Seeking Advice - My Storm-Surged Car!!

[Ixolib]

When Katrina's surge came up, it took with it our two cars. One, an '05 Jeep Liberty, was fully covered by insurance. Thankfully Geico (they are great!!) responded quite well and we now have a new one. The other, my 1986 Olds 88, had liability only , and hence, no coverage.

For the last six weeks, I've been more occupied with taking care of the damage to the house, but have now reached a point where I am hopeful of turning a little more attention to the Oldsmobile.

My question is this for anyone who might have expertise or simply layman's advice in the mechanical world (surely we have some S2Kers who fit that description!!):

Although it's been six weeks, can I still do anything to get the engine/transmission/electronics back in business after all of it was covered with salt water? Since the storm, I have only removed the upholstery items and then left the doors & deck lid open to facilitate drying the interior and behind the dash.

I guess I'm looking for any advice available to drain and clean the engine to a point where I can safely turn it over, and what I need to do to the transmission. And any suggestions on what I can do to get the electronics back in service, if that's even possible.

I've not attempted to turn over the engine at all, and the battery has been disconnected since the day after the storm. So, wherever the moving parts were before the storm is exactly where they are now - except that I have pushed it into the driveway from the point where it floated to - about a half block away.

I realize my desire to get it up and running may be asking too much, but you have my thanks in advance for any advice or help you might have to offer...

[vbhoutex]

My son is a mechanic. He may know something. He went to school for it and the training was extensive. I will ask him to read this and respond since he is a member here.

[Lindaloo]

Consider those cars history. The wiring is probably corroded. The electric seats, computer will not work. The wheel bearings are no longer any good. Not worth the hassle to even try to fix them.

You have to drain all the fluids out of the car. The transmission fluid will be a pink color if there is water in it. You have to keep changing the fluid until the transmission fluid is more of a red color.

The insurance companies are totaling the cars that are even partly submerged. You can buy the car back but they will not let you have anything but liability insurance on it. Also, you have to apply for a salvage title.

[Ixolib]

Consider those cars history. The wiring is probably corroded. The electric seats, computer will not work. The wheel bearings are no longer any good. Not worth the hassle to even try to fix them.

You have to drain all the fluids out of the car. The transmission fluid will be a pink color if there is water in it. You have to keep changing the fluid until the transmission fluid is more of a red color.

The insurance companies are totaling the cars that are even partly submerged. You can buy the car back but they will not let you have anything but liability insurance on it. Also, you have to apply for a salvage title.

Yep - they took care of our Jeep with absolutely no problem. Wish I had ALL my insurance with GEICO...

And, I'm gonna use the Olds as my "project car" since it had liability only. I'm pretty knowledgable on car repair, etc., and can't remember the last time I had to take any of my cars to a mechanic. I know it's a huge undertaking and that some "stuff" may not work - especially the electronics. But, if I can get the engine and transmission in a renewed condition, it may be interesting to see what the ultimate outcome will be.

What else I got to do?? I'm unemployed (at least for the short term!!)

[Ixolib]

My son is a mechanic. He may know something. He went to school for it and the training was extensive. I will ask him to read this and respond since he is a member here.

Thanks, VB. Any glimmer of hope and advice for this undertaking would be wonderful. I appreciate the pass-on!!

[Downdraft]

I'm afraid it's toast.

[Lindaloo]

Consider those cars history. The wiring is probably corroded. The electric seats, computer will not work. The wheel bearings are no longer any good. Not worth the hassle to even try to fix them.

You have to drain all the fluids out of the car. The transmission fluid will be a pink color if there is water in it. You have to keep changing the fluid until the transmission fluid is more of a red color.

The insurance companies are totaling the cars that are even partly submerged. You can buy the car back but they will not let you have anything but liability insurance on it. Also, you have to apply for a salvage title.

Yep - they took care of our Jeep with absolutely no problem. Wish I had ALL my insurance with GEICO...

And, I'm gonna use the Olds as my "project car" since it had liability only. I'm pretty knowledgable on car repair, etc., and can't remember the last time I had to take any of my cars to a mechanic. I know it's a huge undertaking and that some "stuff" may not work - especially the electronics. But, if I can get the engine and transmission in a renewed condition, it may be interesting to see what the ultimate outcome will be.

What else I got to do?? I'm unemployed (at least for the short term!!)

I understand that. Only thing about trying to fix one is you can't just go to a parts store or a junk yard to get parts, unless you drive for a while. My brother in laws new diesel truck caught on fire when it went under water. He said it blew up. They were already sitting on cabinets and he had to go outside to put the fire out while the truck was floating.

You will be employed again soon.

[Ixolib]

You will be employed again soon.

That's funny you bring that up. I was just talking to my sister this morning about how today is Friday, but that it doesn't really matter as one day just seems like any other now-a-days. But even though I've been out of a job since Katrina, I can't remember any other six-week period where I've ever felt or been more productive!! I've accomplished more in the last few weeks than I would ever have imagined possible on August 29!!

If it wasn't for the need of money, I could get real used to this "non-work" thing!! And this is the LONGEST period of time I've ever been unemployed since I was 14, about 34 years!! Weird feeling, no doubt...

[Lindaloo]

My work place was destroyed too. I did not get to have any down time because I went right back to work with another company in Theodore, AL.

You just think you will enjoy this "time off" Trust me, that gets old real quick.

[Ixolib]

My work place was destroyed too. I did not get to have any down time because I went right back to work with another company in Theodore, AL.

You just think you will enjoy this "time off" Trust me, that gets old real quick.

Yeah, that's what I keep hearing from some others as well. I think I was just getting burned out on the whole "casino way of life" thing, so this break at least seems welcome for the present. I keep telling my wife I just want to go work at some bait shop and sell live shrimp for a living!! Probably wouldn't pay the bills, but it would sure beat the corporate world I've so patiently endured (and endorsed) for the past 11 years!!

[Lindaloo]

I know what you mean. Living the simple life, it seems that is what we are destined to do now, for a while anyway. Enjoy yourself!!

[jasons2k]

Consider those cars history. The wiring is probably corroded. The electric seats, computer will not work. The wheel bearings are no longer any good. Not worth the hassle to even try to fix them.

You have to drain all the fluids out of the car. The transmission fluid will be a pink color if there is water in it. You have to keep changing the fluid until the transmission fluid is more of a red color.

The insurance companies are totaling the cars that are even partly submerged. You can buy the car back but they will not let you have anything but liability insurance on it. Also, you have to apply for a salvage title.

Yep - they took care of our Jeep with absolutely no problem. Wish I had ALL my insurance with GEICO...

And, I'm gonna use the Olds as my "project car" since it had liability only. I'm pretty knowledgable on car repair, etc., and can't remember the last time I had to take any of my cars to a mechanic. I know it's a huge undertaking and that some "stuff" may not work - especially the electronics. But, if I can get the engine and transmission in a renewed condition, it may be interesting to see what the ultimate outcome will be.

What else I got to do?? I'm unemployed (at least for the short term!!)

Hey Ixolib, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm afraid it's toast. If it's an '86 model it has an on-board computer. It's also probably fuel-injection. It's not like an old style car that simply works if you can get the mechanical parts working. There are a number of sensors, etc., controlled by the onboard computer system and if that's toast, the car's toast too, unless you replace it, all the wiring, and all the sensors, which will cost you more than the car is worth.

I once had a 1984 Pontiac Sunbird and it barely ran when the O2 sensor went out - and that was just one sensor. It caused the engine to misfire. With all the other sensors blown on the Olds as well, I just don't see it running. Wish I had better news.

[Ixolib]

Hey Ixolib, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm afraid it's toast. If it's an '86 model it has an on-board computer. It's also probably fuel-injection. It's not like an old style car that simply works if you can get the mechanical parts working. There are a number of sensors, etc., controlled by the onboard computer system and if that's toast, the car's toast too, unless you replace it, all the wiring, and all the sensors, which will cost you more than the car is worth.

I once had a 1984 Pontiac Sunbird and it barely ran when the O2 sensor went out - and that was just one sensor. It caused the engine to misfire. With all the other sensors blown on the Olds as well, I just don't see it running. Wish I had better news.

Well, so far, everyone responding to this thread is of the same mindset. Slowly and sadly (but surely!!) I believe I'm coming around to your way of thinking... It just "looks" so good from the outside, it seems such a shame to let it go. But, I hear what you're saying and I think I'm gonna take y'alls advice and call it a day on that idea.

Well, my son will be happy - the tires will fit just fine on his pickup!! I appreciate the candid responses, it's probably what I needed to hear!!

[Javlin]

Ixolib I work in the business and it may not be toast yet.If you have not tried to crank it since then that is good. The worst thing people where tring to do after the storm was crank the vehicles with water still in the old puter and shorting it out.You will need to do drain fluids a couple of times probably use cheap oil and filters.The other problems I have been seeing and selling alot of is Starters and Alternators.It might could be salvaged but not without throwing 250.0 - 500.0 dollars at it.Give me a holler at AZ on Beauvoir if you want.

Kevin

[Ixolib]

Ixolib I work in the business and it may not be toast yet.If you have not tried to crank it since then that is good. The worst thing people where tring to do after the storm was crank the vehicles with water still in the old puter and shorting it out.You will need to do drain fluids a couple of times probably use cheap oil and filters.The other problems I have been seeing and selling alot of is Starters and Alternators.It might could be salvaged but not without throwing 250.0 - 500.0 dollars at it.Give me a holler at AZ on Beauvoir if you want.

Kevin

Thanks, Kevin - I've actually spent a fair amout of time (and money!!) in your AZ. Always appreciate the service there. Next time I'm out that way, I'll look you up. Guess you guys are REALLY busy now-a-days since the D'Iberville store - and probably some others too - got wacked!! I saw it the day after Katrina - what a mess. How'd y'alls store fair?

[Javlin]

Lost three stores in all our sales are way up.Look at how many parts houses went down and the number of cars damaged and on top of that I last 1/2 of the staff.Things are moving in the right direction though.Yea Frank P came by Sunday to busy to really talk with him though.

[Ixolib]

Lost three stores in all our sales are way up.Look at how many parts houses went down and the number of cars damaged and on top of that I lost 1/2 of the staff.Things are moving in the right direction though.Yea Frank P came by Sunday to busy to really talk with him though.

Hmmmmmmmm... Been thinking I need to start looking for another job kinda soon since my 90-day paycheck from Grand Gulfport will run out the end of November. It's just still very surreal to consider that I worked there for 10 years, and it all came to an immediate and absolute halt on 08/29.

Walked out on Friday afternoon having no clue that come Monday I'd probably never see or talk to many of the friends and associates I'd become so close to over the years. Very strange and surreal situation indeed.

I wonder what kind of experience an Autozone newbie has to have??

[Rocketman]

Ixolib, my daugther's '85 Cutlass Cierra floated across the yard in Ancient Oaks. We dried her out, I drained the fluids, sprayed WD40 on everything under the hood, shop-vac'd the interior, changed the plugs after spinning the engine over and over to expel water, replaced the starter, battery and alternator. I actually got it going, but that's when it got really frustrating. Unexplainable intermittent problems, mostly electrical, finally persuaded me to give up on this car. I'm not a quitter, and I worked on this car every day I could, after work, on weekends since the storm. It was my daughter's only car, she's a student at MGCCC, and has a job. It finally broke down for the umpteenth time at the worst place, at the top of the Wilkes Bridge on Lorraine road, at the worst time. My daughter called me in tears, mad and frustrated. That's when I left work, picked her up on the side of the road and left that nightmare right there forever.

We pooled our money and bought her a cute little red Toyota convertible for 1000 bucks. We're now in the process of getting tags and insurance while she bums rides.

Don't throw away your money. Find something new. Look at it this way, you now know what a flood car looks and smells like, and won't be fooled.

Best of luck to you.

[Ixolib]

Ixolib, my daugther's '85 Cutlass Cierra floated across the yard in Ancient Oaks. We dried her out, I drained the fluids, sprayed WD40 on everything under the hood, shop-vac'd the interior, changed the plugs after spinning the engine over and over to expel water, replaced the starter, battery and alternator. I actually got it going, but that's when it got really frustrating. Unexplainable intermittent problems, mostly electrical, finally persuaded me to give up on this car. I'm not a quitter, and I worked on this car every day I could, after work, on weekends since the storm. It was my daughter's only car, she's a student at MGCCC, and has a job. It finally broke down for the umpteenth time at the worst place, at the top of the Wilkes Bridge on Lorraine road, at the worst time. My daughter called me in tears, mad and frustrated. That's when I left work, picked her up on the side of the road and left that nightmare right there forever.

We pooled our money and bought her a cute little red Toyota convertible for 1000 bucks. We're now in the process of getting tags and insurance while she bums rides.

Don't throw away your money. Find something new. Look at it this way, you now know what a flood car looks and smells like, and won't be fooled.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the story, Rocket. Your experience, I believe, speaks volumes. Glad you daughter is back up and running!! No more tears...

[HurriCat]

Sounds like the car is "BER", which is our old Tech-Repair's departmental moniker for Beyond Economical Repair. It'd cost a fortune to restore that vehicle. We'd be talking "American Hotrod" Or "OverHaulin" stuff, with the car stripped to the chassis and basically everything replaced. The salt water was especially bad news. There'll be rust with rust spots of its' own! These other posts are right on - there is nothing as frustrating as an intermittent electrical issue. Your whole car is now an intermittent breeding ground. So , like a tired old VCR - Whee! Off to the junkyard. Best Wishes, though. This will be a good story some day, and the sting will have faded.