Saving A Highly Modified Miata With Flood Damage, For Profit? Step 1: Remove Water

Miata is ALWAYS the answer, and even though this one took on a bit of water, there's hardly any reason to part this out. NO, I'm not keeping it. This is a fix and flip. For the money I'll have into it, I should stand to make decent money and still give someone a good deal on a very well built car for much less than it would cost to build one as nice, and just as importantly, keep another one on the road.
This will hopefully be a short series, 3 total videos showing the repair process for freshwater flood damage. These are simple cars and most of the important electronics were higher than the water was, which is what makes this process so simple.
A couple disclaimers.
1. You can fix anything. Doesn't mean you should. Flood cars come with their own challenges and no two flood scenarios are the same. This car just had the right set of circumstances to warrant a repair.
2. Fresh water and salt water floods are insanely different, and require a significantly different amount of work to properly repair.
3. Improperly "cleaned" Flood loss cars can be incredibly troublesome and oftentimes won't show their issues right away.
4. People who knowingly flip flood cars without full disclosure are lower than the scum of the earth.

A few weeks, maybe more ago, I made a post in the community asking you viewers if you'd like to see videos on flood car repairs. This is the "easy repair". I will have a video showing how terrible it can be in the coming month or two.

You can look forward to a midweek video most weeks this year. Part of the new plan :)

Hope you enjoy this video, as always I love all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism.

Catch you all on the next teardown!
-Eric

[Kingsoupturbo]

I feel horrible for Jason the previous owner, 6 speed, lsd, built motor, turbo kit, suspension, wheels, the dream miata build and couldn't buy it back or afford to pay the auction price, there is no way he got back what was put into that amazing machine, labor alone, I felt worse and worse the more I watched and saw how nice that car is. I pour one out for you Jason and your bad luck, may your next one be more lucky!

[rayproductionsbackupchanne]

15:20 as a audio guy. the speaker is fine. it's a plastic woofer. most stock car audio is using a paper woofer. so this might be reusable. it's not been high enough to go into the voice coil to affect it.. i suggest just gently cleaning the front and rear side. give them a quick test. if they don't crackle at reasonable volume. toss them back in. they don't look too bad. though they're not that high end.

[anomamos]

Don’t forget to check the diff and transmission oil for water also the cv boots and steering rack.
Also get some mould spray and clean all the interior surfaces and head liner.

[reviewaccount]

Wouldn't hurt to spray some wax in the doors and rockers after they dry out, and put dielectric grease on all the connectors. Body cavity wax, you can buy in spray cans and they have long tubes to reach into the body panels. Both will reduce the possibility of residual moisture causing rust.

[jacobcashen]

I really enjoy your "non-teardown" videos just as much as the teardowns. This car is a great save, and I feel really bad for your friend who lost it. Glad it got into your hands and that he can see it be repaired!

[QueensGTO_Viper]

Just make the whole engine out of the wristpin - indestructible

[darrendouglas]

Wow that is a shame for Jason 😞 I'm not a Miata guy but that seems like he had a LOT invested in that car. Hats off to you for bringing it back & giving him a chance to get a better payback...

[weekendwarriorweldingdiypr]

It would be very interesting to see how you cleaned that module with the ultrasonic cleaner. I would watch that video, probably more than once.

[dustysrandom]

Sometimes I think I want to take on a car project. Then I watch an episode here and think…. Nah. I’ll just watch Eric do the work.

[thedextertech]

Just a handy little tip: to easily remove the manual window crank clips, slide a shop towel in behind the crank so it snags the clip and alternate pulling down on each side of the towel like milking a cow and the clip will pop right out!

[Michael_CS]

Got to wonder WHY flooded cars (fresh water) are often NOT left open to dry out. Even complex electronics that get wet in fresh water can often be saved by thoroughly washing with CLEAN water followed by a thorough rinse with distilled water. I have seen a hand held two way radio survive after cleaning having been over 24 hours under water turned on! Even salt water damage can be saved like that IF done quickly AND preferably if the item was not powered on when immersed. Always worth a try!

[gsed]

Very well done! It’s really great that you are saving this one.

[Backroad_Junkie]

Bonus video!

Was wondering when flood vehicles would make their way to his shop...

[stanleyone]

Great video! A few thoughts, keep working on the drying out process. I know because my 2019 pickup leaked from the day I bought it. The headliner filled to the top with rain and melting snow water. The dealer commented (with a smile) that it stunk up the whole building when they pulled out the carpets and seats. About three months later I got it back, they replaced the whole interior except the front seats.
Happy ending - the truck smells like new again.

[oldandboosted]

For future reference, if you're trying to dry something out, go rent an LGR dehumidifier. LGR stands for low grain refrigerant. Without getting too technical, it will pull more moisture out of the air. It's what we use when we dry flooded houses

[jerrymalone]

Moral of the story: if the flood damage is not to bad, don't file a claim. Just fix it yourself.

[AMT]

I've rebuilt several flood cars. The mold and the carpet and seats are the worst part. I normally just trash them. the rest isn't that bad. and I've done salt water floods. Wiring has to go on those. Fresh water or salt. Washing out body cavities and underneath is a good practice for stopping rust. Great job Eric!

[colinsdad]

The name of the mystery Insurer is right on the windshield. I'm a customer of said Insurer as well, and have been for just about 15 years. They absolutely WILL NOT allow you to buy back "totalled" cars. In my case, years ago, I had an über rare SVT Focus EAP Model which was totalled when some numbnuts ran a Stop sign, smashing the drivers side hard enough to where they separated/cracked the frame. I could've made a ridiculous amount of money, just parting it out for Model specific parts (e.g. Recaro seats, HIDs, etc). Once they wrote the car off? Buzz off, seemed to be their opinion on the matter. Thank your Buddy for his Service. You got a Deal!

[metalted]

Super cool, video!!
I’ve been buying auction vehicles for the wife and I,
For many years.
Yes a lot of work, but never!!!
Lost money on any!!
Really gotta pick the right ones, and did I mention???
Yes a lot of work, and patience, to make them right.
Great video, great job!!

[thomasfletcher]

Drove one of those at the auction yesterday, I'm 6' and weigh 300 ( it was " fun " getting in and out )