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Driving through water can bring a flood of woes

News Channel 8 photo by PETER MASA

Island Auto Service on Davis Islands already has flooded cars and is expecting more.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 1, 2009

More than one commuter this morning got that sinking feeling, literally.

It was raining, really hard, and there is standing water on the road. Most of the time, the shallow pond can be traversed with nothing more than a wake that washes up over the sidewalk.

Sometimes the pond is deeper than is expected.

Cars go in, but don't come out.

According to the Florida Emergency Management Agency, six inches of water is enough to reach the bottom of most passenger cars. That's enough to cause loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water can lift some vehicles off the roadway. If water reaches the engine, it can stall, and if that happens, not much can be done. A wrecker ride to the shop is next and repairs can be expensive.

"It can run anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the car," said Jerry Billings, owner of Island Auto Service on Davis Islands.

By mid morning, Billings said tow trucks brought in three cars that stalled in flooded streets. "Wrecker drivers are going nuts over here," he said.

"People don't realize how deep the water is," he said. "In some of the newer, lower cars, the vents and scoops are under front bumper and the water is sucked right into the motor."

When water gets into the engine, bad things happen, he said.

"The piston can't compress water and that bends valves or rods," he said.

The main thing that drivers shouldn't do after their car stalls: "Don't try to keep starting it," he said.

Auto experts at Popular Mechanics magazine in a recent edition also warned drivers not to try to start the vehicle. Also, they said, the battery ground straps should be disconnected to avoid damaging the car's electrical system.

Owners should check the dipsticks of the engine and transmission, experts say. If water droplets are visible the oil and filter need to be changed immediately. It might be a good idea to remove the oil pan and clean it thoroughly also. The new oil should be changed after a couple of hundred miles, too.

Newer cars have sealed fuel systems, but older cars may not and the fuel should be siphoned out and replaced. Fuel lines also should be blown out.

Flooding can cause other problems as well, Popular Mechanics experts say.

Flooded cars can develop mold and corrosion and owners should clean out as much water and muck as possible and dry the interior out thoroughly.

Billings said all this can be avoided just by being smart when driving in heavy rain and flooded streets.

"Turn around and go some other way," he said. "Once a car stops in water and if it's over the rocker panel, what do most people do? They open the door and now, they're sitting in pool of water."

In new cars, that causes even more problems, said Billings who has owned the station for 29 years.

"The computer connections are under seats," he said. "That screws up the electrical system."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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