Life Hacks That Will Save a Flooded Car

[@scottykilmer]

⬇️Things used in this video: 1. Ratchet and socket set: amzn.to/2inoxOY 2. Mechanic’s Tool Set: amzn.to/2Bzmccg 3. Wrench Set: amzn.to/2kmBaOU 4. Shop Towels: amzn.to/2jGDfkA 5. Disposable Gloves: amzn.to/2zSRuxO 6. Common Sense 7. Full HD Camera: amzn.to/2AvoEk7 8. My computer for editing / uploading: amzn.to/2i2sKYz 9. Video editing software: amzn.to/2jv5Fhf 10. Thumbnail software: amzn.to/2k7tz6C 🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend: www.amazon.com/shop/scottykilmer ❗️Check out the Scotty store: goo.gl/RwhRGU 👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics: goo.gl/ohy2cA

[@stephaniethomas4362]

Scotty Kilmer hey I flooded my car on the 4th while I was driving and I've replaced the oil and filter, bought a new air filter, and new spark plugs but it still won't start. Though they just put the new spark plugs in They didn't try to start it first without them to let the pressure out I didn't know to do that. It still won't start though, so would u happen to know what I could try next? The check engine light went off though but that's it. It was trying to start after we changed the spark plugs but now its just clicking again. Thank you sorry it's so long

[@daedrianmcfarland4830]

Scotty Kilmer hey Scott I’m thinking bout buying a 2018 flooded mustang you think I should and try to get somebody to work on it

[@rayancash338]

Pro tip : you can watch movies at Flixzone. I've been using them for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@brodieenrique1003]

@Rayan Cash Yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself =)

[@meikasroom851]

I like this guy. Short, sweet and to the point.

[@ZCAR355]

Generic Gaming Channel yep, you, me and 1.1 million subscribers! Great guy!

[@edgarherrera9400]

The knowlegde

[@alanmanning8987]

Thank you so much for your advice , I rescued my car that I was told was a write off due to flood damage It now runs better than before with no adverse affects It was a bit of a challenge to dry it inside but why send a perfectly good car to the scrapyard due to fresh water even my mechanics were not interested in sorting it out Oil change , new plugs ,new filters after spinning the engine over with the plugs out , a good spray with WD40 and she is fine I do not think that soggy carpets are too difficult to fix And I did it all myself Nice one my friend

[@NidalRashid]

How ls the car doing now? What about the interior and electronics? Did it get flooded? Which car?

[@scottykilmer]

hope you have full coverage, cause mainly they are totalled if water got high. If you don't have coverage, remove all the spark plugs and the air filter and try cranking, that would empty water out of the engine and then PRAY electronics aren't all trashed. good luck

[@flynn88MN]

Never had to deal with a flooded car, but this is excellent knowledge so I know ahead of time. Watching that engine crank with the plugs out was freakin awesome!

[@marctronixx]

@1:09 thats what she said... (sorry couldn't resist)...

[@MarioPerez-qv2pz]

LMAOOOO😂😂

[@RukarioEnterprisesLLC]

XD lol very funny

[@Danialdaneshmand]

Dammn that's not something you hear everyday

[@grandboygb]

😂😂😂

[@sjlp0716]

and if you pull it out an see that there's droplets in it then something got in it 😂😂

[@auxiliaryschmidt4373]

Sad about that volvo, you can pick up both of the computers for that car for about $75 total. They last forever!

[@JaimeNavidad]

Auxiliary Schmidt which year was this Volvo made on?

[@mexicoford]

745: (1984)1990-1992.

[@brandonwright2067]

Auxiliary Schmidt Volvos last forever because there always broke down in your driveway

[@JaimeNavidad]

mexicoford makes sense. These were among the first EFI mass production cars on the road then

[@chadainsley522]

Jaime Navidad looks like a 940, so 91-95. That one has the facelift so 93-95

[@justinh7099]

Scotty was ahead of his time. A true legend

[@Deangelo21530]

Scotty Kilimer is so SMART!! I wish I was a PRO Mechanic just like him!!

[@fudk_off1312]

one does not simply... kill a volvo

[@automan224]

TehKillerKitteh Volvo the Nokia of automobiles

[@fudk_off1312]

pretty much

[@SURENITY]

automan224 Nothern Europe RULES!!

[@joshuab464]

Outdated Tastes I bought my volvo used @180k worst decision

[@Itsme-sr8rp]

stay 2onn volvos are the best FUCKING IDJOTS

[@drwisdom1]

Back around 2008 it rained really hard while I was in bowling league. I came out to find the parking lot flooded and I had parked at the low point. The filthy water was 3/4 up the wheels and had been seeping in through the bottom of the doors. There was about 4 inches of water on the floor in my 2006 GTI. Everyone was wandering around and I asked two young guys with beers if they would help me push my car onto dry land. We rolled up our pants and waded in. I opened the hatch which was still above the water line and shifted the car into neutral. We pushed the car up next to the bowling alley where we shop-vaced out the dirty water. The next day I went back with towels and sopped up as much remaining water as possible and then let it dry in the sun for awhile. I hadn't seen this video so I started the car and drove it home instead of towing. I stripped out the interior (seats, console, trim, gas pedal, etc.) and extracted the carpet and insulation and washed them in my front yard in a kiddie pool. Put everything back and the car was as clean as new, better than before I got flooded. The only cost was my labor and I had to buy a new satellite receiver which is under the passenger seat ($20 off ebay). I don't use satellite radio, but the receiver is needed for the dashboard compass to work. I am still driving the same car today and it has never had a problem related to the flood. In fact in 11 years it has never had a problem requiring me to bring it in for service. Everything that had gone wrong I have been able to fix cheaply myself. From this experience I learned that flooding might ruin a vehicle or it might just make it dirty and cause almost no harm. If it is the latter and you can get it for a low price, it is a very good deal.

[@architchatrath4361]

My car recently got flooded and I am not able to get the odour out. Can you please suggest something that help remove the bad odour from the car

[@drwisdom1]

@@architchatrath4361 The only hope is do as I did. Floodwater is really dirty. The upside of the process is the car becomes like the day is was sold new. But it is enough work you would never do it unless you get flooded. It requires a garage and three days of work/drying.

[@scottykilmer]

@Taunuslunatic yes, the piston rods if you want to be more precise, they can bend, but the pistons themselves also can be damaged by breaking the wrist pins.

[@tripsadelica]

Scotty...I love your videos. You always have a "don't sweat it / no stress" tone. A couple of years ago a flash flood (during a really heavy downunder thunderstorm) sent water pouring down my driveway and into my garage to a level of about 60 cm. (around 2 feet). The water penetrated the door seals and water got into the car. The water did NOT get into the engine, thank God! I was at my wit's end as to what to do so I contacted Mitsubishi Australia (the car is an 2004 V6 Mitsubishi Magna...built in Australia and also exported to the US as a "Mitsubishi Diamante"). The Mitsubishi person I spoke to was an old-time mechanic who'd been with the company since the factory was owned by Chrysler back in the '60s. He gave me some great advice which I'd like to share with your viewers. 1/ If you know the engine is okay (following Scotty's guide above) the the quickest and safest way to dry-out your interior before any carpet rot sets in is to follow the directions to follow. 2/ Drop a quarter cup of toilet-type scented disinfectant (NOT BLEACH) into each footwell and swish the water around to mix it. This will kill off any bacteria in the water...important in stopping the rot process. After ten or so minutes scoop as much water as you can out by hand using a jug or whatever you can find to the job. 3/ Go and hire a carpet steam cleaning unit from your local supermarket or any place that hires them out. (In Australia, the big supermarket companies have them for hire at the front of the store) Use the unit to draw out as much water in the car's carpet as you can. Then use the steam function (with the supplied cleaning fluid) and steam the crap out of the carpets and any seat fabric which may have been doused as well. Do the whole cleaning process until hardly any more water is being dragged into the dirty water receptacle. 4/ Buy four bags of silicate kitty litter from the supermarket and put one bag in each footwell of the car (assuming it's a sedan). If you have a wagon put two extra bags in the load area. If you have a sedan and water got into the boot (the "trunk", as you guys call it) steam clean it and use another bag or so of the kitty litter. 5/ Leave the car parked in the sun with all windows cranked down about a half inch (to let evaporated water out) and your vents open. Give the kitty litter about two days to do the job of sucking the water out of the carpets and underfelt. If, after two days, you can still feel water in the carpets or even just a little moisture, then replace the kitty litter with a new batch. Shovel the old stuff out first and put it in your recycling bin. Wait another couple of days. 6/ Shovel the kitty litter out, vacuum up the remaining annoying bits and then sprinkle a few drops of "Nilodour" in the car. You should be good to go. To make doubly-sure you get all the water , put a couple of Damp Rid canisters into the car each night for three or four days. Your car should now be bone-dry inside at this stage. The Mitsubishi guy told me not to worry about underfloor rust as most car companies used a type of sealing tar on the floorpanels these days before installing the carpet. The ONLY worry you might have (which will be evident if the car wont crank despite the engine being okay, or random "check engine" lights come on) is whether or not you car's ECU got water inside its case. If that's so, take the ECU out (most of them unplug), open the casing (DO NOT TOUCH ANY CIRCUITRY INSIDE...EVER), spill out the water and leave the unit to dry out in the sun for an hour or so and then buy a spray can of "Co Contact Cleaner) and spray the interior of the ECU liberally. Drain any remaining fluid and leave the ECU in the sun or in a warm room for a couple of hours. Reassemble it, plug it back in and see if the engine starts and runs without any further warnings. Also check that your brake light switch works by getting someone to look at your tailights as you hit the pedal. Most switches are a bit awkward to get out but their cases can be opened and cleaned with Co Contact Cleaner as well and then reinstalled. I hope this long-winded diatribe helps folks in this situation. It sure helped me and my car is still running sweetly as these years later. Don't thank me...thank Mitsubishi Australia. :)

[@helivesonforever]

+tripsadelica Good tips, but I really recommend that you pull all the seats out, and the carpet out as well. Pressure wash the carpet and let it dry for 2 weeks. The seats are tricky, and it is even harder to clean them if they have airbags in them, or if they're power. Speaking of electricity, you need to go through ALL the wiring harnesses that were exposed to water, and clean them out with electronics cleaner. If any of them are corroded, cut and solder a new end on. If water penetrated the dash, you have to pull it out as well. A few inches of water isn't the end of the world if you fix it right.

[@tripsadelica]

Pulling the seats out is a good idea as well as pulling out the carpets. I suppose I was lucky in that the water which got into my car was clean rainwater. Had it been salt water or drain water then I think I would have done exactly as you say.

[@helivesonforever]

tripsadelica Absolutely, fresh water really isn't the end of the world. Honestly, salt water isn't either if you clean it up right away. Up north here, we drive our cars on that crap all the time, and we pay the price. Our cars rust from the inside out anyway, so a saltwater flood would do the same thing, just at an accelerated rate. I would still pull your carpet up just a little bit on the passenger side just to see if the floorboards are still damp. Although you think they're dry, the pad can hold water for months, even years. Just pop off one of the trim pieces, and reach under the carpet and pad. Make sure it is dry all the way to the middle or something.

[@tripsadelica]

I'll give it a shot, thanks. Fortunately when my car was flooded it was in the middle of a stinking hot summer and so leaving the car out in the hot sun did wonders for it.

[@helivesonforever]

tripsadelica That sure will. Sometimes carpet padding is located in between sound deadening material though. No matter what you do, it will retain moisture. The only way to dry it out is to remove it, and hang it up for a few days. Normally you will find this in the transmission tunnel hump if you have a truck, and in any area that has the exhaust running right underneath it.

[@hanskinslo326]

2:10 - I'm horrified at the water shooting out of that car.

[@SonnyGTA]

Han Skinslo at least you weren’t offended.

[@mattg5878]

Han Skinslo it’s fuel as well at water

[@Zwikster]

These vids are all so awesome from the camera angles to the editing to Scotty's enthusiasm. Gotta love it!

[@cybaneticcybanetic441]

hi Scotty, I am an electronics graduate. next time if the car is flooded, just remove the battery terminal as quick as you can, take out the computer box, open it and let it dry and it will work well after it has dried out, you might need to spray it with a corrosion protector after that so that the soldered joints won't corrode. the way water kills electronics is by short-circuiting them. what i said works for all electronics, even if your phone gets into the water, quickly switch it off or take off the battery if possible(way better) and then disassemble it and let it dry for at least a day and you'll be good to go. im a big fan of your videos and i just had to add.

[@topollillo4274]

Thanks scotty im doing this to my vehicle once it stops raining here in houston got flooded today

[@philippewynne]

I live in Houston too. My car was in flood water and stalled as I was driving. Hope I can get a it back running it's my only vehicle.

[@scottykilmer]

@fixinggrace yes, disconnect all the connectors, clean em out, and put dielectrical grease on em to prevent corrosion

[@collinsup]

The Volvo could have lived...those computers go for $30

[@funnypranker34]

Very funny. No

[@MarantzSt153]

Peter Kapica Actully, yes. i got mine for 25$ from a scrapyard nearby NY. Works great! ;)

[@funnypranker34]

Ok

[@Hollyweed1]

+Peter Kapica Now fuck off!

[@funnypranker34]

dont even go there. Volvos are bank account depleters

[@scottykilmer]

@doctorken2k I never do that anymore, just replace em. modern rotors are so cheap, they warp when resurfaced, or warp soon after from hard braking

[@boscopit]

the water shooting out of the engine was nuts

[@mrjaylesmeister]

I thought this was going to be the other kind of flooding. lol.

[@SonnyGTA]

jay lesmeister 🤷‍♂️

[@SonnyGTA]

jay lesmeister you and comedy....not a good mix.

[@scottykilmer]

try the vac, but really, best to remove the seats and rugs and dry them outside the car. Mold will grow underneath otherwise

[@RussellBooth1977]

That's what happened with my mother when she drove her 2000 model Toyota Corolla into the drink when it flooded over here in Australia a couple of years ago. Instead of driving an extra 10 kilometres, she tried to drive through water which was 1.5 metres deep. We towed it home the next day & the only vehicle which got through there the next day was a truck,it sat there for 24 hours when other roads started to open up. We tried to start it in situ before towing it home,we spun the motor out & the oil had no water in it,I didn't think it would start because the computer was waterlogged. The positive leg on the computers circuit board eroded away as it became the sacrificial anode when underwater but I dried the computer out & soldered a bridging piece in to get the car going. It still needed another computer because the check engine lamp glowed,the airbag module also got damaged & needed replacing. The upholstery needed stripping out & shampooing,I had to replace the air conditioner compressor pulley bearing which also got damaged also. She still drives the car around now,the point is that was a stupid thing to do & that car was inherited from her mother in 2006 after she died.

[@bloodOntheStep]

Hey scotty im in Beaumont and my little truck got flooded thanks for the tips!

[@scottykilmer]

@karattini Yes, any fluid that had water in it needs changing. These didn't get wet so they didnt' need it, no water was inside.

[@FxHnd05]

Love your videos Scotty, Im in Houston too (Stafford/Sugarland side). I remember that soaking we got in January last year, ended up hydro-locking my Equinox driving thru some high water. I pushed it into a nearby parking lot and had my mother come pick me up (tow services everywhere where backed up for hours due to the flooding). Next day I came back with a new air filter, oil filter, oil, plugs, and a little diesel. 1 hr later it was running like a champ again. Lol

[@crand20033]

It's the electronics you have to worry about. A car is just a computer on wheels.

[@marionharris5952]

You have to worry about the engine too. Not just the electronics

[@shagaemblem5412]

Just did this today to my Lexus IS 200t. I only got 20 bucks on me till Thursday so I’m drying the filters with my lasko fan. I checked the oil and it looks fine. I’m less concerned now, Thank you for the information. Houston got hit hard with rain.🤟🏼

[@seanl4056]

Scotty Kilmer im sure this video is about to rise in popularity but before you get bombarded with questions ive got one for ya. I pulled my car out of water a few hours ago. I checked the oil and transmission fluid which appeared normal. A guy who helped me pull the vehicle out said based off those two things i can start the vehicle. In trusting him, I did just that. Car sounded normal. Ton of white smoke and eventually the engine starts sputtering. I know the next obvious step would be to go to a mechanic but i was wondering if you have any more advice as to what i could try. Wait till warmer weather to evaporate the moisture in the exhaust? Or just bring it in the shop. And the air filter is dry as well. Thank you for your time sir -Sean

[@rr153563]

sean l you might want to check out his video on head gasket sealer

[@Adyl007]

Check the plugs

[@gilbertestrada4030]

If you don’t know what your doing. It doesn’t hurt to pay few bucks to an expert to have it check out.

[@scottykilmer]

@moofushu Na, don't touch the brakes and go Slow, then pump em after getting out of the water if you make it.

[@scottykilmer]

yes, where the rods connect to the pistons, but if you have domed pistons it can bend the domes too. Either way, it's bad news.

[@scottykilmer]

because they are much more complex and hydrolocking them can bend piston rods

[@ianburchill4877]

Great vids Mr Kilmer ! I believe every learner on the road should be shown your videos before they hit the road ! Very educational ! Great effort . Thanks !

[@scottykilmer]

@wtawhite I would only take it if the car was free. No saying what kind of damage exists inside the engine. You'd never know until taking it apart.

[@scottykilmer]

good advice if badly flooded, that's why insurance companies total em if water reaches to the dash. NEVER buy one of those if you're looking at used cars.

[@scottykilmer]

@fordbroncodave mufflers don't have bearings, they are aluminized these days, and a little water doesn't damage em.

[@frillynpink]

I wish I had watched this video before I started my car to see if it would start.

[@SulCoCrazy]

Avril Leal ur kidding.....right?

[@secredeath]

Buy a honda

[@kauprikills760]

Hoss Delgado why

[@scottykilmer]

@bfenti NO, it was too far gone soaking for a few days. As volvos have power to the computer all the time, it was shot for good.

[@scottykilmer]

Heck, I've pushed cadillacs in my driveway all by myself. Used to play ice hockey, builds up the legs.

[@linksjerrylikes]

Yay Scotty! A true Buffalonian with the hockey. Me too.

[@eldinoelme1540]

This guy was ahead of everyone not mentioned the quality of a 10 year vid 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

[@ThrashForceOne]

Hahaha, if my mechanic teachers would've watched this I'm pretty sure they would've laughed their asses off. In Sweden you simply don't send a Volvo to the junk yard no matter how messed up it is because we have thousands of ways to fix it!

[@BigAlWillis]

20 years old probably too many miles. sometimes the repair outweighs the vehicles worth.

[@jamesgizasson]

@@BigAlWillis I'm the oddball here, but I'd rather pay thousands to keep my old truck running, than pay tens of thousands for heated seats and a disposable drive train. BTW: 350k miles, runs like a scalded dog, and I can work on it! :3

[@scottykilmer]

Yes.

[@SonnyGTA]

Pull it out, wipe it off....stick it back in. MAN, that can pretty much apply to anything in life!!

[@scottykilmer]

@datpimpinboy replace the fuses and pray, cause if it doesn't work then, it burned it out with a voltage surge

[@davidjames666]

Shouldn't one of the first steps be to take the computers out, and dry the circuit boards with compressed air? I think clearing the mechanical parts of water would be second.

[@jeffbeck3247]

+David James Almost every spot of a car now a days has a circuit board on it. It would cost big bucks to go around doing that to all of them. I bet if you just let the car sit out for a couple days with everything open they would dry out on their own.

[@rayonwilliamssportsandfun2106]

@@jeffbeck3247 would corrode n still b issues

[@scottykilmer]

@69sico96 first, check all the fuses and pray it's just that. Then check the relays if it's not that, and pray it's not a wiring or computer problem.

[@TheMrericmichel]

Thoughts and condolences to all the people who suffered the terrible weather conditions in Texas and the other parts of the world recently. Peace good people.

[@scottykilmer]

@pvongphachanh Na, I don't bother, but you can if you want. Only long extended cranking would do any damage.

[@johnpossum556]

This video is about to get a flood of new views.

[@alfredosanchez2466]

Thats wats up scotty youve been my online guide for over 10 years saving me time and money. You are a RARE Gem

[@ghostxop2101]

lmao "Mr Plow"

[@SonnyGTA]

TheAstro30 Hahahaa. EXACTLY!!

[@EDUARDO12348]

I didnt know Scotty Kilmer was in Houston! awesome thats where I reside. Anyway, so am watching this video, after I started and drove my car. Its running ok, even though the AC went out and 1st gear feels funny.

[@MrFastFox666]

2:08 you call that water?? Looks like someone vomited inside that engine.

[@MrSupercar55]

I think it also contains petrol.

[@MoronicAcid1]

Because cars know how to distinguish between oil, fuel, and water, right?

[@scottykilmer]

@ventureelect Nope, not on this old volvo, it's all shorted out, they stay live and power and dirty water ruin them when mixed.

[@240pixel]

i am surprised that volvo has a computer. I had 1993 Opel that doesn't have one. now I own a volvo so this video is kinda sad

[@sekopiski]

If you had 1993 Opel it had fuel injection and it had a computer.

[@jordancarlson6556]

Mr Plow A genius license plate

[@chichan4127]

REV UP YOUR (outboard) ENGINES!

[@scottykilmer]

@jmoyet you can only do that on old cars, cause now they are all programmed for your individual car and keys, they would never start up a different car.

[@owenwebster9027]

The first Volvo to ever break

[@tylerb8091]

Ive seen my fair share of Effed up Volvos, but I know what you mean. No ship is unsinkable I guess you could say.

[@robglez]

Lmao

[@BOBMAN1980]

2010 Nissan Rogue. I didn't realize it was flooded at first. Started it, went down the road--made it about half a mile or so, then it got going real slow. All the indicator lights--like AWD and so on--came on, I couldn't get the engine to rev in Drive or Reverse, and the RPM meter wasn't indicating any action. Could rev the engine up in Park or N. Headlights wouldn't turn off or go to high beam, though; ever other system--radio, heater, blinkers, etc.--worked. Let it run blowing the heat to help circulate hot air to dry the car out while the tow truck came. Was not able to start it--even get the starter to crank--afterward. Battery is good and seems connected. But I think there's an electrical issue. Have 'full' coverage, but with a total loss, will still be in the hole $3000--meaning I will still have to spend $3000 on something I don't have. Any advice?

[@RodknockRhett]

Check all the fuses. It sounds like some might’ve blown. See if you can get it to turn over by jumping 12v to the starter. If so, do this with the ignition on. It should start. If not, see if the ECU is responding by plugging a scanner into the OBD2 port. If not, get a new computer. Make sure to let the entire car dry. If you do get it started, turn on defrost with the windows up. Let it circulate the dry air and dehumidify the moist air for awhile. Some systems will start working again. Some may not. Setting it to just hot air will work but not as good as defrost. Your AC compressor will run with defrost and act as a dehumidifier. That’s how defrost still works despite having it on cold.

[@cleaningservicespinkay8774]

My dodge magnum 2008 got flooded 2 feet of water Scotty do you think the computer is damage

[@scottykilmer]

probably, but remove it and see if it has water inside, maybe it missed if high enough

[@holdshiftt2run308]

Next time I visit Houston, I will make sure to take my car to Scotty Kilmer.

[@MaskinJunior]

Bit it is a Volvo, it will keep on running.

[@funnypranker34]

The older ones will, but not the newer ones. The new ones are WAY over engineered.

[@MaskinJunior]

Peter Kapica That is a old one, looks like a 7, or maby an 8-series. And I think you are thinking about SAAB.

[@funnypranker34]

No, Saab is making unreliable cars as the modern age comes. The older saabs are wayyyyy better as with most euro brands: overenginnered today, unkillable tanks back then

[@heyj1308]

about me

[@crymoreforme]

its prob a 740 with a b230, put the whole car in a container of rice for a week and it will be fine

[@scottykilmer]

generally that ruins diesel engines as they have tons of compression and the water inside will bend the piston rods.

[@Chthonian121]

Water vs Toyota? Oh please. Good luck nature. Killing a toyota is near impossible. RIP Volvo

[@tylerb8091]

Maybe. If you were referring to the late 80s and before..

[@p3l1k44n1]

Toyotas are trash. Find one that doesn't have terminal rust cancer.

[@SirNoobs]

This is useful information for many people. My car was recently in the flood caused by Hurricane Sandy. Thank you.

[@xeno55555]

"...Can suck water in the engine and bend the pistons..." What? You mean piston rods. I never seen a bent piston...

[@Watcher3223]

Well, obviously you knew he meant the connecting rods and not the pistons themselves. But, his basic point still stands.

[@scottykilmer]

***** yes, piston rods, but pistons themselves can crack and snap from pressure also

[@Watcher3223]

Scotty Kilmer True, particularly aluminum pistons.

[@seanl4056]

Scotty Kilmer im sure this video is about to rise in popularity but before you get bombarded with questions ive got one for ya. I pulled my car out of water a few hours ago. I checked the oil and transmission fluid which appeared normal. A guy who helped me pull the vehicle out said based off those two things i can start the vehicle. In trusting him, I did just that. Car sounded normal. Ton of white smoke and eventually the engine starts sputtering. I know the next obvious step would be to go to a mechanic but i was wondering if you have any more advice as to what i could try. Wait till warmer weather to evaporate the moisture in the exhaust? Or just bring it in the shop. And the air filter is dry as well. Thank you for your time sir -Sean

[@p3l1k44n1]

@sean l , It depends on the car. But in your case, i'd just drive it until it's at operating temperature and see how it runs. Since the oils are okay and the air filter is dry, you should have no problems. The exhaust pipe is probably full of water so running the engine to operating temperature will help clear that problem out. Normally exhaust pipes do get some moisture inside them and in some cases even have a puddle of water inside the muffler. It's all normal. As long as the engine functions normally after you warmed it up and ran it a couple of times, you should be okay.

[@scottykilmer]

@mystiqueman366 nope, I took the seats and rugs out, cleaned and dried em, now it's all done and no smell.

[@Yewon2001]

All flooded cars should be junked. A flooded car is basically rotting from the inside out. It's not safe

[@scottykilmer]

I totally agree, but there are evil swine out there selling flooded cars all the time.

[@Yewon2001]

Scotty Kilmer I just wish the video would've made that made clear. It almost made it seem like "well as long as its not sucked up in the engine then its ok" at least that's the impression I got.

[@enja001]

you can save em it just takes a lot of effort

[@FLABEX224]

It really depends, if the water is only 1-4 inches deep structurally the car will be fine, after all a car is made to withstand water. However if it's been sitting in water for a while it's probably started rusting

[@SuperJeremi10]

Yewon2001 my car just got flooded and i had all the water vacuumed out after the flood and had it towed to a shop to asses the damage it wasnt running when it happened i got everything really dry and cleaned we used carpet cleaner and cleaned it got it bout as dry as when you would have it cleaned at a car wash im haveing all the fluids changed the air filter and the pcm checked before cranking.

[@scottykilmer]

@Jakstr1981 yea, but the computer was just the tip of the iceberg, all the electronics were crapping out on this old volvo. It's resting in a field now with a bunch of older cars waiting to be reanimated.

[@scottykilmer]

@hp11208 I'm driving it around now seeing if anything else goes wrong electronically.

[@TrailVapor]

If the flooded engine can start, run although idling rough high, can it PERHAPS be saved by crank/plugs out & oil flush/changes?

[@scottykilmer]

find and fix the water leak in the windshield or car drains that may be clogged with leaves (most cars drain under the bottom of the front fenders and the drain holes get clogged at the the bottom where the water should drain out.)

[@Backyardmech1]

Scotty got it all right. One note is if you see your oil level WAY higher than normal, don’t start it. Pull the drain plug before you suck water into your engines oil pump.

[@scottykilmer]

@benefactionhindrance this was a flash flood, didn't last 20 minutes, so both cars had fine brakes.

[@scottykilmer]

many things can do that, of course check the spark plugs and wires and replace them if old. But if not, try my video "how to clean fuel injectors on your car"

[@scottykilmer]

@Boasandpythons yes, sometimes even years later the corrosion builds up enough to cause problems.

[@scottykilmer]

@Vappi94 gasoline vapors and air mixing in the engine compress by the pistons. But water getting into the engine does not compress much at all, it's hard. So the piston rods bend and break instead.

[@scottykilmer]

@TypicalUser7 not if the cap is on tight, it's a sealed system.

[@babyfaceseattle]

Thank you Scotty, You the best! saved people's budget and vehicle! Nobel Price to Scotty Kilmer!!

[@scottykilmer]

that was a toyota, and it was flooded too, and runs like a top now. The volvo was taken by a guy who collects old cars in his back lot, he has many sitting there awaiting what may.

[@scottykilmer]

@sm2by they're not on the floor in this model.

[@scottykilmer]

@moogmanXanders there's a LOT more wrong with that old volvo than a wet computer, the whole electronic system got damaged, tons more than the worth of the car to fix it correctly. It was towed away by a guy who collects old cars and sits on em decades before he sometimes fixes a few of em.

[@scottykilmer]

@mds2465 NA, you can't do that when it runs everything like spark and fuel injection. You can bypass certain things, but not those.

[@scottykilmer]

@Hypnotisk sure, but basically you have to see a mechanic, cause you need a dealer level scan tool to work and repair such systems. I have one, but most people don't.

[@scottykilmer]

@Garybe441 just have clean oil in the engine, but if it fails the test, try a gallon of lacquer thinner in half a tank of gas and drive it 100 miles to clean things out

[@scottykilmer]

@cperalta92 yes, that can be done too, but once they get water in em , car computers are normally trash as they are powered up all the time, even when the car is shut off.

[@hrufhduehveugrhhty2024]

10 years ago, Scotty was energetic as hell. History will be yours.

[@scottykilmer]

yes, definitely

[@scottykilmer]

@Hyeclasscomps NO, you got electronics wet, try drying em out with WD 40 spray

[@scottykilmer]

@oneyaker oh, it went to a yard where the guy fixes them up over time, sometimes years later.

[@prashantonta8103]

He is way too cool for his age and profession! Keep up the good work guv'nor!!!

[@scottykilmer]

houston, and I work on em here monday thru friday near downtown houston

[@Classicgamershq]

Scotty Kilmer Official Pickup Line: Hey baby. If you were my car and got flooded, ide....."Pull it out, wipe it off, and stick it back in."

[@d3fc0nz]

Scotty kilmer you are the man!

[@mvlad7402]

Good instruction of flooded cars fix. Volvo computer is easy to find. Original one should be fine as well, connectors might need to be fixed with crc connectors contacts cleaner

[@scottykilmer]

no, the water just comes out of the holes from where the spark plugs were, that little bit won't hurt anything

[@shepd3]

Don't forget to check the rest of the fluids. Transmission and gear oil especially may have water in them. Depending on the height, best to check the power steering and brake fluid too. Might want to lube the chassis while you're at it as well.

[@larchee07]

@briansmobile1 ....the vacuum does't 'pull' the moisture out. the drop in pressure decreases the boiling point of the water in the computer, and the water simply evaporates. Reverse effect of an engine cooling system. cheers.

[@scottykilmer]

yep, downtown off Montrose