Flooded with Salt water

**Scott B** · 11-13-2009

I have a 2002 gtp that was in water for two extra high tide cycles.Only my floor boards are wet so I though I'd be find but after i started it she don't run very good. At about 4 grand it stalls like it was hitting the rev limiter or something. Also it smokes really bad now. So I'm thinking the water must have got in the motor. My insurance adjuster is coming out next week to tell me the damage. Oh yea my electric and heated seat doen't work anymore. What do you pros think. is it don or what??????

**Liquifire** · 11-13-2009

if it was submerged in salt water, there is going to be corrosion anywhere that metal was exposed to it, the factory connections are supposed to be sealed, but with extended time period to corrosion, it could happen anytime, anywhere. Anytime an engine is submerged that is no good. depending on how far submerged you could have water in any of your holding tanks(coolant, motor oil, transmission, power steering, brakes, etc.) you could have short or long term damage to any or all of these areas, not to mention wiring. Personally, if I were you I would hope that they total the car and give you cash to get a new one. You could be fine, or this could be the start of your problems... I would start by making sure everything is dried out real good, changing all of your fluids out, new spark plugs and wires and hope for the best if you are going to keep it.

**Zef_66** · 11-13-2009

Having a car flooded is bad. Having a car flooded with salt water is 10X worse. Like mentioned above, the problems you see now are only the start of what I can imagine is going to be a nightmare for you. Before you started the car, I would have suggested to change the oil on the spot. Water in your oil is not good. Also make sure the change the air filter as that can get wet and cause issues with running. Would also be a good idea to change spark plugs and wires and check for more corrosion on the coil packs. And before you drive it too far, I would suggest having the entire transmission flushed with brand new fluid to get rid of any water that made it in there. One small drop of water in the oil or tranny fluid is enough to cause thousands of dollars of damage. So don't drive it too much without going over the whole car.

That is just with the running gear. As mentioned, water could have gotten anywhere. While it can't do as much immediate damage, things like brake lines/cylinder/master cylinder, PS pump/rack, tie rod ends, ball joints, fuel tank, fuel lines, radiator/antifreeze, etc, etc can all get water in them and eventually cause the parts to fail prematurely. Not to meniton all the electrical connections can get water in them and cause really weird issues. And again, the salt water is 10x times worse because of the corrosion it will cause with your electrical system.

Also, you have to try and dry the car out. If you don't, it can start to grow mold and smell from the water in the carpet/seats/insulation/dash, etc.

So yeah, just hope that the adjuster totals the car and you can get out from the nightmares that are sure to happen.

**Scott B** · 11-15-2009

Well insurance company Totaled it. (R.I.P Pontiac GTP)

**ninnyGTP** · 11-15-2009

Consider yourself lucky. Getting any money from it? If so, buy a new one. GTP's are cheap as hell nowadays

**Pittman06** · 11-15-2009

If they wouldn't have totaled it i would have been worried. That thing would be plagued with problems for the rest of its (very short) life. Find another one, preferably dry lol