What could have caused this?

I guess not. I didn't know what to think of it but I also had my dad with me who is a mechanic and knows his shit better than anyone but he didn't know what to think of it either.

 

well if it works..then you good. just a good detail with a vacuum and you ready to roll.

 

PPI? Private party inspection? How does this work?

 

100% flooded...check under the footwell carpet too...not always a horrible thing, but not one I'd like to deal with...

 

When buying any vehicle used, always have a PPI inspection done. In my case, I had the owner of the car drop off the car at a dealer of his choosing and private BMW specialist of my choosing. We spend money on cars and it makes no difference if your spending $5k or $100k. I'm not a mechanic by trade, so I cant look at a car and determine if its perfect. I hire an outside specialist to tell me that. Its the best money you can spend.
If the seller of the car tells you No and doesn't allow it. Effing run away from that thing.

 

Who cares? You’ve had it two years with no issues so you might as well smile and roll with it. Get your air compressor and blow all that crap out, vacuum it up, and give it the go pedal.

 

Definitely some nasty shit. I'm sure you noticed this somewhat when you bought the truck? If it ain't been flooded, then it was left out in field with the windows down for a few months.

I got under mine and looked it over at the dealer. Behind the fender wells probably a pound of sand. But that's what the terrain is like out here. If you haven't had electrical problems then you are blessed. I would not clean around any electrical connections with water but use keyboard cleaner type spray. Go ahead and get a few cans of it and get after it. Good luck

 

Looks like most of the trucks on the farm I use to work at years ago. Sitting around with windows down for days. Never detailed in any way. Boss would always say “it’s a farm truck it’s supposed to be dirty”. I’d still clean on them every chance I got. Headliner stains could be leak around third brake light? Just my thoughts.

 

I [knowingly] bought a flooded vehicle after Harvey. Got a great deal. It didn't have any of the dirt/dust you have and the metal was rusted extremely bad, much worse than how yours looks. Who knows what happened to your truck but I personally don't think flood. I also starting having tons of minor/strange electrical problems after a year or so. Have you had any electrical problems?

 

I’ve seen plenty of work trucks look like that. Looks like it was in a very dusty environment and the windows were left down, even in the rain.

I picture some dude getting in with his coveralls on after being under the house all day, then smoking a cigarette while driving down a dirt road in the rain with the windows down LOL

 

Add another one to the list that says it's a flood victim.

 

Yeah... I grew up in the salt belt on a dirt road and we had a ranch and our trucks never looked like that behind the dash.

Pretty sure that’s a flood truck if there ever was one.

 

I picture some dude getting in with his coveralls on after being under the house all day, then smoking a cigarette while driving down a dirt road in the rain with the windows down LOL[/QUOTE]

Yup, their is cig burns above the driver's side on the ceiling

 

The only thing was that the cruise control didn't work but I fixed that easily

 

Actually the one problem I'm having right now is shaking in the steering wheel, happens at 60-70. Got so bad a few days ago that the shifter started shaking and there was some noise from right side. I got wheels balanced. Now I will rotate tires. Then alignment. I think it's the tires. They are AT tires with little tread left.

 

Also checked the ball joints they were good

 

Since its already been wet inside and is fine, just do this to clean it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KuBXOPuRaw

 

Good idea. Will try and update.

 

That 4th picture sure looks like it has a place where water has dripped on to a surface covered in mud from flood runoff. Then again, unless it was completely submerged I'd think you'd see a water line where it was cleaner above the line if it was flooded.

Could have been used on a strip-mine too. I know from experience that will get every surface in the thing covered in dirt inside and out.

Speaking of which. Make sure the inside of your rims isn't covered in mud. That'll cause wheel shake.

 

It sounds like you were being sarcastic as I was, but for the record, this was a joke.

 

Damn it, now you tell me!!!

 

Someone took the effort to rub a butt out on the ceiling ?
Now thats commitment to asshatery...

 

I feel what you’re saying! But it also that depends on the type of dirt. I’ve been in some really sooty stuff. Like, if you look at it wrong, cloud of dirt!

 

Every truck Ive had, new and used has developed that rust on the behind dash metal, and none have been flooded. The humidity here is extreme and the air so heavy you can wring it out. I also get a lot of dust behind the dash as well because I work in a dusty area and it gets everywhere. The headliner stain could be a 3rd brake light leak especially if its the only area with staining.

Im not saying it wasn't flooded, but I would think that if it was flooded someone would have had to take the time to replace damaged electrical components and would have all that taken apart and would have at least attempted to clean it, either that or you would see fingerprints. I'm sure some of the electrical connections would be corroded by now also.

Regardless, it hasn't given you much trouble and until now you knew no different. Clean it and drive like before and worry when there is something to worry about.

 

I’m voting for no flood just lots of windows down in dirty conditions.

First off the rust on the under dash parts would be more severe if submerged for any length of time. That surface rust is typical of any high humidity region. Unpainted steel isn’t going to stay rust free even inside your house.

I also would think you would have more trouble than you’ve had if it had actually gotten water in every electrical harness and the dash.

My $.02 and worth what you paid...