U R Not Going To Believe This - HELP!

[pjmc91gt]

Hello from the epicenter of Hurricane Ike's storm surge. With water pouring in my garage I jacked my '08 GT500 up in the air as high as I could. In the end 1-2 gallons of salt water got in my baby. I cut the carpet out and towel dried it 2 days afterwards. My insurance folks want to see the car. So I drive over there. Now here's the good part. The casualty adjuster asked me what happened? I said the carpet got wet.

Without even looking at the car he told me it was instantly a total loss. I'm not making this up. 2100 miles on it and he wants to total it.

He sent me away while he inspected it. Then he said yep it's totalled and he put into the database that the car is a flood loss. I'll cut to the point. I'm going to save this car with your help. I need to locate new/replacement wiring harnesses. Everything from the kick panels back.

Where do I go to find 'em? Totalled out from a gallon of water, this is a true story. Surely there's a place that has stripped them out of a race car? Or if there is a parts man can you tell me how much it will cost?

PJ McKenna
Orange, TX
pjmc91@hotmail.com
409-344-2557

[shelby6t5]

I wish you luck!

M.

[rsimkins]

Did he give you a reason for totaling it? Like maybe the fact that it was salt water and not fresh water that got in the car? Maybe the insurance folks are worried that corrosion will be a problem down the line and are trying to cover their butts. Strange.

[Doug_GT350]

That sux big time, obviously that adjuster wasn't a "car guy". There are some that have been truly totaled and are in junk yards maybe someone can locate one for you. I'll keep my eyes out. Good luck.

Doug

[DeLa1Rob]

I think Roy is right. I would think you are going to have electrical issues with that car now that it has been exposed to that corrosive sea water.

Take the insurance payment and use it as a down payment on a GT500KR!

robin

[TLEA]

Plus even if you buy the car back after they pay you it will have a salvage title. Shelby + salvage title =

[wcardoc]

I am speaking from an experience standpoint. I was an adjuster for a large insurance company for 10 years. Have done collision and mechanical for 35We would total any car that submerged above the tunel regardless of fresh or salt water. I also remember a gentleman with a Jaguar that was claiming multiple electrical problems after a front end collision. We did a title search and the car had come out of huricane Hugo I think it was, but the man bought it used and we found out he had been having electrical issues from day one. The car had a clean title but had been previously totaled by another company and he had no knowledge of it's history. You may be able to salvage the car but you would have to replace EVERY wiring harness that was submerged or even close to it. Trans wiring, anti lock brake and all sensors etc. You can buy all new from ford but the cost will be expensive. Otherwise you will have repeated issues with corrosion at the terminal ends. Just being in proximity of salt water causes corrosion.

[65k08GT500]

Check out the Hipo Mustang Exchange. http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/default.asp

These guys should be able to help.

[mherman2]

Are you sure he can not end up somehow benefit from totaling it? Like his insurance company can sell it at auction, part it out? Just curious, insurance companies can be dicey sometimes or rushed in his case.

[pjmc91gt]

Sorry to be away without replying. Here's the point - at most 2 gallons of water got inside the car. There was water in the passenger rear footwell only. I am all too familiar with the effects of salt water on the electrical system. The only part of the electrical system that saw water is whatever is underneath the car. A 30 minute drive around Chicago's roads in February would put more salt on the car. That's my gripe, less than 2 gallons of water inside the car and I got that out after 2 days. No doubt it was salt water, it corroded bare aluminum nicely. The carpet padding in the front was wet, but no standing water.

[thewheelman]

Insurance companies generally do not total cars for their own benefit. I had a minimal water damage on my 92 LX 5 speed 5.0, I battled with insurance to keep it from being totaled....and this was "fresh water". Of course it was full of all sorts of nasty stuff, including sewage. Power seat connectors, antilock brake sensors, every inch of wiring under and inside the lower half of the car? Think about the power distribution block, isn't it just above the driver's foot well? Water, any water, wicks into "closed" spaces by nature. Man, I'd hate to lose my baby, I've got just about as many miles on mine as you do, but......

[pjmc91gt]

The insurance company has a policy that states any car that gets any amount of salt water in it will be totalled. Here's what we worked out. I'm going to get the car inspected and send them the no-damage report. The car isn't damaged. The underside of the car is designed to stand up to the salting of roads in the winter. I'll let you know what happens.

[motorjock205]

Sad thing is that once your insurance company posts that information on the car by VIN number, it will always be considered a Total loss car...I doubt you could even get it titled anywhere any more...unless perhaps you were able to get a Salvage title on it. But who in their right mind would want a car with a Salvage title? If they are going to total it, let them and your insurance should provide you a new car. Unfortunately, once the salt water gets into the car, there's more than just the wiring harness and computers that are affected...

[pjmc91gt]

The insurance company was offering sticker price only, handing me a $6,000 loss. Here's the point I am having a lot of trouble getting across - it was no more than 2 gallons of water. It did not get in the dash, not in the seats, not even the door sills. On the second day I cut out the carpet and cleaned the floor. I've been driving the car every day. A shop inspected it and said there was no damage. Once I demanded to drop the claim the insurance company agreed to NOT call it a flood loss but to drop the claim without prejudice. They blamed the state for the trouble. It will cost me a lot less than $6,000 to put in new carpet and the car will not have a salvage title. Thanks for all the kind thoughts, hopefully this is all over.

[rsimkins]

Sounds like this is the best resolution you could have hoped for in a case like this. You certainly did nothing wrong and only wanted to preserve your "baby". Kudos to you for sticking to your guns. Fighting the proverbial "900 lb. gorilla" is not easy.

[patty.dilabio]

Hi to all: This is a suggestion,I would get everything you need from Ford before parts are hard or impossible to get.I would also suggest a brake service and complete fluid replacement-all fliuds,especially brake fluid.It is simple to do and will not cost a fortune.
These cars are not that hard to rewire,once the interior trim is removed if you need to eventually,and if you are driving it daily without any faults it cannot be that bad-places that you cant see like inside the parking brake cables or driveshaft/(universal and cardan joint) could be concerns later.If you have acess to a hoist I would pressure wash it and force dry it with air,then spray it with a light oil like automatic transmission fluid,which will be able to flow into seams and prevent any salt damage from spreading.This can be done with a spray gun,and will drip for awhile,but offers good protection,and can be rinsed off easily.I'm glad you were able to convince them to save it..great work on your part.

[Doug_GT350]

Originally Posted by pjmc91gt

Once I demanded to drop the claim the insurance company agreed to NOT call it a flood loss .....

I was going to suggest this but didn't know if they would allow it. Good for you. Now drive that puppy further inland next time or you may not be as lucky!!!