View Full Version : Killed my car - can anyone help?
Today my car took a detour through some deep water (don't ask) and now it is dead. Money is tight enough at the mom with a new mortgage on its way next month, am even being forced to consider selling my beautiful bike.
Got a tow from the RAC home, but cannot get the car to a mechanic until next week.
I either need someone local to be recommended to me as the bloke I usually go to is busy.
Or if anyone (please the ORG knows all) can talk me through some things I may be able to do.
The car is a 97 BMW 525tds - yep diesel too!!!
Have posted on a 5 series forum, they just aren't as much cop as the mighty ORG of the SV!!!
Thanks in advance.
I can do without it but my wife uses it for work and getting the kids about - I have the bike, can run or cycle.
caz650s
23-06-08, 05:40 PM
Sorry to hear that ...
But if a diesel sucks water into its bores and hydraulics the pistons it is usualy 'goodnight engine'..sorry to be the bearer of bad news :( ..
Does it still crank over and sound 'normal' if it does you may be lucky
no - nothing just a clunk
caz650s
23-06-08, 06:00 PM
Oh nooooo ... the engine has got water in the cylinder bores and the pistons cant compress it .. hence the clunk as a long shot you could try and turn the engine anti clockwis ..with a socket on the crank pulley to relieve some of the pressure and then remove the injectors make sure nobody is any where near the vehicle and try and crank it over it may pump the water out of the bores ...but BEWARE it will pump out under EXTREME pressure and would do serious damage to anyone that it hit !
If that works try and start the engine but remove the air filter and trunking that may still have water in it.... because if it fires up and then it sucks water in again your luck will run out !!! ( the turbo intercooler will be full of water also ) hope this helps a bit ..fingers crossed but the engine is more than likely totaled i am afraid :(
Caz thanks there is an ever so slight glimmer of hope that I'll try.
Any ideas on how to do any of those things?
the_lone_wolf
23-06-08, 06:25 PM
sorry to add more bad news, but if it has ingested water it could be done for... my dad had the same vehicle as a company car many moons back, he hit a puddle on the island and it sucked water, the repair bill was pretty horrific iirc, certainly over a grand
neillfergie
23-06-08, 06:38 PM
best not to try to turn the car over at all till you get someone who knows how to remove the injectors or head and see the extent of the damage. it sounds like it got some water in the cylinder but if it wont turn over it might not be totalled just yet, their tough old birds diesels. best to strip off the head and assess the extent of water damage without turning it over. its not as bad as it sounds just take a haynes manual and your time careful not to lose any bolts or clips. one your in mop up any water, clean it all down with wd 40 and build the head back up. then dismantle the airbox and make sure its clear of water and debris. finally check to see if it turns over briefly, you may need to manually pump the diesel through if its air locked after being stripped. if it turns freely even if it doesn't start your going to be ok. just keep pumping the diesel and keep it cranking for 10 - 15secs before giving the started a rest to cool down. use jumpers from another car to help if the battery is low. if it turns over but wont start after a few tries it prob best to get a pro involved.
good luck mate but you will be surprised the abuse that cars will survive, its the labour bills which kill you so try to get the donkey work done yourself.
caz650s
23-06-08, 06:43 PM
Caz thanks there is an ever so slight glimmer of hope that I'll try.
Any ideas on how to do any of those things?
If its an auto take it out of 'park' and into neutral and then if you can get to any of the pullies at the front of the engine try to turn it anticlockwis ..only need to be a small amount just to take some of the pressure away from the injectors before you try and remove them.
As for the injectors they will be tight and you will need a deep socket to remove them ..after removing the fuel pipes ..on your engine the injectors are buried under all of the plastic covers that cover the cylinder head....please dont get your hopes up too high ! it is abit of along shot !!
PS once the injectors are removed you wont do any more damage than may already be present by cranking it over.
Don't even have the sufficient tools for turning the crank!
Can I claim on my insurance?
muffles
23-06-08, 07:26 PM
Hope you get it sorted cheaply; guy at work had an 07 525td. Operative word being 'had'...his wife drove it through a 'puddle' during the floods last year (or was that early this year - think last year though).
Needless to say she copped it for that one! Car stopped, she had to get out and wade away...same with the mother in law...anyway a £27k repair bill later (car was worth £25k ish) it was written off, he showed me the quote & they had quoted for replacing the engine at a cost of £10k! Still, that's what dealers do...I'm not sure how much in terms of parts it would actually cost to repair but I thought it would be (relatively) cheap - but you need to be able to do the work yourself...
muffles
23-06-08, 07:27 PM
Can I claim on my insurance?
If fully comp, you can claim for any damage regardless of cause (I'm sure there's some exclusions), can't you?
Perhaps that is the answer then - I am fully comp. Just read through the insurance docs and it doesn't say whether I am or am not covered.
stewart-250
23-06-08, 09:33 PM
Can I claim on my insurance?
Should be able to. A mate of mine did in a petrol passat many years ago. Drove into a flood and sucked up water twisting the crank when it locked up. He claimed his (fully comp) insurance without a problem. Hitting a puddle and trashing an engine isn't really that different from hitting a wall and trashing your bodywork. At the end of the day you have hit something and damaged your car so your insurance company should pay up.
best of luck anyway
cheers
Stewart
I'll have to bell them 1st thing then - It never rains.........
It will be hydraulicaly locked :( and therefore fecked without a rebuild :( happened to a friends 5 series, the airbox is in a stupid low place.
He did claim off insurance though for flood damage, although they did specificaly ask whether he DROVE into the flood or whether the car was stationary......he said stationary.....if you drive into it, its contributory negligence and they dont have to pay out.
Bugger - I just spoke to the ins company and they are getting it taken to an approved repairer for assesment.
The problem is that:
1. The market value of the car will be less than it is actually worth to us. It is on Parkers for about £3k ish!
2. It was my father-in-laws car before he passed away.
3. It was my fault for sure and I hadn't seen this post before calling the insurance company.
3. It was my fault for sure and I hadn't seen this post before calling the insurance company.
Did you admit liability for it being driven into water? If you did... ouch.
muffles
24-06-08, 08:40 AM
Maybe get it back from the insurers and find a new engine from a breakers?
454697819
24-06-08, 10:38 AM
wouldnt they have a hard time proving that you deliberatly drove it into the puddle?
afterall if you deliberatly drive down the road, and hit a puddle, you are still deliberatly driving... the puddle got in the way!
If you stopped.. waded in realise it was 4 ft deep then decided to carryon.. sure your fault...
fingers crossed for sure..
wouldnt they have a hard time proving that you deliberatly drove it into the puddle?
Yeah, nobody deliberately drives into a tree, so why should a puddle be different?
Yeah, nobody deliberately drives into a tree, so why should a puddle be different?
I know a few people that have actually... but that's a different subject.
Why not tell the insurance what really happened, you had to drive through the puddle, due to taking avoiding action of another road user, but unfortunately you didn't get their details as they were going the other way, and way too fast for you to record registration details.
yorkie_chris
24-06-08, 11:25 AM
Maybe get it back from the insurers and find a new engine from a breakers?
+1 then you can recover some money stripping the old one
Though on the subject of puddles... a friend of mine earnt a lot of money in the last bout of floods towing cars out of "puddles" The wonders of owning a series 3 lightweight with perkins diesel engine and a snorkel.
muffles
24-06-08, 11:52 AM
The wonders of owning a series 3 lightweight with perkins diesel engine and a snorkel.
Oh yeah, and Kev...put a snorkel on yer next car ;)
OUCH INDEED.......They haven't said much, but they are picking it up in a minute, to assess the damage and then report back.
What are the likely outcomes here?
Gazza77
24-06-08, 02:12 PM
OUCH INDEED.......They haven't said much, but they are picking it up in a minute, to assess the damage and then report back.
What are the likely outcomes here?
Well assuming the engine is stuffed, one of two outcomes I guess. You're covered, they pick up the tab and either repair or write off and pay out. You're not covered, you get the car back with a possible bill for looking at it. That's what I would expect anyway.
Having said that, if you weren't covered, I wouldn't have expected them to even look at the car to start with....
What actually happened?
Bridge blocked so drove through the ford! It was a bit deepr than usual and well the rest is history. I'll be gutted if it is written off.
If the engine is goosed, then I would imagine that it will be written off as the engine repair will be more than (I think its 75%) of the total cost of the car.
Keep optimistic though - remember the Toyota Hilux on Top Gear??
Having said that, if you weren't covered, I wouldn't have expected them to even look at the car to start with....
If they think they can profit from it, I'm sure they'd look at it. They'll do anything to get out of paying the policy remember.
Keep optimistic though - remember the Toyota Hilux on Top Gear??
That was an amazing car, but we're talking about a Beemer here. :lol: (sorry krhall - had to be said).
neillfergie
25-06-08, 09:05 AM
after the nuclear war the world will be full of cockroaches driving hilux!!!
Am currently on hold to find out what the outcome is likely to be on this.
Gazza77
27-06-08, 10:12 AM
Am currently on hold to find out what the outcome is likely to be on this.
Good luck/
muffles
27-06-08, 11:57 AM
Am currently on hold to find out what the outcome is likely to be on this.
Still on hold? :)
Gazza77
27-06-08, 12:25 PM
Still on hold? :)
Probably an overseas call centre. :rolleyes:
Sounds like the call center could be in Spain and they've all gone for Siesta...I'd hang up and ring back later mate...
muffles
27-06-08, 12:43 PM
Gonna be one helluva phone bill...
Lol - Still no news, the garage has put an estimate in for £3495.10 +VAT for repair. I personally think they'll write it off but they can't confirm until one of the insurance co.s engineers has read the reports!!!!
More time for Mrs.H to b*ll*ck me and make me feel worse than I already do. I have already put the bike up for sale to try and get an interim solution, but no sod wants to buy it.
Gazza77
27-06-08, 01:13 PM
Lol - Still no news, the garage has put an estimate in for £3495.10 +VAT for repair. I personally think they'll write it off but they can't confirm until one of the insurance co.s engineers has read the reports!!!!
More time for Mrs.H to b*ll*ck me and make me feel worse than I already do. I have already put the bike up for sale to try and get an interim solution, but no sod wants to buy it.
The key question is: are they going to fork out for it, whether it's economic to repair or not, or are you going to have to face the bill?
No idea, they are not that forthcoming with info!
muffles
30-06-08, 06:06 PM
And...
Give the man a chance....
He's still on hold. :smt043
He's still on hold. :smt043
I might as well be apparently I will find out tomorrow, talk about prolong the agony!!!!
muffles
30-06-08, 08:00 PM
I might as well be apparently I will find out tomorrow, talk about prolong the agony!!!!
:D Is this to find out if they are covering it?
Just got the letter I was waiting for:
Our engineer has now examined your car and it is their initial view that your car is uneconomic to repair. However this assessment may change should further information come to light.
I think that means they are covering it......the problem is I now have to transfer the private plate on it and SORN it and I still don't know what they are going to give me for it.
Arghhhhhh! Damn teenage vanity, but something won't let me give up the plate....
Anyone got a glasses guide?
muffles
01-07-08, 09:24 AM
Anyone got a glasses guide?
Optician can probably help you there :p
Unfortunately I don't have one, auto trader can be used to work out a price - Glasses would help you with finding trade prices, etc, wouldn't it (which you don't want)?
No I don't want but I think it is what they use!!!!
I need to buy her indoors a new car now - ideas on a post card please to:
If I don't Get it Right She'll Kill Me
c/o Battered Husbands Association
No.2 Under the Thumb House
I Never Get anything Right Lane
yorkie_chris
01-07-08, 10:41 AM
Nissan micra 1.0 .... round or about 2000/2001, should find one with MOT for 300 quid, spend the change on a bike.
Not sure that would help replace any brownie points though!
muffles
01-07-08, 11:27 AM
It'll get you around though, will allow you to spend the insurance money on other things too :D (I know you were trying to cut back before)
The insurer shouldn't offer you trade prices for your car unless that's what you can buy them for (e.g. I believe trade policies only pay out trade prices). If they try that you show them adverts of similar cars and ask for that price - they are meant to put you back into the position you were in before, so that's what they need to pay so that you can do that.
Well fingers crossed then. I'd be quite happy with a £500 cheapie for running around in, but that's mainly because I use the bike apart from at weekends. Mrs H on the other hand WILL NOT do the same. She has hired a Corsa this week and keep hinting how nice it is, but they aren't very cheap.
I do however want to keep the petrol consumption down as it is only ever going to go up so under 1.2 would be ideal.
yorkie_chris
01-07-08, 11:37 AM
The 1 liter corsas are f###ing horrible. But you can get them cheap.
Gazza77
01-07-08, 11:44 AM
No I don't want but I think it is what they use!!!!
I need to buy her indoors a new car now - ideas on a post card please to:
If I don't Get it Right She'll Kill Me
c/o Battered Husbands Association
No.2 Under the Thumb House
I Never Get anything Right Lane
If they do pay out, give her the cheque and tell her to buy what she wants with it. No come back then. :cool:
or I could get myself a GSXR and put a side car on the SV for her and the kids?
The I would get the "but you didn't help me comeback......"
muffles
01-07-08, 11:50 AM
She doesn't want you to get a new car for her.
She wants you to want to get a new car for her. :)
Right - Finally out of the dog house now, her choice Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso is now in her possession and she has a grin as wide as mine when I picked up the SV!
Still got to go through the insurance and see if they are going to pay me out......
Right - Finally out of the dog house now, her choice Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso is now in her possession and she has a grin as wide as mine when I picked up the SV!
Still got to go through the insurance and see if they are going to pay me out......
Expensive way to get out of the dog house, especially if the insurance company don't pay out!! :lol:
Well there are some things in life more important than money:
1. My sanity.
2. A quiet marital life.
3. My eardrums........
Just wait until things start falling off of it.......did anyone see topgear the other night.
Just wait until things start falling off of it.......did anyone see topgear the other night.
Funny you should say that, I just mentionned your problems to the guy sat next to me in the office "Ah, so from a mechanical problem to a whole host of electrical problems."
I look forward to your posts of "x, y and z doesn't work on the Alfa... help!" hehe!
muffles
08-07-08, 08:08 AM
Good luck with the insurance! Does this give you the "ticket" for the next big purchase now...? *cough* GSX-R600 *cough* ;)
I furnished her with all the relevant information and pointed out that an Alfa could be a bottomless pit of money, but she insisted that she wanted it and takes full responsibility for the purchase....
When it goes wrong though I know it will be my fault!!!!!
As an aside, whilst looking for different cars, I joined a few forums trying to get some info on each models...........................there is only one real forum on the entire internet and this is it.
The others are pony in comparrisson!!!
Ages for a response, if at all and then condescending at that!!!
Good luck with the insurance! Does this give you the "ticket" for the next big purchase now...? *cough* GSX-R600 *cough* ;)
Well that is very dependant on the insurance outcome, but had crossed my mind. George Whites are offering a brand new K7 for £5695..................I mentioned it a few times when we got home last night, catching her in the peak of a good mood!
muffles
08-07-08, 08:18 AM
Well that is very dependant on the insurance outcome, but had crossed my mind. George Whites are offering a brand new K7 for £5695..................I mentioned it a few times when we got home last night, catching her in the peak of a good mood!
Try selling it to her as "a £1500 saving" or "20% off"...women love looking at it that way instead ;) I think it makes the shopping part of their brain go all warm and fuzzy! :p (just waiting for a reply from one of the .org ladies now lol!)
Just went on their site and can't find the bloody deal.
muffles
08-07-08, 08:45 AM
Yeah I just got GW to email me their "prices of the week" and it didn't have and 600K7 deals on it (didn't show it at all) - I wonder if they've run out :(
I know dealers were selling them for £6000 around March time so hopefully there's a bargain or two still to be had!
Lovely cars those 147s particularly the Lusso models however.....a mate had one with all the bells & whistles on and had no end of problems with it. In the end he cut his losses and sold it on.
I keep looking at Alfas and its ridiculous how much car you can get for your money, but unfortunately it seems that its also ridiculous how many problems you get for your money
I had a very little blast round the block in it last night and it is only a 1.6 but very-VERY rapid!
Looks nice too, but the wait for the first bill has already commenced.
Finally got an insurance offer:
£3200 - £350 (excess) = £2800......
Sound fair? The way my luck is poxed at the moment I am tempted just to say yes lets, get it sorted.
muffles
10-07-08, 12:14 PM
How much are they advertised for in Autotrader?
muffles
10-07-08, 12:17 PM
What's the spec again? I'll see if I can find something somewhere...
Nah - I think I have just found one which makes the offer seems reasonable.
My luck is poxed so messing anyone about might be bad.
BMW 525 TDS SE Auto - 91k Miles FSH. Leather Mot til Jan. 97 R reg......
muffles
10-07-08, 12:27 PM
Yeah a quick look on Autotrader does show a few, seems like a reasonable price - I'm seeing '98 models with ~90k miles at around £3,500, one '98 with 113k at £3,200. It goes quite high in terms of mileage to lower the price much, e.g. '98 with 200k was up at £2,500.
Agree then and accept it I think sounds like the plan to me.
Mr Toad
10-07-08, 01:15 PM
I'm looking to sell my Beemer as I don't need a second car with my new job
523 SE Auto T Reg, Leather, Climate, etc. FSH, 143k miles
make me an offer - you might get a bargain :wink:
Car has already been replaced - but as it has been replaced with and alfa, if it is still for sale in two days I might be in touch.........
Have you been on the Parkers price guide website that should tell you how much your car is worth and it's free unless the car is older than a 97 model
Oh brilliant - SV went yesterday and today the insurance have up'd the offer to £3600 and sent a cheque with it saying that if I cash it, it will not affect any future negotiations.......thanks insurance!!! A day or two earlier you g1ts!
Am happy with this amount though so will accept it and sign it off. Sort the o/d out properly now.
Is that sort of my luck changing for the better, but not quite in time.
muffles
29-08-08, 11:21 AM
Every cloud has a silver lining and all that...new bike ;)
the_lone_wolf
29-08-08, 11:22 AM
yep, £3600 will get you a beast of a KTM;)
Mr Speirs
29-08-08, 11:57 AM
Hows the Alfa fairing? Used to have a 2.0 156 selespeed. Was the best car ive ever owned even with the problems. The looks and performance alone outway the cost unless you get a absolute lemon the its a pain in the ****.
BTW check when the Cam Belts were last changed on the 147. They need to be replaced every 36k miles.
The alfa is ok, as I said I don't drive it too often, but we've done quite a few miles in it and thus far all is good. Not sure I could personally live with it day-to-day as the gear box isn't really to my liking. That said for a 1.6 it is rapid and oh yeah cambelts done.
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