[rpoz-29]

The engine on my son's '04 Mazda3 was hydrolocked in a storm last Thursday. His insurance company had it towed to a Mazda dealer where they said it had water in the engine. A new engine from Mazda is $7800 installed. According to VA law, because his car is less than 7 years old, AND the damage exceeds 90% of the actual cash value prior to the damage, it will become a "nonrepairable vehicle". That means if he takes salvage on the car, he can't put it on the road. His insurance company is required to tell DMV and they will void the title, and remove the tags. I could understand it had the car rolled over, or hit a tree, but not for mechanical problems. Any insurance experts out there?

[marka]

Howdy,

I don't know if he or you is mechanically inclined, but you may be money ahead to let them total the car then buy it back. I've never done it, but I've had plenty of friends who've gone that route.

Then install a used engine yourself or pay the independent.

Downside is that the car will now have a salvage / rebuilt title. That's going to decrease its value significantly when it comes time for you to sell it, but otherwise doesn't matter.

How in the heck did the engine get hydrolocked in the first place?

Mark