What to do if your car is flood-damaged

PETALING JAYA: Mechanics have their hands full repairing vehicles that were damaged in the massive floods that hit several states.

To avoid high repair bills, there are things that can be done by the car owners themselves if the problem is not too serious, according to the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia.

Its president Datuk Tony Khor said the federation classifies car damage into four levels.

In level one, the water level only reached the carpet.

“Car owners can easily handle this situation themselves by taking out the carpets and washing them.

“It would be better if they put their vehicles under the hot sun for about three to four days to let the car interior dry thoroughly,” he said in an interview.

In level two, floodwater reached just below the car dashboard.

“You should not move the car. Ask tow truck drivers to bring your car to the workshop. Mechanics can dismantle the parts and clean them.

“The repair work should not cost too much if the engine is not affected,” said Khor.

In level three, the water covered the car dashboard but was still below the car roof.

“The electronic control unit (ECU) that falls under level three is submerged in water as most of the control boards are placed under the dashboard.

“The ECU is the central controller and heart of the engine management system and it controls the fuel supply, air management, fuel injection and ignition.

“If the water covers the ECU and causes a short circuit, the repair costs will be very high.

“It is advisable for vehicle owners to switch off everything, take out the battery, dismantle the contact points and wait for the tow truck to bring their car to the workshop.

“Without power supply, the chances of an ECU experiencing a short circuit are lower.

“If a moving car breaks down suddenly after going through water, the engine might be affected and need an overhaul,” said Khor.

Level four is when the car was fully submerged in water.

“The lights might be affected as the flood currents could have caused the car to be hit by debris.

“We sually advise our customers who have insurance to declare a total loss as it will be very expensive to repair their cars.

“Buying spare parts to fix the car might be more expensive than the actual car value.

“We will need to change the ECU and fix the car part by part, which will cost a bomb,” he said, adding that it will be more costly to repair a hybrid car.

Khor said he hopes that members of car groups can share ideas on how to fix and get spare parts through their social media.

“In times like these, it might be rather difficult to get help.

“Tow trucks and car workshops operators are super busy now and it may take days before mechanics can finally work on cars caught in floods.

“It would be great if the community can help each other and share information on how to fix their vehicles which suffer from level one or two damage,” he said.