When cars don’t weather the storm

Los Angeles attorney Judith Karfiol was among those California motorists who found themselves mopping up rainwater that had leaked into their vehicles during the recent storms.

Karfiol discovered the leak in her 1998 Volvo sedan during the height of the storms. Her 8-year-old daughter climbed into the back seat on the way to school and found a puddle on the seat and a soaked floorboard

Certainly a soaked back seat was no life-or-death matter in the storms that claimed more than two dozen lives. Nevertheless, dealing with a rain-sodden vehicle can be upsetting and time-consuming.

“It was awful,” Karfiol says. “Everything was soaked. The windows were so fogged up it was like sitting in a steamy bathroom.”

At International Auto Glass in Long Beach, leaky vehicles were lined up to be serviced during the storms. And in a quick survey last week, I heard complaints from one driver who discovered 5 inches of water in his car and another who bailed out at least a gallon of water from the passenger side floor. Others reported trunks filled with water, puddles in seats and leaky windows.

But Dave Skaien at the Automobile Club of Southern California says motorists shouldn’t have a problem even in heavy rains if seals around windows, doors and sunroofs were installed properly and are in good condition.

Ken Zion, owner of Automotive Collision Consultants, a private accident investigation company, says vehicles that have been in accidents may be particularly prone to leaks. Though factory defects could account for some problems, he says improper repairs or replacement of windows and doors cause most of the leaks. Sometimes window openings are distorted and don’t fit properly after an accident and allow water to come through.

Water damage to the engine can be very serious and costly, says Zion. A car parked on a hill near Pasadena in a recent storm was totaled after street water came into the manifold, up through the filtration system and into the engine.

Vehicle interiors often get soaked if vents or drain tubes designed to drain water off the vehicle are plugged up, Zion says.

Over time, leaves, dirt and other material can get trapped in the vents, resulting in water dripping inside the vehicle. Cleaning out the drain holes a couple of times a year can correct the problem. If car doors are distorted or not properly sealed, water can splash inside the vehicle on a wet freeway, Zion warns.

If the vehicle’s interior is soaked, mop up the water immediately, advises Skaien. If possible, pull up the carpets and insulation from the vehicle’s floor and air them out.

Because many vehicles operate with electronic and computer equipment, it’s important to prevent water from reaching the equipment, especially since some of it may be housed beneath the seats, Skaien says. Water damage can play havoc with the equipment, causing computer connections to short out and equipment to fail.

Whether your vehicle sustains water damage in a flash flood or because of a significant leak, it’s likely the damage will be covered under comprehensive auto insurance, says Candysse Miller of the Insurance Information Network of California.

Farmers Insurance Group, for example, will cover vehicle water damage as long as it is “sudden and accidental,” says spokeswoman Mary Flynn. But if motorists are “constantly leaving their sunroof open” and there’s long-term damage, it won’t be covered, she says.

Finding the source of a leak can be difficult. To check for leaks after the rain has stopped, Zion suggests having someone sit in the car while you spray the vehicle with a garden hose. Start at the bottom of thecar and slowly work your way up as the occupant watches for leaks.

To protect your vehicle, have your mechanic or dealership check the seals to make sure they are not worn.

And Miller advises not to make the mistake one of her neighbors did when he left the hood of his new Mini Cooper up during the storm. It cost him an engine.

Jeanne Wright can be reached at jeanrite@aol.com.