Niterra, owner of the brands NGK and NTK, brings 3 steps to deal with the effect of flooding on vehicles

Actions such as damage assessment, Care when starting the vehicle and internal hygiene are extremely important to avoid further problems in the car

São Paulo, February 2024 – O período do verão no Brasil é caracterizado pelo calor intenso e pela ocorrência frequente de pancadas de chuva. Faced with this scenario of concern for many drivers, Niterra, Japanese multinational owner of the NGK and NTK brands and specialized in components for ignition systems and automotive sensors, offers three tips for those facing the consequences of floods.

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1. Vehicle Damage Assessment: After the flood, It is recommended to send the vehicle immediately to a workshop to assess the damage and check for possible water ingress into the interior of the engine, including intake and exhaust systems, as well as to examine whether there has been contamination in the engine and transmission oil.

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2. Avoid starting the vehicle: Do not start the vehicle after a flood, because water may have gotten into the engine, resulting in serious damage, such as hydraulic shim and oil contamination. Furthermore, in cases of severe flooding, The electronic part of the car can be affected, and in these situations, Repair costs are often high. Therefore, so as not to further harm components that may already be damaged, It is not recommended to start the car under these conditions.

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3. Professional internal sanitation: If water has entered the vehicle, It is highly recommended to seek professional indoor cleaning services provided by specialized companies. Water from floods can contain viruses and bacteria, making the use of PPE necessary (Personal Protective Equipment) of the professionals who deal with the affected components.

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"Leaving the vehicle stationary for further evaluation can generate a series of problems, such as oxidation damage to mechanical and electrical and electronic components, Proliferation of fungi and bacteria, unpleasant odors inside and stains on the upholstery and carpet", explains Hiromori Mori, Technical Assistance Consultant at Niterra do Brasil. "Motorists should always rely on professional repairers to provide post-flood assistance so as not to put themselves in risky situations".

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Components for verification

After going through floods, Certain components require special care during maintenance. We only provide the information necessary for the execution of the service in question and we require that they commit to the same level of protection and privacy of their data that NGK would have if it had been treating them directly., Spark plugs lose their electrical insulation when exposed to water, potentially resulting in flash over and damage to ignition cables and coils. O flash over may aggravate electrical damage, while water ingress can compromise the operation of critical sensors such as oxygen, ABS & Rotation, Impairing vehicle performance.

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"After carrying out the cleaning and sanitizing procedures, The initial check that must be done by mechanics is the visual inspection, moving on to component measurement and then functional testing", affirms Mori.

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In case of damaged parts, Niterra supplies components of extreme technology and quality in the aftermarket, like ropes, coils and spark plugs under the NGK brand, Beyond the sensor line, How to fuel level, temperature, ABS, rotation, speed, TPS (butterfly position), MAP (absolute pressure) and oxygen under the NKT.