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pack22
New User
Mar 18, 2010, 12:04 AM
Post #1 of 6
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Question about Rust
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I am contemplating the purchase of a 2003 Ford Econoline Van. The car is located in SW Florida. I had it inspected by a mechanic, he didn't have any issues with the rust that was evident from the photos he emailed me. What do you all think? 3 pictures, one underneath the vehicle, one underneath the passenger seat, and one showing the gas and brake pedal. There is nothing on the carfax about it being flooded, the inspection did not disclose flood damage. Is the rust shown in the pictures indicitive of flood damage or is it just normal oxidation from being a coast vehicle (humidity and salt)? Thanks!
(This post was edited by pack22 on Mar 18, 2010, 8:00 AM)
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under dash 1.JPG
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under seat 1.JPG
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underbody 1.JPG
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steve01832
Veteran
Mar 18, 2010, 4:22 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: Question about Rust
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My biggest concern is the underdash photo. The data link connector was submerged? If so, that would mean a good deal of wiring harness was also. Once water enters inside a connector, the process is started between water and air. It tends to corrode copper turning it green. This results in a higher resistance in the circuit and eventually leads to open conductors. This may run and seem ok now, but, down the road could turn into an electrical nightmare. Just my opinion, but, living here in the Northeast, we see this all of the time.
Steve
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re-tired
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Mar 18, 2010, 8:14 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: Question about Rust
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Flooding in Florida is more common than most think . Besides being at a rather low elevation theres poor drainage. And then theres the herricanes and himicanes. Your quite right Steve on the green corrision. I refer to it as the GREEN DEATH . This vehicle will be a can of worms .
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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nickwarner
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Mar 18, 2010, 3:52 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: Question about Rust
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Could be flood damage that wasn't turned in to an insurance company for some reason, which wouldn't turn up on carfax if so. I'm used to cars rusting from the outside in, not inside out.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 18, 2010, 3:56 PM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: Question about Rust
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I definitely agree with these guys. That car is a swimmer and they are never good risks. They are nightmares that progressively get worse and worse and if it was salt water and that is highly likely, it will disintegrate before your eyes and be an electrical nightmare.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Mar 18, 2010, 3:57 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 19, 2010, 4:07 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: Question about Rust
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Reposted from PM
Hammer Time,
Thanks for the response. The car is actually located in the West Palm Beach area. If you don't mind I have a couple of other questions for you. Do you ever see vehicles that have this kind of rust on the inside or does it only happen on flooded vehicles? The pictures of the rest of the van that the inspection service took are super clean, no water marks anywhere. It is a conversion style van that would have needed a ton of items replaced, I can't fathom them not going through insurance, unless of course they didn't have it at the time of a flood. If you had to place a % on how sure you are that it was flooded what would it be? I spoke to my neighbor (used to be a mechanic, since changed careers) he didn't seem concerned about the rust, he called it normal in such a humid and salty environment. Thank you very much in advance for your help on this one. Would you be willing to look at the other photos that the inspection service took? Thanks,
Pack
Your probably aware that I ran a shop in WPB, right on the ocean (Singer Island) and I see a lot of rust on vehicles that are left at the beach for 6 months at a time and they don't have any rust inside of the vehicle, just underneath and in the engine compartment. As far as insurance is concerned, they will not even attempt to repair flood damage. Anything that has water reach the seat level is automatically totaled. This may have been either an uninsured vehicle or something bought back from the insurance company. Either way, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Mar 19, 2010, 4:11 AM)
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