Matthew gave my 75 Duster a good soaking for a couple of days. The water line was halfway up the windows at one point. After the water cleared, I drained the oil (mostly water), took the plugs out, and turned the water out of the cylinders. With the plugs and oil back in, it fired up pretty easily. Well, using my 5 quart oil jug as a makeshift gas tank.

There won't be any wrecker service here for a least a week, so I had to drive it home about 10 miles. Once the steam cleared up it actually ran about as smoothly as before.

So my question is, what do I need to check out and clean up? I know I'll need to drain the gas tank and transmission fluid. I'm guessing just drop the pan on the transmission? Any advice would be appreciated.

May you change also the oil in the rear axle, check the rear axle bearings.
Front axle: Lubricate and check the wheel bearings (change grease)

Water is one problem - the sand and dirt in the water is the other problem

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62 Valiant
62 Lancer

I would plan on disassembling the interior and deep cleaning all the upholstery as well.

I cant add much to the knowledge here but had to comment....

For the car to be halfway under water for 2 days and to more or less fire right back up is a tribute to these "antiques".

My guess is that with all the electronic crap on newer vehicles, most cars would be DOA until everything is dried out....

Go MOPAR!!!!

Thanks all!

I dropped the tank and cleaned it. I'll work on draining the trans today so I can drive to work tomorrow. I'll go through the bearings and rear end this weekend when I have more time. rear seat is out drying in the sun.

Anyone know how to flush power steering fluid?

Here's a video of the car, still soggy - https://youtu.be/kKjCiCL9Gl8

Fresh or salt water?


With salt, I'd definitely take things apart (doors) to rinse with fresh.........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I think I'd try to do some major rinsing all over, whether salt or fresh water. Ag chemicals in the water can be rather corrosive, too.

Roger

+1. Hood and trunk support channels and definitely the fresh air intake system on the firewall.

Glad you got it running.
Sounds like you have a lot of the mechanicals working.
You need to pull the carpet, it will never dry in the car.
Door panels off also to clean out the doors.
Trunk mat, etc.
Good luck.

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Hyper_pak

Flush power steering system by removing low pressure return line at reservoir and directing it into an empty gallon jug.

Remove reservoir fill cover, stand by with a minimum of one gallon of fresh power steering fluid while a helper starts and idles engine (as soon as engine starts pump will quickly empty reservoir so be ready to add new fluid). Once fluid level drops in reservoir add new until out flow into gallon jug looks clean. While adding fluid, have helper turn steering wheel stop to stop it ensure good flushing of steering gear. It is normal during this process to see foamy fluid discharge, just get to clean and call it good.

Fluid may look foamy, this air will self bleed once low pressure return is reconnected, and steering wheel turned stop to stop a few times after engine has been not running for a few minutes. A next engine start repeat slow stop to stop turning of wheel to expel foam now coagulated into larger air bubbles. Don't over fill reservoir, check fluid level after a day or so or a few miles of driving.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC