Car Took on Water Now Knocking. Insurance?

itsdougie on 02/03/2018 - 18:59

The missus was caught in the floods in Canberra she told me she drove down flooded roads. She got back yesterday and I noticed her car is tapping\knocking constantly under load, not as evident in the higher revs but is still there and is not as noticeable inside the car. It drives normal, no smoke, slight misidle but nothing out of the ordinary. it is a 2010 Subaru liberty. I had a look in the engine bay and took out the air filter and it was ok but there was water and some sand at the bottom of the air box. Typical woman, didn’t even notice a thing but she said some water went over the bonnet and the car was ok. The car sounded fine before she left for Canberra.
Took it past a mechanic and they said it will cost a lot to fix.

Should she claim insurance?

Poll Options

  • 15
    Yes
  • 4
    No
Automotive

Comments

  • zathras on 02/03/2018 - 19:04

    Take it to a second mechanic for another quote.

    • itsdougie on 02/03/2018 - 22:42

      Might get her to take it to subaru, i feel they will say the same thing.

  • Ocker on 02/03/2018 - 19:07

    A divorce in the making I reckon!

    • Randxyz123 on 02/03/2018 - 19:34
      +11

      Make sure your lawyer gives her the car :p

  • nocure on 02/03/2018 - 19:46
    +2

    Water in the sump? Do an oil change and inspect and have the oil tested.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2018 - 19:52
    -2

    How deep was the water??

    • itsdougie on 02/03/2018 - 22:46
      +1

      i was told not deep, but she grew up in the NT. Deep for them has a different meaning.

  • Seraphin7 on 02/03/2018 - 19:52
    +2

    Assuming it's covered by insurance, why wouldn't you get it fixed under insurance?

    • itsdougie on 02/03/2018 - 22:47

      I'm only assuming this would be covered under comprehensive cover unless someone tells me otherwise? Can it be claimed?

      • Seraphin7 on 04/03/2018 - 18:07

        Just have a chat with your insurer. They'll be able to tell you if it can be claimed.

  • Slinky0111 on 02/03/2018 - 20:06
    +1

    Change the oil and trade it in

  • iratepirate on 03/03/2018 - 08:25

    Is it a diesel?

  • BobD on 03/03/2018 - 09:24

    water in the fuel tank? I thought these were sealed so I can't even guess how it might get in.

    • itsdougie on 03/03/2018 - 09:47

      anything is possible but I think water in the tank will cause the car to run really rough or not at all.

      • BobD on 03/03/2018 - 10:04

        certainly that used to be the way when cars had carburettors. Now with injectors the fuel pressure is quite high so the water may get pushed through and not block the lines. If water gets all the way to the injectors then it may get emulsified with the fuel and then "burned". I'm not sure what it would do to the engine running. In the old days we used to toss the contents of a bottle of methylated spirits in the tank. Metho soaks up water but it also lowers the octane rating so it cause it to ping. I'm not sure if I'd be game to do it on a relatively modern car. You could try draining the tank if there is a drain in the bottom. Water is heavier than fuel so the water would come out first. Once it runs clean just seal it up and hope. However, there is a fire hazard and a health hazard with this. Do it when the exhaust pipe is cold. Have someone standing by with an appropriate extinguisher.

        • itsdougie on 03/03/2018 - 10:07

          lol i am in luck. bought a $14.89 extinguisher from a recent ozbargain deal

  • doctordv8 on 03/03/2018 - 10:10
    +1

    Not quite blind guessing with some experience and knowledge thrown in, as I am only reading about the symptoms and can not hear or see for myself. Without further dedicated hands on diagnosis possible scenarios are:

    Mechanical damage due to a Hydraulic-ed engine. IE water in the cylinders (water/sand evidence in air box) and as some know, an engine can not compress water, hence mechanical (damage to piston/s and or valves) is most likely issue. This can be rough idle and even slightly possible the noises.

    Possible and better $$ wise but doubtful is water in the fuel tank, yes, they are vented to atmosphere and will allow ingress in the right situations. This could be the rough at idle as well, and contaminated fuel lowers the Octane and Knock rating, hence causing a 'knocking' sound.

    Last option maybe just water in the electronics in the engine bay and or electronics/controllers, causing poor idle and timing issues - incorrect Spark timing is major reason for 'Knocking'.

    I have discounted incorrect fuel and driving in too higher gear for the speed as reason for 'knocking' unless the fuel stations are contaminated too and many more people would be suffering faulty vehicles as well. It is a very fine line with contaminated water in fuel situations as any more than a sip and the engine will not fire at all.

    Simple test for water in the oil, is a milky coloured slim under the oil filler cap, and or condensation on the dip stick after engine has cooled slightly from operating temps.

    Pulling the spark plugs to look for corrosion and condensation will - might - tell you which cylinder is at fault.

    Time for back to basics diagnostics and go from there. As for Insurance, you need to ask only them directly.

    PS, in the NT, high water means the driver was on the roof at the time, unlike the wimps from down south just washing their wheels, lol.

    Good luck with it.

  • ShannonN on 03/03/2018 - 12:18

    When your wife says some water went over the bonnet, ask what speed she was doing , like did she hit the water at 40 kph to make sure she got through? or drove at 5 kph

    First speed would account for water over bonnet, 2nd scenario would say water was was too deep and she would be almost floating which means lots more water ingress to airbox

    I'd suggest vacuum airbox of all debris water get vaccy hose down into hose leading to inlet on engine to suck out any sand, Not sure where the MAF sensor is on the suby but I know from commodore experience if they get wet its really bad maybe find and clean maf sensor and spray with that special electrical contact type sprays or replace?

    Hope you find an easy cheap fix keep us informed and please be kind to you wife she doesn't know better

  • FoxJump on 03/03/2018 - 23:29

    Note: you may not get your car back from insurance and instead only get whatever amount according to your policy

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