How to fix flooded vehicles and machinery

Been caught in the floods and need to know how to fix flooded vehicles and machinery? By following these step-by-step instructions, you can save engines, transmissions and other components from flood-water damage.

Short answer: the key to recovering flood-damaged engines, transmissions and diffs is to act fast and coat the metal surfaces with a hydrophobic (water-repelling), anti-corrosive barrier as soon as possible. Remove all water, replace contaminated fluids, and treat with the right additives — the sooner you do, the better the chance of avoiding serious mechanical damage.

Cost Effective Maintenance has the right products and advice to apply this hydrophobic coating. The sooner you get the equipment back into service, the better the chance of avoiding serious mechanical damage.

Looking for which additive does what, rather than the full procedure? See our companion guide on how fuel and oil additives can help your flooded vehicle.

How to Fix Flooded Diesel Engines

1. Act as soon as possible. The sooner you can get your engine back into service, the better the chance of avoiding major mechanical damage.
2. Don’t start the engine until the fuel system is checked. If the engine wasn’t operating at the time of flooding, the diesel injection pumps and injectors should still have clean, uncontaminated diesel in them. Drain off all water (if any) from the fuel tanks, and replace the diesel if water contamination is severe. To protect the fuel pumps and injectors, add CRD Fuel Enhancer to the diesel — this hydrophobic (water-shedding) corrosion protector shields the fuel injection equipment from rust and corrosion. (For petrol engines, use Cleanpower.)
3. Purge the fuel system with the freshly treated diesel if the engine was running with contaminated fuel.
4. Drain the engine oil and change the filters.
5. Recharge with oil and add additives. Add Flushing Oil Concentrate at 1:80 to the oil to disperse and dissolve oil/water sludge. Existing corrosion needs stopping ASAP and surface rust and deposits need protection, so also add AW10 Antiwear at 1:50 to the oil.
6. Remove any water from the air intake system and exhaust.
7. Check for water inside the cylinders. Rotate by hand to test for hydraulic lock-up. Remove the injectors and crank the engine over to eject any water from the cylinders.
8. Run the engine at high idle, parked up, for 1 hour.
9. Drain the oil and change the filter again. Replenish with new oil and add AW10 Antiwear at 1:50.
10. Monitor closely.

For Flooded Transmissions, Diffs, Final Drives & Hydraulics

1. Drain the oil from all affected lubricated components. Observe how much water was present in each, and change the filters.
2. If the water is negligible, recharge with clean oil. There will still be some existing corrosion (even from condensation) that needs stopping ASAP, plus protection against surface rust and deposits. AW10 Antiwear provides the hydrophobic coating and superior lubrication to do this — add to the oil at 1:50.

   Alternative (if the water is significant): further cleaning and protection is required. Recharge with oil and add Flushing Oil Concentrate at 1:80 to disperse and dissolve oil/water sludge, and add AW10 Antiwear at 1:50 to the oil.

3. Operate the machinery as soon as you can, for at least an hour. This gives the Flushing Oil Concentrate time to clean up sludge residues, and the AW10 time to displace moisture and apply the desperately needed corrosion and rust protection.
4. Change the oil again where Flushing Oil Concentrate has been needed, to remove contaminants. Another dose of AW10 Antiwear is recommended for the next full service period.
5. Monitor closely.

One of the most crucial factors in fixing flooded vehicles and equipment is acting as soon as possible.

Following these steps as soon as you can will help save engines, transmissions and other components from flood-water damage — efficiently removing water contamination and applying an effective hydrophobic barrier with rust and corrosion protection to all lubricated surfaces, while providing the enhanced lubrication needed to return stressed components to normal use.

Don’t Forget the Rest of the Vehicle

The steps above protect the fuel and lubrication systems, but a flood-affected vehicle needs a wider check. A few important non-additive points:

• Don’t try to start a vehicle that was running when it flooded — or one you’re unsure about — until it’s been checked. Starting it can turn a recoverable situation into major damage.
• Have the electrics and electronics assessed. Water in wiring looms, connectors, the ECU, alternator and starter can cause problems no additive can fix. Severe or electrical cases are best assessed by a professional.
• Check and replace contaminated brake fluid, coolant and other fluids, not just the engine oil and diesel.
• Dry out the interior, wiring and air filter housing. Trapped moisture leads to mould, corrosion and electrical faults down the track.
• Clean and dry the air intake thoroughly before running the engine, to avoid drawing water or grit in.
• Grease and protect exposed external components — linkages, pivots and fittings — that floodwater has stripped or contaminated.

The additive steps above and these checks work together: clear the water, protect the metal, and make sure nothing else has been quietly damaged.

For related reading, see how fuel and oil additives can help your flooded vehicle and why you should flush a diesel engine.

For more information on how to fix flooded vehicles, call the team at Cost Effective Maintenance on 07 3376 6188.

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