05 320 cdi flood damage

[Ad777]

Firstly, apologies for multiple posts, and sorry if in the wrong section...I don't know if it's mechanical or electrical.
So, today driving home there was flash floods, had to drive through a deep section of water.
The car cut out near the end. Wouldn't turn over, I thought I had sieded it sucking water into engine.
Tried again after 10 mins, turned over, didn't start, big red brakes not functioning, and auxiliary battery functions disabled.
Eventually started, big clouds of white smoke out exhaust. Drove home, all warnings cleared, but tick over now very lumpy.
Anyone had a similar experience? Not sure if I should drive and hope it clears.
Advice greatly appreciated as ever.

 

[onefortheroad]

Check the air box for water .

 

[Ad777]

I have just done it. It was very damp right enough! I have taken it out, started again still very lumpy tickler, unless it's super sensitive and now not happy about drawing too much air...anything else might have been affected?!

 

[tpn]

If you put out clouds of white smoke it sucked water into the combustion chamber.
By "wouldn't turn over" do you mean it clicked and stopped turning. Again a sign of water in the head.
Anything more than a little water will bend valves and/or conrods
A bent valve will cause a miss. That is the worst scenario.
It will not bend a valve if you were just cranking off the starter when the water entered the combustion chamber.

Lets hope it is electrical and the smoke was caused by the water entering the exhaust. The air inlet is pretty high in those, so any water would be from a splash; lets hope it was a little splash.

 

[Blobcat]

Dry the filter out and check compression of each cylinder

 

[Ad777]

Thank you all. I will get a new filter tomorrow as it was pretty filthy. White smoke has now cleared. No miss when driving...just lumpy tickover. Will try again in a couple of days when everything dried out and new filter on...fingers crossed. Thanks again for the input!

 

[tpn]

Do comeback and let us know

 

[star]

I wouldn't spend any money on it until you diagnose the misfire, I suspect a bent conrod from hydro locking, giving a lower compression.

 

[Ad777]

I will do. Am going to garage a week Saturday so if the is still issues will get compression checked. Thanks again.

 

[Ad777]

Is there 2 air filters in this car?! Just phoned the factory and apparently 2 separate filters listed...he shipped 2 to a garage the other day. Any ideas?!

 

[tpn]

I will do. Am going to garage a week Saturday so if the is still issues will get compression checked. Thanks again.

Check with your insurance. Most Comprehensive policies cover engine damage caused by floods.

If that is so you will need to establish if there is damage asap.

 

[Ad777]

That just occurred to me this morning...I am comprehensive. Should I phone them now or wait till actually confirmed either way?!

 

[onefortheroad]

Is there 2 air filters in this car?! Just phoned the factory and apparently 2 separate filters listed...he shipped 2 to a garage the other day. Any ideas?!

If it's a v6 . 2 air filters.

 

[Ad777]

If it's a v6 . 2 air filters.

Thanks for that...mine only has one!

 

[Ad777]

Check with your insurance. Most Comprehensive policies cover engine damage caused by floods.

If that is so you will need to establish if there is damage asap.

Phoned the insurance company...they said it was a grey area...suprise. Apparently they are going to take it away and assess it. Nothing to lose I guess except insurance premiums...

 

[tpn]

That would of course be their first reaction. Read your policy document. It is a very poor policy if it does not include flood damage.
Obviously if there were warning signs that the flood existed they could argue that you did not take the appropriate action.
Just came across this.

https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/car-flood-cover/

 

[tpn]

and this

FAQs Motor insurance: Will car insurance cover water damage?

Will car insurance cover water damage? If you're unsure what your insurance provider can offer, Car.co.uk has put together FAQs to help you better understand.

www.car.co.uk

 

[Blobcat]

That would of course be their first reaction. Read your policy document. It is a very poor policy if it does not include flood damage.
Obviously if there were warning signs that the flood existed they could argue that you did not take the appropriate action.
Just came across this.

https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/car-flood-cover/

If you appear in any of the below videos insewerance companies will probably not pay out…

 

[tpn]

If you appear in any of the below videos insewerance companies will probably not pay out…

Those idiots that plough into it do not deserve to be compensated

 

[Ad777]

I read these reports yesterday funnily enough! I told them ( truthfully) that we got diverted from them main road which was blocked, and that the puddle was round a sharp bend and caught me unawares. I wasn't going fast, there was nothing coming over the bonnet.
I was a bit unsure how to do it in an automatic! Usually in a manual I would play the clutch and keep the revs high.
Anyhoo...its in the lap of the gods now. Getting a phone back this morning.