Auto mechanic shops swamped with flood-damaged vehicles

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It's been a busy week for mechanic shops, which are seeing many customers come in with flood-damaged cars needing repairs.

At Cris Auto Service in McAllen, a line of cars is still waiting to be worked on.

The flooding that swept the Rio Grande Valley happened nearly two weeks ago. Many cars suffered flood damage after being stalled on the side of the road and abandoned.

“We are full on any given day, but with this recent rain, we’ve gotten a lot of flooded victims as far as their vehicles. It’s very tiring," said Jose Rodriguez, the shop foreman at Cris Auto Service.

Many of the vehicles coming into the shop are in need of full engine replacements… It is a job Rodriguez said is not only one of the most difficult but also one of the most expensive.

He explains that when water gets inside the engine, it can cause the connecting rods to break or the engine to seize entirely. At Cris Auto Service, the average cost is topping $6,000.

"It is costly, and a lot of people who do have insurance, they only pay deductible, but if they don't, it's going to hurt their pocketbook. I feel sorry for those people, but mother nature is unpredictable," said Rodriguez.

Other repairs, such as getting all the water out of the car to prevent rust and future electrical problems, can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

The jobs have been tiring for Rodriguez and his team, but the flood-damaged cars just keep coming.

With hurricane season around the corner, his message to drivers is clear: Don't take the risk of driving through flooded waters. It could cost you more than just money.

"Be careful, don't ride through those flooded streets, because it will get expensive. The cars are replaceable, but a life is not," Rodriguez added.