Drowned Pajero

[Davedusty]

A number of years ago we had a Tazz that got 'drowned'. It had 6000km on the clock and insurance were not prepared to live with a drowned car and replaced the vehicle. I don't think your insurance will repair.

[4ePajero]

I would insist on it being scrapped.
I would tell my insurance beforehand that I will NOT be signing a "happy letter", if they decide to try and repair it.

[Alan Sampson]

Hi Guys

Thanks very much for all the comprehensive advice and info.

It is fully insured, and it was fresh water.

Unfortunately, it had a new sub assembly only 70000km ago, so it would/should have been good for many more miles... Also recently replaced all the relays etc. To get the 4wd working again - R25k job....

Any, if insurance offers to write iff, i will probably accept that.

Thanks again for the replies; very interesting...

Sounds like a huge project to save her - pity!!

[jonoB]

Hi Guys

Thanks very much for all the comprehensive advice and info.

It is fully insured, and it was fresh water.

Unfortunately, it had a new sub assembly only 70000km ago, so it would/should have been good for many more miles... Also recently replaced all the relays etc. To get the 4wd working again - R25k job....

Any, if insurance offers to write iff, i will probably accept that.

Thanks again for the replies; very interesting...

Sounds like a huge project to save her - pity!!

So sad about your Paj...
As previously mentioned, try buy it back and turn it into a toy? Strip the interior and make it a "play" thing?

[clivemd]

Take syringe, pull the pusher tube out halfway, dunk the whole syringe under water...
Yes water could enter the engine, but unlikely if it was not running... You would see I said he must first check that it was free of water...

The gearbox will have water ingress yes. I agree and never stated that it would not.

The engine breather pipe? Do you mean the snorkel?

I spent my last 34 yrs commercial diving and seen how water gets into nearly everything once submerged even by half a meter, unless the intake and exhorts was kept above surface or any vents water will find its way in even via the dipstick
So yes water will be in the engine

[Alan Exton]

The water-logged wiring harnesses would be my main concern.

Claim from insurance, buy the wreck and break for parts.

I agree, write it off and start over. You dont really want to fix this car. It will drive you crazy in the future. Buy the salvage if you feel up to it and strip for spares.

[dumied]

The very last sentence should have been the opener here.

This is what i have learned since i had drowned my Ford Courier 4WD V6 about 20 years ago.

Do not turn the engine over with the key, even if plugs removed.
Put it in gear and push it first to get the most water out, then crank it.

Remove the air filter , if there is water present, there will be water in the engine.
If the entire engine was submerged, there will be water in it.
If it stood like this for a short while, you will have to strip off the intake and tappet covers
to clean off the rust and dirt. Flush the engine.

The cambelt tensioners might have water damage if it was standing in water for a while.
The clutch should be fine if submerged.

Drain all fluids, and replace. If milkshake, flush couple of times.
The radiator might be blocked with mud.

The electrical system will be a nightmare, clean the fusebox with plenty electrical contact cleaner.
Your Alternator might be clogged with mud. Check all connectors. The ECU might be damaged.

Remove all door panels and boot panels, clean properly in the crevices.

If your vehicle was submerged in salt water , let the insurance scrap it.

[rodneykdc]

I would insist on it being scrapped.
I would tell my insurance beforehand that I will NOT be signing a "happy letter", if they decide to try and repair it.

The insured value of a 2003 vehicle is going to be nauseatingly low 🙈🙈🙈

[4ePajero]

The insured value of a 2003 vehicle is going to be nauseatingly low 🙈🙈🙈

That's exactly why I suggested that he buys the wreck and break it for parts.

[lifeboy]

I will not crank it before the oil is drained (and water). New filter and oil. Then you can can remove the Injectors and get the water out.

Why would water get into the engine? It's a diesel and it seems logical to me that the only way to get water into the engine would be if it was running when the water flooded it.

[Paul#25]

Why would water get into the engine? It's a diesel and it seems logical to me that the only way to get water into the engine would be if it was running when the water flooded it.

The sump and bottom end of the motor isn't sealed, it has vents. There will be some exhaust and inlet valves that will be open, even only slightly. The water will have found its way into all parts of the motor. As was posted earlier by the member that is a commercial diver, the motor will be full of water.

[Reenen]

Why would water get into the engine? It's a diesel and it seems logical to me that the only way to get water into the engine would be if it was running when the water flooded it.

N stilstaande engine het altyd van valves oop. Maak nie saak of intake of exhaust valves, as n valve oop is, sal water of deur intake of deur exhaust bo pistons in kom.
Net so sal water deur breather pyp by intake pyp net na lugfilter in kom en crankcase (maw olie) vol water maak.

[4ePajero]

Why would water get into the engine? It's a diesel and it seems logical to me that the only way to get water into the engine would be if it was running when the water flooded it.

I would bet a few bob on the fact that at least one combustion chamber and the sump are flooded with water.

[Janbakkie]

Hi Guys

Advice please... My 2003 Pajero diesel was drowned up to roof level in the recent Cape floods. It was standing idle at the time with the battery disconnected. What needs doing (apart from cleaning - everything covered in silt!).
Eg. Air cleaner, oil, fuel??

Eish!

Thanks
Alan Sampson

If you do any form of work on the vehicle, even recovering it off the beach or wherever it was, the insurance will use it as an excuse and will deny all liability. They want to assess first. Idiots.

[Surfer01]

My son is a game ranger and during a flood one of the Toyotas ended up being submerged to top of doors for 3 days. They dragged it out and towed to onsite workshop. Mechanic did a clean and the darn thing started with no issue! Everyone was quite surprised that no major work was required.

[m0lt3n]

please keep us updated?

[kamanya]

Does insurance have it?

If I may ask, if they did, what did you settle for?