CX-5 Flooded...Advice?

[Tpollack CX]

My daughter was driving our CX 5 and went through standing water, and was sucked into the road ditch where the care sat in standing water for about 30 minutes. I was at an angle so the water was up to the door handle of the passenger side and at the base of the door on the driver's side. I am getting a key fob malfunction error saying the battery may be low on the fob. My guess is the fob reader on the vehicle may not be working?? I'm currently drying everything out and will be checking all the fuses. Just curious if there is any advice out there?? Thanks!

 

[Mazdiod2]

Wait a week before you try to start it?

 

[erhayes]

Set up some fans to dry it out. Don't even try to start it for a week or more. Tell daughter not to do that again.-))

 

[skid00skid0]

That car is totaled. The body computer(s) are probably shorted out.

DON'T START THE ENGINE!

At the VERY LEAST, change the oil, the engine air filter, the differentials (front and rear).

Strip the carpets out, and leave in hot sun, with fans blowing throughout the body, with the doors and windows open.

 

[Mazdiod2]

It was up the the door handle on one side, to the bottom of the door on the other side. I guess you could determine what stuff was definitely flooded and start there.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

I hope that this was all fresh water? If so, you may have a chance. If it was salt water, or a mixture, the car is done.

 

[table5511]

I'm a claims supervisor for auto (and other types of vehicles). Crawled under cars for about 17 years. Saw many many water related claims and repairs at many different shops in several states, not saying that to boast but to qualify my ability to help you. As one other guy indicated, if any brackish or salt water involved, you won't ever get it resolved. Assuming fresh, you might want to file a claim because gremlins may start to pop up for a good long while. One deductible. If you start tinkering and file a claim down the road, things will become much more difficult. If you don't want to file a claim: remove the engine air box. Remove filter. Remove lower resonator drain any water. Remove spark plugs. Run your starter to spray out any water that may have been ingested into the combustion chamber. Then change the oil and filter. Put plugs back in (good time to change them) After that, if all is well, your motor is probably fine, if it runs good. Interior: remove seats, lower trim, carpet. (Disconnect battery first). Remove any computer modules bolted to the floor and console area. Dry. Shampoo carpet. If seats are wet internally, they need to be broken down. Dry all electrical connectors. Remove front and rear bumpers and remove electronics, clean/dry connectors. Regrease connector pins with dielectric grease. Remove and drain headlights and dry indoors. Aim headlights. Remove brake pads and regrease hardware kits as needed. May need to rebuilt caliper pistons. Exhaust should clear itself out. Remove door trim panels and plastic internal covers clean and dry. Remove speakers for same reason. A lot of work to do it right. After all that, it's still going to be a crap shoot as far as if your hard work pays off and no issues later on.

 

[HyFlyer]

That sounds like a good list from @table5511 ^^ . I'd add drain and fill to rear differential and transmission/transfer as well. (I saw a few others mention that)

And then, sell it and move on. A flood car is not one I'd want to have around. Too much risk of all kinds of gremlins later.