If I could offer a suggestion-I used to do the same thing to many cars since I was in the auto upholstery business, and had to dry out flood or water damaged cars for both dealers and individuals. You’re going the right direction in stripping out the carpets and cleaning the floors, but one area you may be missing is the padding on the back of the carpets. Once this stuff gets wet and sits for any amount of time, it starts to smell, and no amount of washing or drying can totally eliminate it-it’ll come back even when it’s dry and reassembled. We found that ripping off the pieces of wet pad was the easiest and fastest way to take care of this issue…then use the pressure washer on both sides of the carpet, and let dry thoroughly. You can get some material called “jute” at any upholstery supply, it can be cut to the size of the original pad, and attached with spray adhesive (same stuff you used in re-covering panels on your fire-damaged RV). Put the carpet back in, and there’s no smell-guaranteed. Hope this helps!
You are exactly right on this!!! Also the dampness and smells will definitely come right back if you don’t remove it!!! It’s a lot easier to change it while you have it all out!!
Guys, I HIGHLY recommend that you spray all of the connectors that may have been exposed to water with Deoxit contact cleaner. It will clean and protect the contacts. This stuff is worth its weight in gold and works great for these type of conditions. I would recommend that you use a anti microbial wash on the padding / carpet before you dry it. This will kill any mold spores that may lay dormant.
That is great advice, I would insist on proof of bumper to bumper fluid change in addition to all the other suggestions if I were buying a flood damaged car.
@@MrSparks54 I know someone who bought a flood damaged car a few years ago and it was never right. The first few months went ok but as time went by problem after problem, all electrical issues. Maybe it was a bad car and had nothing to do with the flood damage but I don't know. I wouldn't risk it personally.
@@lordstingray2382 likely was from water it gets in everywhere and overtime damages the wires and connections. Which in the case of fresh water and some of these wires that have little to know air flow could take years to manifest.
the only thing I'd say is inside the doors . the water comes in through the door seals I know there are drains at the bottom .but I have found a lot of crap inside the doors. I'm from flood country . when I was 17 I drove. my 67 mustang through water so deep it was shooting out the louvers on the hood and through the shift boot . 2 days later the doors still were sloshing . smh
Its wonderful to see you work together with a smile all the time. I wish I could have a brother and do the same... It is a real pleasure to watch your progress,...Congratulation Guys! And thanks for doing all those great videos, It really help me right now in those hard times...
One thing you are proving guys, is that just because a vehicle may have been in a flood, it doesn't mean that it only fit for scrap or parts. You are getting those cars back up and running so that they can be used again and keep on going for a fair few miles yet. Really, really well done. 👌👍❤😀
Been in the marine electronics business all my life. Electronics get wet all the time. Remove the plastic covers, put the electronics board and assembly in the wife's oven at no more than 200 degrees. You will be amazed at how they will often come back to life.
GUys just wanted to say a lot of times the airbag light can be triggered by water in the contacts in either the seat belt tensioner or the seats themselves. Usually the other airbag are to high in the car to get water damage. If there is a low resistance between the contacts then it will throw the light. The scanner will tell you exactly which one it is. Dry it out and clean the contacts and you should then be able to clear that code and the light should go away. No need to replace the module.
Do you have to disclose “flood” to a buyer after you’re done? I bought a BMW in the early 80’s (not disclosed) and it was a nightmare. Had to replace entire fuel system from tanks to injectors, full of rust. Paint peeled off, water pump shot, on snd on.
Hi brothers ,also do a oil change on automatic gearbox specially the cvt type ,they have breathers on them where water could get in .Thank you from a lock down New Zealand 👍
With the explorer , you should take apart the exhaust system and dry it out properly and possibly replace some parts if needed . I would also thoroughly clean the electrical plugs and also do a compression test on the explorer as well plus an engine flush and oil change too and flush the coolant ! Better to be safe than sorry ! Just my opinion as a mechanic. Great video guys ! 👍
As someone has already mentioned, do check the doors for water depending on the water line. Another thing to say is that a dead battery will produce all sorts of fault codes. Make sure your battery is charged fully then check for fault codes. The modules 'think ' they have a problem simply because the voltage is so low . Great work so far and good video Brothers .👍👍
Looks like you all do a extra good job cleaning and drying them out, there is no substitute for quality work and all these cars should work nicely for along time to come My hat is off to the Niko Busy Beavers! Contact cleaners in all of the electrical connectors is recommended!
I bought a truck brand new in 1989 it got submerged in a pond in 1990 unfortunately. But I still have the truck and it still runs and drives today. The only thing I wish I would have done is put electrical grease in all the wiring connectors. Because that is the only thing I have had trouble with.
I’m not a fan of buying a car that has been under water no matter how good it’s cleaned. I just can’t imagine getting into a car on a very hot day after it has been sitting with the windows closed. It would have to smell terrible. The seat cushions will always hold moisture !
I have the same problem with my passat: there are a lot of coins trapped into seat rails and sometimes they are blocked and the seat is not moving. I had to dissassemble it twice.
Excellent job well done Nico Brothers. Looking forward to buy a Ford Focus RS with light Water Damages. You guys can do the job for me?. Please let me know if you work with Customers Vehicles?.Thanks
Great finds!!! Youre doing a great job and also documenting the work that's actually done for buyers builds confidence. People don't realize that not all flooding damages the cars depending on the car and location of the modules, it can be as easy ...still work ...lol removing the interior and good cleaning.
Really appreciate what you guys are doing to save flooded cars so they can be used again instead of crushed for recycle. Seems anyone can do what you doing if they have basic tools and follow how you do it. Good video, thanks 🙏 guys.
The one thing I always see on these flood cars later down the road is wheel bearing failures. Folks never think about them, and 90% of the time they were submerged really good. Sell the car, and a month later wheel bearings are toasted. There is so much folks forget about with a flood car, they just clean em up and ship em down the road.
I spilled alittle water near tge driver side VIN near the window i dry it up but there was a little opening the some water got in like a small coke bottle cap of water. Like a sip or so. Will 90f dry it in 5 hours. Am at work. So have 5 hours.
I wonder what the entails of putting a flooded car back on the road as a rebuild title, I wasn't sure what the inspectors would be looking for and at. I came across a 2014 GT500 5.8 l Shelby, it was running in the video and moved around the holding lot with no other issues, water line level looks to been at the seat bucket part . It wasn't a submerged vehicle water was all in the floor pans and a little over the bottom seat , a driver would be sitting in water a bit . Nice car it was listed at the time $20k . If I bought it a repair would be needed or it could have been a good parts car for another car build.
I haven't gone through a flooded car before. The only thing I can think of is trying to get the water if any out of the exhaust system. Other than that it looks like you guys are doing more than others trying to get a quick flip on these cars.
The water in the exhaust system will blow out or evaporate. The fluids in the tranny, rear end and engine, must be drained and refilled. Trannys have a vent, and water will get in there. Just checking the dipstick on the engine oil is a bad idea. Any water will have settled to the bottom of the oil pan and won’t show up on the dipstick. If they check the dipstick after it runs, the oil will remix with the water and be visible.
I know a guy i use to work with he brought a fairly new flood car he paid 900 $ for it. It was 2 years old he changed all the fluid cleaned the inside sold it overseas for 12k
@@redwolfexr factory Rockford system was an option in those Mitsubishi's. It was just funny he was looking at it and instead of reading it, he said "a little Bose speaker"
Quite a learning experience just bought a very nice run & drive 05 Lexus IS 300 with 75k miles & I wasn’t sure how we would clean it but after watching this I’m ready to get started when it gets here tomorrow. @Niko Bros thanks for posting this video great job guys!
Hi guys just found your channel some really good work you guys Are doing just one question I’m from uk when you buy a car here With damage or flood damage it’s recorded on a database Is that the same where you are
Hello Niko Brothers, I love your channel and the way you do things. I don't live in the US of A. But slightly north of that in Winnipeg Manitoba. Since 2019 I am in a wheelchair, and you believe me that is no fun at all. I had to adjust from being an owner operator and driving my own truck, to being in a wheelchair, and can't do anything yourself. Zthat was not the curvball I was suspecting at my age (61 in 2019). I am now getting my life back together. The only thing I am missing is a suitable vehicle. It has to be a minivan with "power sliding doors" for I can't open and close them myself. Now I saw you working with these flooded cars and SUV's. Is it possoble that you could get me a minivan like that? Please let me know what it would cost me to get it in Winnipeg Cananada. Lol. Thank you for reading my letter. Sincerely Jon van Beilen.
You guys are doing good keep been very systematic don't skip any steps. What are guys doing to the doors? they need to be check. Need to use electronic lubricant for ground connectors and any sensor connectors you need to fight the humidity and killed. Upholstery and carpet padding must be very dry inside and outside. You guys are doing good. Stay safe and healthy thanks 😊
Replacing the carpet(new/used) is best but if your trying to dry the carpet is best to hang it up as vertical as possible…Also air flow helps ( fan indoors or outside no fan)The inner cushion never drys when you try sun drying in flat position. At least couple of days hang time.
