What happens to a vehicle when it is submerged under water?

Asked by hschaetzke Sep 05, 2016 at 06:03 PM about the 2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT Extended Cab LB 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm interested in buying a 2005 Ford F250 Pickup truck that looks like it has
been submerged under water. What damage should I be looking for?

3 Answers

159,975

If it is submerged in salt water just crush it cause it will not ever be the same. If it is submerged in fresh water and you immediately get all the water out, change all the fluids and dry out all the electrical stuff it might be saved. If it has been sitting for awhile I would avoid it.

1 people found this helpful.
60,135

It has to be taken apart and cleaned, whole truck. Junk the interior. use CRC Electric contact cleaner on all parts like alternator, starter ect. You can drain the engine and fill it up with diesel fuel all the up and drain and do this a 3-4 times (if it had just clear water and not muddy water otherwise take it apart and clean it) Trans is harder to clean ans need to come out, basically just get it rebuilt. Pull dash and dry it and use contact cleaner here too. Brake cleaner on the brakes. Tank removal and drain and rinse. Check all connections on wiring harness contact clean them and use Dielectric grease on all those. Don't let it sit around and take a year to get to it it needs to be done now not later if you wait then its scrap.

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