Engine replaced after flood damage, likely issues?

[Parisien]

Looking for a car for my wife, one has come up having the engine replaced after flood damage ie water got in through air filter, what are the things to check, look for, or any advice as to the likelihood of future issues, or should I walk on by!?


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[Pericoloso]

Who replaced engine ?.... Main dealer,Indy or Billy Bodger ?
New or used engine ?

[Parisien]

Pericoloso said:

Who replaced engine ?.... Main dealer,Indy or Billy Bodger ?
New or used engine ?

Good questions, must ask for clarity , but not main dealer, 2nd hand engine, recent MOT.

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[steve-5snwi]

Flood damage as in it sat in a big puddle of water or was driven through a big puddle of water ? Any issue with the electrics, damp interior etc ?

[Thats What She Said]

Any service history will be pretty much worthless.

Gamble on the engine as it has no provenance.

You pays yer money, you takes yer chances.

[DuraAce]

Parisien said:

Good questions, must ask for clarity , but not main dealer, 2nd hand engine, recent MOT.

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Depends on provenance of the engine (what can be proved , not what a seller tells you)

Service histidine is almost worthless, what if the donor engine has 200k more miles?!

[anonymous-user]

Unless its cheapy cheap (compared to others) or is a rare car that's worth spending on then I'd keep looking.

The engine is the key component in a car so why buy one with big question marks hanging over it?

[Mr Tidy]

I'd give that a miss, unless it was dirt cheap and that left me with a bork fund!

[Parisien]

Yes, agree to all those issues and caveats raised, will be chatting garage later this morning to see if I will take it further, thanks for replies, will update thread too.

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[Toed64]

Make sure that the gearbox and transmission oils have been changed too.

BMWs, for example, let water into the diff and auto gearboxes through the breathers if the underside of the car is submerged for only a few minutes.

Ask whether the alternator and starter motors were changed. I repaired a Toyota Hilux that had been totally submerged (over the roof, just like Top Gear, but in fresh water). All mechanicals were 100% fine, but bother the starter and alternator died in the next few months. I sold the car to a friend who drove it for another 100,000 miles without any more trouble.

Is the car you are considering a CAT S, or N? Remember that any vehicle that is on the VCAR register is worth 25% to 40% less than those that are not. It does not mean that they are any less worthy!

Very few main dealers would have been authorised to repair a flood damged car: almost all cars that have water damage are written off immediately by the insurance companies.

Why do so many people trust main dealers more than any other dealer?

[Parisien]

Ok, its a water ingress via airbox aperture only, ie too close to ground, all changed out bar alternator. Done by some one whose a decent reputation and proper garage. No codes/lights showing everything works.

Checking it out at 3pm ish.

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[Parisien]

Had a decent test drive 30 odd mins, on back roads, hard acceleration, hard breaking , bad surfaces, stop starting, idling for 15 mins etc, could find no faults, but we couldn't agree a price, will see if it develops in any way over the next week, 10 days.

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