When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi guys! Recently picked up a broken DB9 Volante that appears to have spent some time with another member here, since it left his hands, it was the victim of a flood, and needs to have some bent rods taken care of. I can’t wait to fix it, and experience the DB9 for myself. This car appears to have belonged to oldphart here on the forums.
Your a much braver man than I, especially when you mentioned flood damage.
Check out Johnny Hotspur GT on the Bentley section of this website. The man is an absolute genius and a true legend. His Bentley also had flood damage, and while it was a monumental task, Johnny took it on as you will see from his excellent posts. Reach out to him as he is always willing to share his knowledge.
Good luck on bringing a great car back to life. I rebuilt the V12 in my 2006 DB9 and there is a thread on this board. Pretty straight forward and with the exception of undoing the witing harness from the passenger footwell no real surprises. If you ever come through Northern Virginia I am happy to show my set up.
Welcome to the forum. What a challenge. We'll be cheering for you. Please send updated pictures when you get her on the road without the tow hook !
Hmm. I powdered coated my towhook the same color as the brakes and the cross bracing. I keep it in place in lieu of my front license plate and to keep people from backing into my car!
Good luck on bringing a great car back to life. I rebuilt the V12 in my 2006 DB9 and there is a thread on this board. Pretty straight forward and with the exception of undoing the witing harness from the passenger footwell no real surprises. If you ever come through Northern Virginia I am happy to show my set up.
your thread was what made me decide to take on the project. Thank you!
your thread was what made me decide to take on the project. Thank you!
Looking forward to the videos and the pictures! Don't hesitate to reach out for free advice, which of course is worth at least as much as you pay for it!
How high did the water get? Can you see the water line in the car? If it got over the driveline you are in big trouble. Rebuilding the engine would be the easiest part in that case. Everything even vaguely made of metal will need to be rebuilt. And these cars are known to have electrical glitches even when well maintained. Aston parts are not like other exotic cars. There are no specialized Aston breakers. Its much easier to get Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren parts than it is to get Aston parts. And with the salvage title it will never have good resale value. Check out the posts mentioned @MAUMAU. Its quite famous. Thats what kept me away from touching flood cars.
There is a 2007 DB9 convertible 6spd for $55k in the SFBayArea CL right now. Blue exterior, tan interior. If I had the space I would have bought it.
How high did the water get? Can you see the water line in the car? If it got over the driveline you are in big trouble. Rebuilding the engine would be the easiest part in that case. Everything even vaguely made of metal will need to be rebuilt. And these cars are known to have electrical glitches even when well maintained. Aston parts are not like other exotic cars. There are no specialized Aston breakers. Its much easier to get Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren parts than it is to get Aston parts. And with the salvage title it will never have good resale value. Check out the posts mentioned @MAUMAU. Its quite famous. Thats what kept me away from touching flood cars.
There is a 2007 DB9 convertible 6spd for $55k in the SFBayArea CL right now. Blue exterior, tan interior. If I had the space I would have bought it.
there is no evidence of water in the cabin, the car had open element filters on it in the front with the air boxes removed, and it would appear that’s how water got in the engine.
Sadly, not uncommon. The AM dealer in Tysons (aka AM of Washington) says the get a dead engine car dragged in 3 times a year or so. About half are from owners trying to go through water, either deliberately or by accident. Should make for an interesting tear down. I do regret not creating a youtube channel, putting on coveralls, effecting an accent, and then filming everything. Likely could have made some coin. Maybe not enough to matter, but it's more than zero...
I think the advantage of getting the motor out of the car would make it worth removing it. You would want the front timing covers off so you could remove the chains which means the harmonic balance has to come off. There is not much room and a lot of stuff to pull. I will say that the second time I removed it i took 8 hours or so to do it. Went fast!
I had traded it in for an R8. Yes I had removed the airboxes and appreciated the increased sound they gave. Not much chance of driving through water here in central California. We seen to always be going from one drought to the next. I had traded it in as the roof was in need of repair and it could have used a respray and I just didn't want to put the money into it. I do miss those polished intakes though. Enjoy it in good health.
Finally got the car to my lift. Took the passenger seat out to see if I could find evidence of water. There is some mold on the carpet, the front piece toward the rear, but the rear piece that goes up the battery box has no evidence. All the foam padding looks great.. if it had water in the cabin, it wasn’t much, and not for long. Hope to have the engine out this weekend. Passenger floor board Engine bay Getting ready to lift it up and tear it down
