Loss of RS2 to water, Gutted being the understatement

[fourwh33ldriv3]

I work in insurance, albeit not motor but usually you have a right to buy back the salvage, and I would recommend doing that, it saves the insurer disposal and storage costs so usually a reasonable deal can be negotiated. Older water damaged cars tend to get broken not sold on.
I have not heard of your insurer but I do hope the claim goes well. Take plenty of photographs/evidence before doing anything. That is a good tip to put the ECU into rice, but also any other relays etc..you can easily remove. As commented already don't turn the engine over unless the plugs have been removed first. Open any internal or external bung holes you can find. Wash everything else down with fresh water. Buy a big box of WD40 use masses of this, it works wonders and is what we used to use on navy helicopters. Then try and borrow or buy one of those 'carcoon' type dehumidifiers, you may even be able to claim that back off the insurance or get them to agree to allow you to buy to prevent further damage. Even if it looks a mess now don't assume it is a total loss, anything you can do now if you buy the salvage back will make it easier later on.

I am intending to take as much pictures as I can too but I'm ready to put her up on the for sale section now, mind is still too foggy remember it's this and my Q7 which should be ok as we have GAP insurance but still doubly shocking and distressing

[Monkeymagic]

I'd be inclined to keep it out of the hands of the insurance. I don't know how you can stop yourself from getting it out the garage. Have the waters subsided now?

[mdz]

As more users said before I'd not report it to insurance company. Since you didn't start the engine it'll be fine. Electrics on B4 are very simple and wiring looms mostly can be used from any car. Interior can be dried, instruments can be recovered/replaced as well as other as other electronic stuff. Drain all the fluids. If ECU is FUBAR, it can be replaced with another one on at least aftermarket ECM. The car is not lost, it can be rescued and kept on the road.
Wish you the best.

[bluequattro]

Oh cr*p
What a shame
Drain the fluids from engine box and diff ASAP
Leave drain plugs/spark plugs put so more moisture doesn't build up inside and rust internals

[bluequattro]

Oh, and if the damaged shell on eBay is anything to go by then its worth keeping yours or at least showing insurance how much a proper pile of scrap is selling for

[anthonys2]

Mike I know you are gutted with whats happened hell anyone would be to be fair but don't rush into a decision mate. You have and still got one of the nicest RS2's out there and with a little help from fellow forum members we can help get this back to a1 condition mate. Hell I have a warehouse down in the north east where you can stash her if you want for a few months but I know theres the issue of getting her here but the offers there or I have a friend near Berwick that might be able to help with storage. I know people on here are very sympathetic with whats happened and I know from the Scottish meets theres some good people fairly local that would help also and am sorry about your mighty Q7 another fine beast. Hang in there Mike also my garage in Hexham (Autobahn) are great and could probably help out??

[Polarsilver]

A Guy with a Mini Cooper S had a major rally ( tour) accident in 2014 .. His car had a under Insured Value of £7k .. at that time Classic Mini Cooper S values were selling circa £20k+ .. his Classic Insurance would only pay out the insured total loss value of £7k .. he was able to keep the damaged car as he accepted the insured value pay out & his car was not given a insurance black mark... Ok he had the wreck to rebuild so there is a big loss.
I keep my RS2 in a Exterior CarCoon (they are about £600 ).. i am sure over time this type of car cover would fully dry out the car .. ( also with some Wd40 type of help)
Best Wishes that you get the good solution.
NP

[fourwh33ldriv3]

Thank yo again guys for the concerns, and offer of help it really goes a long way to show how good people are on here.

I think I've come to terms that I need to keep her. It will be a difficult one to dry stuff out especially the seats but will talk to a kinda friend who has a spray booth and see if we can put the seats in there to dry out. Once the Q7 has been moved out I can put the RS2 in the middle and lift up onto axle stands again and start the process getting bumpers of and trying to get a good clean where I can underneath, however it may still be too cold in there to assist in drying out the car so I might be looking for someone to help with somewhere warmer than the cold climate to put her and work on her till she's dry at least, once the Q7 has been replaced I will get a trailer and take her to a garage where I can drop the fluids flush out and replace so she won't be getting driven anywhere for a long time and more particularly the electrics will remain isolated until warmer weather and I'm positive that everything has dried out.

So if there is someone here who has or knows of a friend who'd be willing to let me for cheap keep her in a secure place with some warmth I'd appreciate that. It's going to be a ling time before I see her back on the road but will be worth it.

Thanks again guys, oh and Happy New Year wherever you are

[Michael S2]

Good to hear you will keep her Mike. Like many have said it sounds like this great car can live on and be brought back to life. It will be an even more special car to drive after all the effort.

If i can find some warm storage space i will let you know.

[K Simmonds]

As I said in my PM if I were closer I'd offer to help.

Come on guys there's got to be someone who can help with a bit of dry space with electricity. Dehumidifiers work wonders, getting the inside dry is No 1 priority!

I really hope you can get some help soon Mike.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

I'm happy now you've decide to keep here Mike.Top man!! Imho the worst of your troubles if you can respond quickly are the ecu's and as you know there aren't many of them,abs,airbag and engine ecu thats it.You might have to replace the headlining as water inside the car especially at this age tends to ruin the glue bond.

If you think about it the suspension should be absolutely fine,it's been soaked in water,no difference then to a trip down the road in the Scottish winter weather then.So that should be perfect.

As has been said before,you really need to get the car out of there and into a workshop pronto for them to drain all your fluids now.The engine is of main concern.If you can do it quickly i'm sure there will be no water damage/rust as there would be oil residue in the bores to resist rusting but not for long so you need to get this done quickly.

The seats will be a pain,but will only take 10 mins max to get out but again they need to come out quickly to start the drying out process. Once dry they might respond to a damn good valet.

Your car really can be saved if you act quickly.

All the best with it mike.

Mark.

[LGK6D]

Corr, so sorry to hear about this. As others have said, take your time with decision making, not an easy car to replace. The outdoor Carcoon is a good way to dry the car out as you could bag it out and leave the doors and tailgate open or a painters oven if you can get access. I'd be most concerned about the sound deadening and interior trim, if it festers it'll stink like dirty river water.

I know all of us RS2 owners hoard spares because they're getting hard to keep nice. Post up anything you might need, I'm sure we can pull together.

John, shocking photos of your place too!

[fourwh33ldriv3]

I will have a look at a carcoon but right now going to concentrate on getting her stripped, we got the majority of the water out with a wee syphon pump it can hold a fair amount really.

So pic up more when photobucket starts playing properly, and once I start doing the work I will try and take pics and make a new thread with the project, going to talk to the insurance Monday and see if we cannot make a deal, she cannot be categorised if I don't make a claim, and they cannot take her away if there are no wheels on her when the assessor comes out, if he comes out...

Anyway look on the pic and see how high the water came up, but we're getting more water this weekend, only this time she is higher up in the compound by about 3'

[fourwh33ldriv3]

[fourwh33ldriv3]