Helpdesk

THIS WEEK:How to deal with cars caught in the floods

SEVERAL MOTORISTS were left stranded in the floods on Monday while others who managed to get through are now concerned about damage to their engines.

If you have driven through a flood the very least you need to be concerned about is that water has damaged the brakes or steering system. After this the major risk is that water gets into the engine through the air intakes.

If water has got into your engine then the problems will become apparent pretty quickly: with diesel engines, you’ll see smoke the next time your engine is started cold; with petrol engines, if you damage the con-rods, sometimes it takes a little longer to become apparent. There is also a threat to the electrics, even if the car was only parked up.

In terms of repair, it really depends on the value of the car; when you get into replacing some of the electronic components the price really starts to rise. In certain cases it’s simply not cost-effective to repair.

That’s where the insurance companies enter the fray. If you have comprehensive insurance, then this sort of damage should be covered under that policy. An insurance company is likely to request a motor engineer report that will make a judgment on whether the car is economically repairable.

So what if you encounter a flooded road? The first thing you find out is the depth of water and whether the road surface is solid underneath. It’s a difficult call, but you also need to know the location and height of the air intakes for your engine, often lower in the car than most think.

Next, wait until any oncoming car has passed before entering to avoid swells or ripples that may wash into the engine air-intake. You will also be able to judge the depth of water. If you are sure the depth is below a dangerous level, then pass through the water slowly, in a low gear and high revs. When you emerge from the water, make sure your brakes and steering are okay in a safe area before you go on.

Finally, even if your car has successfully passed through a flood, be sure to wash it down well as there may have been salt or chemicals in the flood water that could cause corrosion. Got a query? Send it to motorshelp@irishtimes.com