Flood Damage - BMW X1
Discussion
I’m going through a bit of a nightmare today following a moment of stupidity yesterday.
I drove my wife’s BMW X1 (2 litre diesel) through some flood water which was about 1.5’ deep. The car cut-out in the water, but did restart and run fine momentarily. A local towed me out of the puddle, but the car wouldn’t restart after that.
The electrics seem fine, there are no warning lights on the dash and the car will crank, just not start.
I had the insurance company recover the car into storage yesterday because no garages were open. I’ve spoken to them this morning and they’ve straight away said that it’ll be a total loss and said they’ll offer a valuation by the end of the week.
Now, I’m not a mechanic, but I don’t think the engine is hydro locked. There was no oil loss, signs of water in the oil and even the air filter was fairly dry. I dont think the engine would crank either if it were hydro locked.
So, I’m assuming that the problem is likely the starter motor, which is near the bottom of the engine, or with the ignition system somewhere having got wet.
I guess at this stage, I’m just trying to work out if it’s worth trying to fix the car, or to just say goodbye to it. I know that I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but I’m worried about a big bill for a new car looming.
Appreciate any knowledge or advice that anyone can impart.
I drove my wife’s BMW X1 (2 litre diesel) through some flood water which was about 1.5’ deep. The car cut-out in the water, but did restart and run fine momentarily. A local towed me out of the puddle, but the car wouldn’t restart after that.
The electrics seem fine, there are no warning lights on the dash and the car will crank, just not start.
I had the insurance company recover the car into storage yesterday because no garages were open. I’ve spoken to them this morning and they’ve straight away said that it’ll be a total loss and said they’ll offer a valuation by the end of the week.
Now, I’m not a mechanic, but I don’t think the engine is hydro locked. There was no oil loss, signs of water in the oil and even the air filter was fairly dry. I dont think the engine would crank either if it were hydro locked.
So, I’m assuming that the problem is likely the starter motor, which is near the bottom of the engine, or with the ignition system somewhere having got wet.
I guess at this stage, I’m just trying to work out if it’s worth trying to fix the car, or to just say goodbye to it. I know that I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but I’m worried about a big bill for a new car looming.
Appreciate any knowledge or advice that anyone can impart.
Written off because the water will continue to move around by capillary action in your wiring.
This time next year when your trying to park amongst the school children and shoppers etc., the water shorting out will/may ask your car to redline. You can guess the rest.
I've never heard of a modern car with flood damage going back on the road.
Hope your claim goes alright, I've read that Insurance companies wont pay out on flood damage if the drivers been stupid?
Good Luck!
This time next year when your trying to park amongst the school children and shoppers etc., the water shorting out will/may ask your car to redline. You can guess the rest.
I've never heard of a modern car with flood damage going back on the road.
Hope your claim goes alright, I've read that Insurance companies wont pay out on flood damage if the drivers been stupid?
Good Luck!
Thanks for your response.
Your explanation wasn’t sited as one of the reasons for total loss by the insurer. They sites replacement engine (which I don’t believe it needs) and replacement interior (which it definitely doesn’t need).
The example you give seems quite extreme. I’ve not heard of this happening personally and would need the water to overcome any insulation etc to cause a short.
I don’t know how you’re defining my driving as being potentially ‘stupid’ - furthermore, I don’t know how an insurer would reach that conclusion either. They have confirmed that flood damage is covered by my policy though.
Your explanation wasn’t sited as one of the reasons for total loss by the insurer. They sites replacement engine (which I don’t believe it needs) and replacement interior (which it definitely doesn’t need).
The example you give seems quite extreme. I’ve not heard of this happening personally and would need the water to overcome any insulation etc to cause a short.
I don’t know how you’re defining my driving as being potentially ‘stupid’ - furthermore, I don’t know how an insurer would reach that conclusion either. They have confirmed that flood damage is covered by my policy though.
rsbmw said:
If you're confident it can be fixed cheaply, take the payout and buy it back for buttons due to needing "new engine, new interior"
I guess this is what I’m trying to get at...If the engine isn’t hydraulically locked, how likely is it that the repairs will be cost prohibitive (for me or the insurer).
I saw 4 other people suffer the same fate as me in the same flood yesterday. So I guess I was hoping that this is something that lots of others have gone through and might have some wisdom on what may/may not happen now.
milb001 said:
Thanks for your response.
Your explanation wasn’t sited as one of the reasons for total loss by the insurer. They sites replacement engine (which I don’t believe it needs) and replacement interior (which it definitely doesn’t need).
The example you give seems quite extreme. I’ve not heard of this happening personally and would need the water to overcome any insulation etc to cause a short.
I don’t know how you’re defining my driving as being potentially ‘stupid’ - furthermore, I don’t know how an insurer would reach that conclusion either. They have confirmed that flood damage is covered by my policy though.
You have asked for knowledge and opinion. Your explanation wasn’t sited as one of the reasons for total loss by the insurer. They sites replacement engine (which I don’t believe it needs) and replacement interior (which it definitely doesn’t need).
The example you give seems quite extreme. I’ve not heard of this happening personally and would need the water to overcome any insulation etc to cause a short.
I don’t know how you’re defining my driving as being potentially ‘stupid’ - furthermore, I don’t know how an insurer would reach that conclusion either. They have confirmed that flood damage is covered by my policy though.
You have been given both.
Not my fault if you dont like either?
You haven't heard of this happening?
Its very common knowledge.
Your driving was not potentially stupid.
It was very stupid.
You were not in a Land Rover.
A very preventable claim.
In my opinion.
Lets see what others think.
You are in denial. (Or should that be de-Nile?) insurance companies don’t f around with water damage and just write them off for good reason. They may say new engine now but that’s without investigation. What they do know is the car will not start and you said electrical. Mix definite electrical fault cause by taking a bath and that’s why they will not touch it.
Also, down at copart the last cars to be bought are the flood damaged ones.
I’m sorry you had a moment of poor judgement. With insurance it will not cost you too much but don’t waste your time with the notion of fixing your mess. It isn’t going to happen.
Did you at least make it into the daily mail with the caption “$100k luxury BMW stuck in raging flood waters”?
Also, down at copart the last cars to be bought are the flood damaged ones.
I’m sorry you had a moment of poor judgement. With insurance it will not cost you too much but don’t waste your time with the notion of fixing your mess. It isn’t going to happen.
Did you at least make it into the daily mail with the caption “$100k luxury BMW stuck in raging flood waters”?
chrisch77 said:
And concern over public health from contamination from flood waters.
That's an often quoted reason, but the OP doesn't seem to have been told that. If they are contaminated, they're supposed to be destroyed, but someone who bought a brand new Mercedes from a flooded dealer turned up on a forum I use. He disapeared after a while and hadn't got the car going.In the OPs case, if he does want the car, he needs to press the insurer - at the moment just sounds like they've made some sweeping assumptions. I'm sure a lot of cars will have been pushed to dry land, left to dry out, and then appear to be fine.
h0b0 said:
You are in denial. (Or should that be de-Nile?) insurance companies don’t f around with water damage and just write them off for good reason. They may say new engine now but that’s without investigation. What they do know is the car will not start and you said electrical. Mix definite electrical fault cause by taking a bath and that’s why they will not touch it.
Also, down at copart the last cars to be bought are the flood damaged ones.
I’m sorry you had a moment of poor judgement. With insurance it will not cost you too much but don’t waste your time with the notion of fixing your mess. It isn’t going to happen.
Did you at least make it into the daily mail with the caption “$100k luxury BMW stuck in raging flood waters”?
I suppose that I’m struggling a bit to believe that the car has taken on enough water to wreak havoc with the electrics for years to come.Also, down at copart the last cars to be bought are the flood damaged ones.
I’m sorry you had a moment of poor judgement. With insurance it will not cost you too much but don’t waste your time with the notion of fixing your mess. It isn’t going to happen.
Did you at least make it into the daily mail with the caption “$100k luxury BMW stuck in raging flood waters”?
The fuses and ECU are in the cabin, which remained totally dry. The car was in water around 1.5’ deep for a few seconds - only just about covering the number plate.
If it had been submerged at depth or overnight, I think I’d understand, but has it been exposed to anything which it wouldn’t through the course of normal driving, considering road spray and puddle splashes? Vehicle electrics (particularly within engine bays) are protected from water very well nowadays - indeed if I asked my local car wash to do so, they’d successfully jet wash the entire engine bay.
What electrical system could the water have damaged which would prevent the car from starting, but at the same time not throw a warning on the dash?
Has anyone on here actually been through any of this first hand?
milb001 said:
What electrical system could the water have damaged which would prevent the car from starting, but at the same time not throw a warning on the dash?
The circuit that engages the starter is usually relatively simple. If the starter isn't engaging, either an electronic module somewhere is preventing it (which should be easy for a dealer to diagnose) or there's an electrical fault in the circuit (which should be simple for an automotive electrician to diagnose).Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff