flooded?

It is not necessary to replace the whole thing. Need to assess the extent of damage:

• Check humidity in connectors: if > 80%, replacement required.
• Measure insulation resistance: if < 1 MΩ, need to replace.
• Statistics show that only about 30-40% of electrical wiring needs to be replaced after being flooded.

Priority is given to replacing important wiring assemblies such as engine control systems and safety systems.

2. How to restore car interior after flooding?

Interior restoration process includes:

• Remove all seats, carpets, interior trim
• Use industrial dehumidifier (capacity > 50 liters/day)
• Spray specialized disinfectant solution (70-80% concentration)
• Drying with industrial fan (air flow > 10.000 m3/h)
• Check humidity (target < 40%) before reinstallation

Average time to full recovery: 3-5 days, depending on flooding level.

3. Is it necessary to change the engine oil immediately after the car is flooded?

Engine oil should be changed within 24 hours of a vehicle being submerged, regardless of the extent of flooding. Reason:

• Water can penetrate and mix with oil, forming an emulsion.
• Oil-water emulsions reduce lubrication by up to 70%.
• Increases the risk of engine parts corrosion by 5 times.

Use engine oil with SAE viscosity index 5W-30 or 5W-40 to ensure good lubrication after flooding.

4. How to check and maintain the brake system after the car is flooded?

Inspection and maintenance procedures brake system:

• Check brake fluid moisture: if > 3%, need to replace.
• Measure brake pad thickness: if < 3mm, need to replace.
• Check the pitting of the brake disc: if > 0.1mm, surface restoration is required.
• Lubricate the brake pistons with special heat-resistant grease (dropping point > 260°C).
• Replace brake fluid (DOT 4 or DOT 5.1) and bleed the entire system.

Average time for this procedure: 2-3 hours.

5. How to prevent water hammer when driving through flooded areas?

Measures to prevent water hammer:

• Water depth assessment: not exceeding 1/2 wheel height.
• Maintain a steady speed: 5-10 km/h to create waves ahead.
• Turn off the air conditioner and close the vents to prevent water from entering the engine compartment.
• Keep the accelerator pedal at 1/3 – 1/2 to maintain pressure in the exhaust pipe.
• Install breathing tube for bridge and gearbox (cost about 1-2 million VND).

Statistics show that applying the above measures correctly helps reduce the risk of water hammer by 90% when driving through flooded areas. Read the article now: 10 What to do when your car is flooded/water hammered shared in the most detail on the website.

6. Professional garage for repairing/maintaining flooded cars at good prices in HCM?

Thanh Phong Auto proud to be the leading auto service center in Vietnam, specializing in providing comprehensive solutions for flooded vehicles. With over 15 years of experience and a team of highly trained technicians, we are committed to providing the highest quality service to our customers.

Why should you choose Thanh Phong Auto?

• High expertise: Team of technicians with international ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification.
• Modern equipment: Using advanced OBD-II diagnostic technology and high capacity industrial dehumidifiers.
• Standard procedure: Apply 7-step process to check and handle flooded vehicles according to international standards.
• Prestigious warranty: Warranty up to 12 months for flooded car repair services.
• Cost transparency: Detailed quotes and advice on choosing the best option for customers.

Outstanding service

• Intensive water hammer treatment
• Electrical and electronic system restoration
• Maintenance and replacement of oils and lubricants after flooding
• Car Interior Restoration
• Check and maintain brake and suspension systems
• Insurance consulting and support for compensation settlement. See the article now: Insurance covers the cost of repairing flooded cars? is answered fully and in detail.

Let Thanh Phong Auto accompany you in restoring and protecting your "beloved car" after the floods. Contact us immediately via hotline 1900 6868 for timely advice and support.