Starting Jeep after flooding?

Whitelightning

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Tampa
My brothers wife has a 2021 Jeep Compass limited edition (4x4). It was in some pretty high water from the hurricane that just came through town. They haven’t tried to start it. But the lights are on and she said that no water got on the inside. What should be done to try and see if it’s safe to start?
 
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My brothers wife has a 2021 Jeep Compass limited edition (4x4). It was in some pretty high water from the hurricane that just came through town. They haven’t tried to start it. But the lights are on and she said that no water got on the inside. What should be done to try and see if it’s safe to start?

Honestly turn it over to the insurance company, if they have full coverage.

First thing i would do is unplug each electrical connection, clean and grease them (that's what the south Florida car rebuilding mafia dose.

I have never seen a flooded vehicle worth trying to salvage do to all the problems that go with water and salt damage
 
I'm impatient. I'd jump in and try to start it. I soak my engine going through deep creeks and at the car wash when I clean the engine. If it starts, let it run to dry everything out. If it doesn't start, call the insurance company.
 
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Pull the intake and check for water. If it's dry then it didn't make it into the engine.

WD-40 to displace water especially on computers and wiring and sensors.

If you've got water in the engine pull the plugs and get it out before turning it over.

Trailmater YouTube channel does a lot of flood starts. Watch their stuff.

-Mac
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Not sure what they plan to do with it. But they brought it over and the airbag light is on and it smells like a lot of saltwater.
I know they are going to get a qualified mechanic if they want to get everything cleaned out so it's not going to be something I'll be working on. Also, is there a way to "like" posts I have not figured that one out yet.
 
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Thanks for the replies, everyone. Not sure what they plan to do with it. But they brought it over and the airbag light is on and it smells like a lot of saltwater.
I know they are going to get a qualified mechanic if they want to get everything cleaned out so it's not going to be something I'll be working on. Also, is there a way to "like" posts I have not figured that one out yet.

Good luck finding a qualified mechanic that will touch it.
 
Started to type up a procedure to save it and then realized you mentioned it is a 2021 era vehicle...

Guarantee it is a total loss if it was submerged in salt water

Just curious, since it probably will be a total loss, what happens. They just "trade it in" at the dealer and they take it to an auction to be sold as a totaled vehicle?
 
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Just curious, since it probably will be a total loss, what happens. They just "trade it in" at the dealer and they take it to an auction to be sold as a totaled vehicle?

Nope if they have full coverage, insurance pays them or the loan off.

No dealer will touch it except for the Miami Mafia used car dealers.
 
I would drain the oil and look for water in it. That should give you a good indication if water made its way into the engine. I would replace the oil filter. If you see water in the oil, it probably isn't a good sign. If water has pooled on top of the manifold, that probably isn't a good sign. I would just dry it as much as possible. I would also remove the intake and filters and look for water and dry as much as possible. I would pull the distributor and plugs and check them and dry them. If you can get it to start smoothly, then I would run it until the engine comes to normal temperature.
 
Nope if they have full coverage, insurance pays them or the loan off.

No dealer will touch it except for the Miami Mafia used car dealers.

Remember hearing about used car shortages?? In a few months that will be cured. Like Jerry said, every scumbag dealer will buy up those flood vehicles, clean them out and stick them on their lots or ship them off to like dealers for unsuspecting buyers. Been there, seen that one.
 
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Fresh Water is much different than Salt Water, Id might take on a fresh water project if I really loved the vehicle but I can't see wasting time on something that's been submerged in salt water.
 
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Fresh Water is much different than Salt Water, Id might take on a fresh water project if I really loved the vehicle but I can't see wasting time on something that's been submerged in salt water.

I once watched a very vivacious blonde emerge from the salt water on Sanibel Island and believe me when I tell you that she was not a waste of time 😏