Options for a moron

That looks like the engine is only good for spares keep it for bits for yourself or others

Sort out another engine

Once all the ancillaries are off and the exhaust header out of the way it is just engine mounts and bell housing bolts that is holding it in not too bad a job

The cost mounts up when you say to yourself best put a clutch on it, be a good idea to replace this and that when it was ok before
 
I’m intrigued to know how this happened. The engine compartment is well protected against spray and you should be able to wade 8” of water no problem with the intake being at the top of the engine. But you got a lot of water in there. :?
 
Short version, I'm a moron.
Long version, it was perhaps 20m of water to traverse under a rail bridge. I estimated it being about maybe a foot deep at most. I'd made it through a much longer flood earlier using the 'walking pace, bow wave, 1st gear, revs up' technique. But the flood over that section of road, my usual route home looked longer and deeper. Thought I'd search for an alternative which led me to the dangerous stretch of water in question. I spent a minute eyeing it up, thought I'd go for it and for some reason went in far too quickly. The water didn't come over the bonnet but the water in front was higher than the bonnet but being pushed forwards. Realised my stupidity straight away and slowed, slipping the clutch to keep the revs up but to no avail. I nearly made it through when I came to a stop in roughly 8 inches of water. I don't know how deep it was in the middle, but it didn't come into the cabin.
Like I said. Moron. 🙄
 
PDJ said:
Quary motor parts in Sheffield will have an engine

Thanks for the pointer. Just had a look on their site and looks good. I'd hate to spend money on an ebay one only to get it running and find out it's knackered.
 
Jamie25 said:
PDJ said:
Quary motor parts in Sheffield will have an engine

Thanks for the pointer. Just had a look on their site and looks good. I'd hate to spend money on an ebay one only to get it running and find out it's knackered.
How about you get the replacement engine running but other parts are knackered? It sounds a bit of risk. An expensive sounding one.
 
That's a fair point Stevo but if the insurance don't payout, my only other option is to break or scrap it. If I buy the engine and something else is faulty, I can still sell the engine and break or scrap the car.
It wasn't sitting in water for more than five minutes, and I don't think it was 'that' deep, just poor technique on my part going in too fast. No ideal options really.
 
Jamie25 said:
That's a fair point Stevo but if the insurance don't payout, my only other option is to break or scrap it. If I buy the engine and something else is faulty, I can still sell the engine and break or scrap the car.
It wasn't sitting in water for more than five minutes, and I don't think it was 'that' deep, just poor technique on my part going in too fast. No ideal options really.

I noticed the eBay engine seller offered a fitting service. Is it worth asking for a quote to get a ballpark figure? Also if it did need other bits and pieces they may have them to hand.
 
I spent £500 on a new sump earlier on this year, so selling parts off your old engine could bring in some cash to offset your expenses.
Good luck.
 
Jamie25 said:
That's a fair point Stevo but if the insurance don't payout, my only other option is to break or scrap it. If I buy the engine and something else is faulty, I can still sell the engine and break or scrap the car.
It wasn't sitting in water for more than five minutes, and I don't think it was 'that' deep, just poor technique on my part going in too fast. No ideal options really.
This a general question to the wider audience. Is there any reason why the insurance would not pay out?
 
Stevo1987 said:
Jamie25 said:
That's a fair point Stevo but if the insurance don't payout, my only other option is to break or scrap it. If I buy the engine and something else is faulty, I can still sell the engine and break or scrap the car.
It wasn't sitting in water for more than five minutes, and I don't think it was 'that' deep, just poor technique on my part going in too fast. No ideal options really.
This a general question to the wider audience. Is there any reason why the insurance would not pay out?

Something to do with an expectation that you'll take reasonable precautions or care of the car. Driving into flood water is seen as negligent. Seems some payout and some don't. I had a quick look at my documents and online but couldn't see anything concrete either way. Happened at 11pm on the 23rd and got it back home on the 24th. By the time I'd had a proper look at it phone lines were closed.
 
I would hope your insurance would cover it. If there were no signs and it was dark you wouldn't be able to tell how deep it the water was.

I know when I was handling motor claims back in the 80s anything that had been in water above the centre of whe wheels was written off as a matter of course because when repairs to cars damaged that bady in the past had just lead to ongoing electrical issues which obviously upset owners and cost the insurer money!

If you do end up swapping the engine yourself make sure you get enough of the electrical bits with the replacement engine or I believe you can have coding problems when you try to get it running.
 
You’ve had an accident, it was dark. If you’ve got fully comp you should be OK. This is where having “quality” insurance is worth it. The cheaper insurers will quibble over everything. My son had an accident last year and the insurers had an adjuster check the tyres were in good condition before they’d meet the claim, even though the car he was driving only had 4K miles on it from new.
 
Just to update, seems the insurance are willing to payout, the only question remaining is how much. Initially they wanted to take it to a storage yard for an assessor to visit, but instead were happy to receive photos and info from me. If it'd gone to the yard I wouldn't be able to get it back if they made a daft offer.
Gave it a clean today and sent off the photos. Sad times.
Hoping to be able to buy it back for very little and break it. Don't really want to but seems to make financial sense.
IMG_20201230_120508.jpg
 
Jamie25 said:
Seems criminal to break something so nice....

IMG_20201230_120534.jpg
Looks very clean. Did you give it a nice wash? :roll: Apologies for that. I am glad the insurance are going to pay out.
 
Jamie25 said:
Of course! Was pretty clean anyway but would've been daft not to!
I was out in mine over the weekend. I took a road that I had never been down before and came to a fork. One side said "ford" so I though booger that, remembering your story. I went the other way and there was puddle. Well, more than a puddle. I slowly reversed all the way back. A shame your car looks nice. Is it worth the engine swap? Probably a heart over head decision I guess.
 
Well at least I might've saved someone else from a watery fate. 😁
My heart says replace the engine. I've spent a fair bit of time getting the car just so.
But head says break it. If I replace the engine at a cost of roughly £1000, there's still the chance something else is wrong (as someone else pointed out). Even if it goes well I'll be left with a 'cat' car that's worth less and costs more to ensure. If I break it I'll likely recoup roughly what it was worth before I drowned it. Doesn't feel right though!
 
Good news that your insurer is accepting your claim, even if that is what you pay for. :roll:

Sad news is that the most financially sensible option seems likely to be breaking your car, which seems such a shame when it looks that good.

Could you maybe keep all the best bits and fit them to a cheap tired replacement?

Hopefully they will give you a sensible offer but if they don't make sure you haggle, and however it works out I hope you get a decent outcome. :thumbsup:
 
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