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YOUR RESEARCH996 flooded - rebuild?
Reported or suspected cause
condensation
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Reported cause · Original poster
oh and the white smoke turned out to be condensation.
Leading evidence: 'condensation' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'condensation' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check )' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I took the interior apart, had the engine/trans dropped out - inspected and reinstalled (IMS checked).
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I�ve replaced relays under the dash and on the rear shelf.
Replace since the pandemic and doesn't have the spare time
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
His job demands have changed since the pandemic and doesn't have the spare time to come on the forums.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
It ran a bit rough at first and then the idle settled down to normal.
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Outcome without a verified action link
My car being a cab, I did have some top issues later with some of the "triggers" (these are a nightmare to figure out) the shop said there was corrosion on these - so that bit me later on, but still not a huge issue.
So Ida got my 996. Water in my garage was past dashboard and car was a total loss. Insurance company didn�t even come to see the car. I emailed a picture and they are cutting the check. They offered to sell me the car for $300 (yes hundred) and I said sure.
so, since I have nothing to loose I�d like to take a stab at fixing her up. Looking at a long term project and can store the car at a remote garage. No rush. The good news is the battery was disconnected and it hasn�t been started since before the flood. I also have a waterproof immobilizer case under the seat so that should be fine.
I've removed all the interior seats, carpet and trim and am drying and cleaning. Probably should removed the dashboard next.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know I�m fighting a loosing battle but figured I should at least try.
Had one of my cars get flooded. Immediately purchase a new dehumidifier and let it run for three days sealed inside the car. It did an amazing job drying the car out.
The goal is to prevent mold and mildew from forming. I wouldn't wait around if this was my car.
Good for you ,diving right in on drying it out . ( pun intended).Engine situation? I guess pull intake check water intrusion vac out,drain /pull sump,pull plugs turn over etc.Transmission water intrusion etc. the list goes on….You will chase issues down the road but hey these projects are fun right?
Now you can search for the car that checks all the boxes.
I would get that motor spinning and hot enough to boil moisture out ASAP.
Get the oil drained out and refill.
Pull the TB, see what it looks like in the plenums.
Pull plugs and crank it over.
I would pull exhaust past header
Gearbox - Change the fluid and hope for the best.
If the flywheel was covered in water, its probably super rusty and may need some working in.
I have no experience dealing with a flood car but the above is what I would do on the mechanical side ASAP - the longer water sits, the worse I would think.
Good luck brother.
HAve you seen the latest issue of Panorama? There�s a 993 that�s being rebuilt after sitting in a Italian river for 4 years... yours should be a piece of cake compared to that one...
Sorry for the loss but getting the salvaged remains for $300 is awesome. Call them back and see if they have anymore flooded Porsches for $300, I'll take 2.
^^^^^ Get the engine drained of water, spark plugs pulled, pumped out, and running ASAP !!
I have saved a few flooded cars in my day and getting the engine running by any means necessary is KEY. If the engines sits for very long after being flooded it won't be worth a plug nickle.
The clock is ticking........
OP - Good luck and fire up that engine. Everything else is built well enough to resist fresh water corrosion for a good while. A motor tear down would be a serious buzz kill for your $300 project Porsche. Skip - I sure miss Ahsai on this forum, but you are a stellar dude that�s filled that void of knowledge and sanity checking for me.
Ahsai is doing well. I contacted him personally outside of RL. His job demands have changed since the pandemic and doesn't have the spare time to come on the forums. But he wishes everyone the best!
I wonder if the car will even start with the damage done to the electrics in the dash. After pulling the plugs and moving the engine clockwise by hand, etc. is it even safe to attempt to start the car?
Even with the interior out, I would think it's very much worth putting a dehumidifier in the car with all windows shut for a few days just to pull any moisture you can't see (e.g. behind dashboard, in wiring, nooks and crannies, etc).
Drain the oil, put in fresh oil
Check fuel gauge, if higher than when parked, drain fuel tank, put in fresh fuel
Pull spark plugs, connect battery and spin engine with plugs out to pump out water. Reinstall plugs and start engine ASAP.
IF electrical demons show up and engine will not start or even spin, then you're in deep s**t. Unless you're a a good Tech and can improvise and troubleshoot , by the time you can figure it out, your engine won't be worth saving.
The clock is ticking..........
dude if you get that motor started you got yourself a hell of a deal. In addition to everything buy some Lucas cylinder oil and put it thru plug holes once you get water out.
Update - I connected the battery after removing, cranking and reinstalling the spark plugs. The car went through the normal key in the ignition - buzzer, internal lights on etc. I tried to start the car and nothing. The starter didn�t turn. Then the door buzzer stop and things started to die (radio, etc. )
And put dehumidifier in car to dry out the wiring
Disclaimer
: I have no direct experience with this issue, but seems like an important proactive step to an outside (inexperienced) observer
B3 it's good to see you posting. It seemed like there were fewer posts from you and I was wondering how you were doing. Always good insight from you.
Best,
Have you tried packing the car in rice? Surprised no one had suggested it yet.
Probably wouldn�t try anything electrical until completely dried out. I don�t think it�s the moisture so much as moisture plus current that causes problems. Anything w a non discharged capacitor may be toast.
Try to pack electric modules, switches & motors in desiccate
Strongly agree with this. I'd add to the "moisture plus current that causes problems" that "moisture plus
time
" also causes problems due to corrosion that happens very quickly with materials in water. Rice is used with cell phones because that's pretty much the only option for a small device -- for the car, shut all of the windows, seal it as best you can, and then plunk a plug-in dehumidifier in for a few days. Whatever water is in the bucket after that time is the moisture that was removed from the inside of the car. I think this is almost as urgent as getting the engine going -- and it may be a
required
step to dry out the wiring/connectors/switches/ECU's/relays/etc. to get the engine going.
.
Funny thing is that I just put the HVAC and CD Nav unit in rice to dry out this morning. I also put in a 70pt dehumidifier and the interior is drying out nicely. Still working on getting the car started. Will get to spend more time this weekend. I know time is of the essence however I just don�t have the time to spend hours troubleshooting.
is the objective to have the engine running, or just get the water out and oil circulating? I guess getting running and up to temperature is going help evaporate any remaining water?
I did the same thing 20 years ago. 1999 996 cab went into canal in FL. I took the interior apart, had the engine/trans dropped out - inspected and reinstalled (IMS checked). I did a few mods back then: fabspeed equal length headers and exhaust, H&R springs + bilsteins - GT3 aero kit w/cab spoiler. Been driving the car ever since (I got the car from insurance company at 12K miles, have 63K today). I had the car apart in my garage - while the engine was out, i went through everything I could "electrically" and used a hair dryer (not heat gun) to dry everything I could (connections, fuse panel... many hours) I spent alot of time on the carpet (expensive to replace) and was able to save it. The seats had to be replaced - but that was it. Over the years, a few items would fail (find out they had corroded). All in, when I was back on the road - I had ~$17K in a 2 year old 996 cab with 12K miles. I knew I could never sell the car with the title - but its been an awesome car, maybe I could sell it now after a 20 years of post-flood , but Im not! Also - I spent alot of time on these forums - helped tremendously. I could have never afforded a 996 back then - but had more time then $ and I appreciate the car that much more
Great story -- saved a 996, got the car you wouldn't otherwise have been able to afford, and loving the hell out of it for 2 decades -- it doesn't get any better.
That�s very encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
I�m still working on the 996. The interior has been removed, dried and replaced. As you did, I�m finding that the seats most likely will need to be replaced as the leather has shrunken and is moldy. I put a dehumidifier in the interior and left it for about a week. I�ve replaced relays under the dash and on the rear shelf. I�ve gotten the radio, dash lights, horn, windows, wipers and exterior lights back. I removed the spark plugs and hand cranked the engine. There was just a hint of water in 1&6 but I�m not sure if it was water that got past the coil. The oil was another story - there was about a gallon of water in the pan. I�m thinking water got through the oil filler tube.
I hooked up a code reader and got the following codes:
1813
1823
0600
seems that the DME and/or TCU are bad. I sent the DME & immobilizer to ECU doctors and they diagnosed problems with the DME (immobilizer was good as it was in a waterproof box). I should have the DME back tomorrow and I�ll see if I can finally get the car started.
I forgot about the immobilizer!!! I had to replace that too (been a long time - I will prob recall a few others lol). Having a shop take out the engine and go over it was key (and was done within 2 weeks of it getting wet) - I think that made huge difference (I just didnt have the confidence to do that myself - could have saved alot of $). My car being a cab, I did have some top issues later with some of the "triggers" (these are a nightmare to figure out) the shop said there was corrosion on these - so that bit me later on, but still not a huge issue. I miss going through the forums and considering mods.. Maybe I should consider some mods again.
....Kidding, I learned there is not much to do on the 3.4 unless FSI???? (whewh saved by reading that Jake has a 2 year backlog and pricing is going up). I need to go drive my car and find an overpass and listed to the fabspeeds....
Update
I got the immobilizer & DME back from ECU Doctors this evening. Plugged both in along with the TCU. I said a prayer and turned the key.
the car started on the second try!!
i ran the engine for about 5 minutes. It ran a bit rough at first and then the idle settled down to normal. I�ve got a bit of white smoke out of both tailpipes but that�s about it. I�ll finish putting the interior back together and then off to the mechanic for a full diagnosis. I think I�ll have the car towed there. Probably best instead of trying to dive the 10 miles.
Its not just a branded title ,, here there is "Branded", and then there is "Flooded", a car totaled out by an insurance company here gets a off road only title.
Its also illegal to sell a car thats been flooded without disclosing the incident.. Dealers get in amazing amounts of trouble for selling a imported flood car.
We got a ton of flood cars after Andrew, the state passed more than a few laws after that.
Good job on getting the engine running fairly quick, That's a big deal, but keep going full speed. Make sure there is no water in the trans, differential and fuel tank, then you can rest as you tidy things up. Looks like you have SAVED this one.. Congratulations !!!
Here the proof of life! I backed into my garage after installing the remaining interior trim. I�ll have it towed to the mechanics shop to have it checked out in a week or so. Once I get the mechanics squared away I�ll hit the interior stuff. The blowers not working and other assorted items.
oh and the white smoke turned out to be condensation. Today when I moved it the weather was warmer and you could see it dissipate.
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