I was browsing the internet the other day and found a 1985 GT that had flood damage and as a result is not running. I am planning on going to look at it this Friday. What are some things I should look for?? What are some top reasons it may not run, judging by the sound of it, the vehicle was only partially underwater and only for a few hours. I know it seems like a dumb questions but this is kind of new territory for me and I am just lookin for some insight. Many thanks in advance!

Frankly, for a notchie V6 that doesnt run, youd probably have to give it to me, add in flood damage, and you better be paying me to haul it away.

For it to not be running due to water, it had to have been very deep, probably to the top of the center tunnel.

You really dont want to get into a flood damaged car, there is a reason there is so much stigma attatched to them. Its not just the interior damage and moldy stinky carpet and seats. The water will cause some immediate problems, shorting out mostly, but the real problem comes in 6-24 months, when random corrosion starts getting bad enough to break connections and cause problems.

I dont know how much he's wanting for it but no matter what I would say its going to cost you more to fix it than to buy a descant fiero that wasn't in a flood.
A big problem with floods is not just the mold, and electrical damage but all the chemicals that the floods pick up from toxin's in house cleaners, to sewage. In either case I wouldn't even consider the car. The engine is probably flooded if not running which would cost you. Then again you could get lucky.
hope all works out for you.

The car could have hydro locked if the intake sucked in water. Pull the spark plugs and see if it will turn over, it it does change the oil, drain the fuel tank and after topping off the fluids try and start it. "Put the spark plugs back in"

[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 09-30-2008).]

from what I understand it was only half way up the drivers door

quote Originally posted by 1987 Trans Am: from what I understand it was only half way up the drivers door

Sorry I missed that the first time I read your post.

If it doesn't 'smell' moldy and has a title, I'd offer $200. You can do what's been said above about checking the engine for water inside, take out the interior and clean thoroughly. Worst comes to worst you can strip it for parts for the next cheap non-flood car you find and then get money for scrap for the carcass.

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Notchbacks RULE

"Let a man drive a Fiero and he'll own one.
Teach a man to fix a Fiero and he'll own eight....errr...nine."

If you can smell mold, the carpet, and all fabric will be toast. It is almost impossible to bring back moldy seat packing. The carpet won't likely be savable either.

If the car was rust free, it will sure have rust now. Especially if the flood water was salt water.

This type of car is likely good to do a full body off resto but not much less.

Arn

I wouldn't touch it....

Just my opinion....sorry.

sounds like a parts car to me. Or if you could get it for cheap and planned on using it to fab parts off of, or to build a tube frame and use it for racing or something.

Me, I'd buy the car for up to $500, get it about 2 feet in the air, spot weld a nail to a mini-sledge hammer, and perforate the underside in strategic locations. I'd remove, drain, and flush the fuel tank, trash the seats and carpet, drain the engine oil, remove the spark plugs, turn the engine over with a socket on a breaker bar, - just 720 degrees, then replace th oil filter and oil.
Then I'd have to go through the car, top and bottom, with something to kill any and all bacteria.
From there, depends on what I'd found so far. But I'd take it, and it'd be back on the road again someday.

Locate a dry Fiero, buy it and be happy.

I agree with others. all the upholstery will be shot. Water prob not only got in engine, but exhaust, brakes, transmission making them all about worthless. That not even mentioning all the wiring and electronics that are at best unreliable anymore. You will have good body panels and wheels/tires though.

I agree with the guys here, I too am buying a couple of fieros with flood damage that belong to DCFox (David). This cars have been completely submerged under six feet of water for at least a cuople days. I m buying these merely for the body panels. I would be very leery about using anything else off these two cars.

If this is going to be the first fiero you own. then after buying this one you are gonna hate then all because you are gonna get nothing but problems down the line with a flooded car. If I got it. It would have to be for parts only. You are better off looking into a Fiero that is dry if you really want to enjoy one. My opinon dont do it.

Quickly............Turn and run from this one!

The question is whether it was salt water or fresh. If it was saltwater, then the car will rust out quickly, & all the electrical will corrode. Walk away. If fresh, then the above posters may be a little on the paranoid side. You will have to replace the carpet & upholstery, but you may get lucky & not have to do that much to the rest of the car. Change the oil & fluids, check to make sure the fuel dosen't have water in it.
But...these cars do not cost much so you may be better off buying a running car. Myself, I like to save cars that can be - I guess it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Bottom line is buy it if it was fresh water & you just want something to work on & fix up - & it's cheap.
I bought a mo-ped when I was a kid that was flooded up to the handlebars. The guy had tried to clean out the carb & tank but couldn't get it running. I cleaned out the carb & tank, & had it running in a couple hours. It didn't need anything else but a good washing.

If it were up to me i wouldnt buy it. Although it would deffenetly be a neat project if you could get it running with little or no problems. Just gotta think of what you're getting into with water damage. Seen flooded vehicals (not a fiero but still seen them) before, not a pretty site. Just adding my 2 sense, hope all goes well

i wish i could find a flooded 85 gt for dirt cheep.... i need a new decklid and front facia and other random panels

I just bought a 86 GT $500 no flood i would give nothing for a flooded car to much of a headache

[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 10-05-2008).]

too many problems with a flodded car you would be starting over practically wait around fieros are always going up for sale good deals usually make there way to the mall section here.the worst part is the headache you will acquire from getting into it. beleive the rest of us it isnt worth restoring at best its a parts car.

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