NEED ADVISE: Vehicle/Engine submerged in flood water [MERGED]

**arguscane** · October 26th, 2009 12:37 AM

mga sir evening sa inyong lhat, kailangan ko sana ng opinyon nyo....d ko alam kung buo p computer box ko o hnd...hnd dn nman masabi ng electrical na nakuha ko kung ok b sya o hnd...hirap nman pa check sa mga auto electrical shop kc dami tlga nag papagawa. tanong ko lng kung sira b tlga ang computer box kung ayaw magstart ng makina? ano b tlga ang indication kung sira ang isang computer box? any opinion is much appreciated...salamat!

**ehnriko** · October 26th, 2009 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by hammerhead2

is there a way to know if the parts that casas tell you to replace should really be replaced? I have my car under insurance for AOG but it might be causing delay due to the said "unavailability" of parts.

i think dealers tend to make profits by delaying repairs as well. some of the more well-off people have bought new cars because they could not wait. hopefully, casas do not abuse us by further delaying the supposed "parts."

Dealers will nevcer make any profit with the delays they make... they are actually helpless with this event.

The problem is - you as a new car owner is at the mercy of the dealer... and the dealer is at the mercy of the supplier in this case - the Auto maker and its' OEM partners.

The allocation of parts and supplies for your dealer is already set for every year... the flood is unexpected and therefore - cannot be prioritized by suppliers just to mitigate shortage in a small market - the Philippines.

The Casas are helpless themselves. Unless you dont want to let rust work overtime, i would consider asking for a rebate from the casa or dealer if I decide to have my car fixed outside - since it is under AOG coverage and since they cannot handle an expedited service naman.

**ehnriko** · October 26th, 2009 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by arguscane

mga sir evening sa inyong lhat, kailangan ko sana ng opinyon nyo....d ko alam kung buo p computer box ko o hnd...hnd dn nman masabi ng electrical na nakuha ko kung ok b sya o hnd...hirap nman pa check sa mga auto electrical shop kc dami tlga nag papagawa. tanong ko lng kung sira b tlga ang computer box kung ayaw magstart ng makina? ano b tlga ang indication kung sira ang isang computer box? any opinion is much appreciated...salamat!

Your Computer Box is an Electronic Device or Brain aka ECU - which is not designed to work under water nor survive any flood.

IC's are static and grounding sensitive. The moment water sets in - it will short it's circuitry causing damage to the internal hardwire program.

Mapapagana mo lahat ng Electricals mo - pero yung Electronics - medyo malabo na yan.

Since flooded car naman yan at malabong maibalik na yung integridad ng body compared with the flood survivor cars... I suggest you convert it into Mega Squirt ECU VEMS-1, wala ka pang sakit ng ulo.

But since you have already been spending for the revival of your car... go to Speedlab - I believe they have a good reputation when it comes to ECU repairs.

Ang Casa, nag sa subcon or outsource lang when it comes to this... since they do not really repair ECU's... they only remove and replace them. The Osciloscope cannot tell if it is really going to function back to original... it will only tell about signal and electrical input and output readings. in other words... It will not run the same again.

I hope this helps.

If you want to know about mega squirt baka sakali lang na ma realize mo na mas lalaki pa gagastusin mo... here's one of the links... pinoymegasquirt . blogspot . com

nothing to lose by checking it.

**kingV** · October 26th, 2009 05:54 PM

Good day fellow tsikoteers.

The topic of this thread is regarding Advices to flood-submerged vehicles. I have read through the threads & have seen many opinions/comments/suggestions from the tsikoteers with variety of technical knowledge. One thing is accurate though: these flood-submerged vehicles will never perform at the pre-submerged state (even after replacing all that are malfunctioning components now since other problems will surely arise). Even if all wiring harness are replaced, ECU's, relays/ & its boxes & circuitry, etc. The starters, alternators, air compressors & the likes will soon give way also. You may also consider the tensile strength of the chassis, underchassis components, etc. Replacing these all will cost a car owner an amount higher than the value of the vehicle itself. Nothwithstanding the possibility of vehicle breakdowns while in transit, the stress, towing fees, & other incomprehensible risk factors & inconveniences. Later on you'll be burdened with selling a flood submerged vehicle. Buyers these days are knowledgable of the problems a car will have resulting from being submerged in flood.

Allow us to offer you another option: sell your car & use the suppose repair money (which will give you a false security) & just buy another vehicle (just make sure that it hasn't been submerged in flood). Less worries, stress & hassle.

We are willing to buy your car on an as-is-where-is basis. You may contact Ayen at 09XXXXXXXXX. Give your vehicle's description, your contact name & landline telephone, & we'll get back to you with an offer.

**aremvy** · October 27th, 2009 10:13 AM

i have a toyota revo at binaha din. i've got it fix by a mechanic named dennis. he's from mandaluyong. very honest, professional, napakasipag at maayos gumawa. from engine, transmission up to detailing ginagawa niya. kung may kailangang piyesa, ikaw pabibilhan niya o kaya sasamahan kang bibili, hindi tulad ng ibang mechanic na tatagain ka pa pag may bibilhing pyesa.

if you need a mechanic, just call/text him on this no. 09XXXXXXXX
tell him na nirefer ni ryan.

**hammerhead2** · October 27th, 2009 03:38 PM

I have two cars submerged in flood. one is a civic up to just below the steering wheel - it has been classified as an A, which the dashboard was not submerged. I got it in Honda Dasma October 1, paid 5K for towing. Only got Letter of Approval from MAA Oct 14! Mine was the 16th car they got for flooding. Now there is 150 plus in there and I got pushed back because of the delay. I only found out yesterday when I visited the casa. Seats and carpet have been pulled out. Rusting evident in some parts. If only I got the LOA earlier, my car would have been out by next week.

Now, my starex can be accepted in the casa. It was submerged only slightly above the flooring. It still runs. They can start working on it tomorrow. However, the LOA will again take some time. Shall I pay for it first then claim from insurance? Is that a good idea? I cannot miss out on the opportunity on someone working on my car immediately but it might be hard to claim for reimbursement.

**_Qwerty_** · October 27th, 2009 05:04 PM

hindi nag a approve nang reimbursement ang insurance.. gusto nila wag mo muna galawin yung car hanggang hindi nila nakikita.. kasi pag ginalaw mo.. baka ma deny yung claim kahit may AOG ka pa... yan ang sabi sa Standard Insurance.

**ehnriko** · October 27th, 2009 10:41 PM

If your car is new and you have Comprehensive Insurance... always coordinate first with your insurance agent before you decide to have it repaired outside the CASA.

They need to know first what condition your car is in, does it have police report? if it doesn't have one, then at least their official insurance investigator should see it first.

Since your car can't wait to be serviced right away and it need to be dried up inside out... you may demand for your insurance agent to see you right away or just agree for you to conduct emergency works or servicing right away since this will be detrimental to the state of your cars body intergrity as well as it's internal and underpart components including the electricals.

Unless your insurance company agrees to have everything replaced as it is covered in your policy agreement. But the question is... WHEN????

If this is the case, then it is better to leave your car rot or rust by the minute or second as it waits it's turn.

The only certainty is, it will be covered but the rusting and rotting will definitely be accelerated.

The flooded cars with the best resale value or service value will be the ones that have been serviced earlier.

If you realize that you are already in a cut-loss situation... then it's probably better to sell it to those who are in the car exchange business and just buy a new one. This will remove all the headaches... provided you have realized that this is the best move to make.

But if you have the luxury of time, effort and money... and saving your precious investment is more valuable to you than any other options... always make a move that wont go in technical conflict with your insurance coverage.

Unless - you want to break free.

Now if my opinion is taken... I think insurance are useless. Better keep the money you are paying your premiums in the bank as your contingency fund. In case of an emergency - you are free to use it. Insurance for me is like betting for something bad to happen to you. Has anyone ever wondered how much is going to the insurance company?... how much or how many people are really paying or Betting for nothing?.... but of course - this is just me or my opinion... I am not encouraging anyone to think the same way. Just putting more thoughts for everyone to ponder.

Knowledge that turns into Wisdom is true power...

**ghosthunter** · October 27th, 2009 10:56 PM

Well, insurance is betting... betting on statistics that in a certain group of people, only a certain number will have an accident.

But I would rather have my insurance than having to be caught ill-prepared. The only reason why the insurance companies are having a hard time is the sheer volume of claims. In normal days, having insurance on your car is a comfort that repairs on your car will not cost YOU an arm and a leg.

Insurance might be a financial "burden" but not having one might be a bigger headache for typical car owners. If paying P10,000 for car repairs is already painful/stressful ... then imagine having to negotiate settlements, etc when there are more than one party involved. Having an insurance company to cover for you is a comfort.

**ehnriko** · October 27th, 2009 11:37 PM

Thats true...

Specially if the premium is relatively low.

I guess those MB or the like owners with P300K annual premium also thinks it's a safety net of some kind.

But then again, being comfortable is relative.