E39 530iA Touring flood damage restoration

[vantaam5]

As some of you know,I bought myself a new project(my wife´s new car,actually).


It is a 2001 530iA Touring,orient blue,sand beige leather sports seat,piano black trim with almost all options.


I knew that car for quite some time,came every now and then for repairs to me.

A few weeks ago,there was heavy rain in the area and the garage where it was parked went full of rain water.The result the car being flooded up to the window line.

Car went to the local BMW dealer,their first repair estimate to get most working again was 35k€...

Insurance did not pay(force majeure),so the owner sold the car to me.

Short after arrival the strip down and cleaning started:







Drained 5l water out of the engine before the first sign of engine oil..



The interior was really rough:






I took all the interior out,disassembled seats(what a PITA,at least I know now how to upholster seats),cleaned and dried everything:





After the first cleaning:

[vantaam5]

Biggest problem is,that almost all electronics were toast...also the navigation screen and the MK4 as well as radio and video module are dead..


Something for the trash bin:



Door cards cleaned:



Pic with the MBMP:




2 hours ago,I got all the electronics working again and coded to the car.Only infotainment section is missing.

Tomorrow,I will see if she runs and the Steptronic shifts.

If everything works out as planned,I start next week assembling it again.First dashboard and new carpet,then the doors and the trunk.

I will see if I can re-use the seats.
If not,I buy cloth sport seats,re-paint the leather covers of the original interior and swap the covers...


Also found out central locking is not working yet and one starter for the Xenon lights needs replacing...


Updates follow..

[Leezamonkey]

I'd love to have just half the time, skills, space and obvious knowledge and passion you have Raikku, I think I would entrust any project to you if I lived near you. Would love to actually see a project like the MBMP in person.

[vantaam5]

My limiting factor is also time

I work every day 2 hours before my regular work and 2-3 hours after on the Touring..


You are welcome any time over here,Lee!

BTW,you would not be the first one who brings his car from the UK to me

[Leezamonkey]

You'll def be on my route if ever get round to doing my euro road trip don't worry about that!

[vantaam5]

Engine is seized,need to shop for a replacement....

[bmwMcrzy]

keep us posted on the progress

[chowdah]

For irreparable damage to occur, does the engine need to be cranked or running in the presence of water, or is it sufficient for it simply to be submerged while off?

[Feld1128]

Based on my knowledge of boat engines there is generally a window of opportunity to drain a flooded engine and do several oil changes to get all the water out. If too much time passes then the corrosion starts and it will be not be salvaged, if its salt water then you are out of luck due to the corrosion occurring much quicker.

[vantaam5]

Everything was drained,but seems like there was still a bit water in the brake booster.Sucked it in the intake and hydrolocked a cylinder.
Will check damage on monday.
Most likely will but another engine given these M54 are so cheap....