Want to play in the mud? Think again.

Hi all, thought I might share this with you. We have all read numerous posts about the damage playing in the mud can do but here's a problem you could have just playing in muddy water. A friend of mine has started competing in competitions like Woodpecker and Nissan trials ect. It's an Aqua blue FJ55. You can't miss it. Anyway after the Nissan trials the engine (a 5ltr Holden V8) starts getting rattly in the bottom end. Next thing it's taken the bottom out of a lifter and a lobe off the cam. Replacment parts are purchased and repairs begin but after removing the sump plug the drain hole is blocked. Hmmm, may be cam and lifter debris. Anyway cam ect. replaced and new oil poured in but engine still very rattly. Hmmm, not good. Talked to one of the old hands of competion and sure enough the engine is completely stuffed. Why, because when that hot engine hits the cold water and you have vacum in the sump at high revs the muddy water gets sucked in past the rear main seal and posibly the timming cover seal as well. This bloke had ruined a couple of Chev V8's the same way. The mud that gets in is really fine like talcum powder but works like valve grinding paste. It does'nt take long to stuff an engine. These seals are designed to keep oil in, not water out. Creek crossings ect are not really a problem because the engine is normally not constantly submurged and at high revs so you don't have the high vacum in the sump. Anyway just another reason to take care when playing in the mud. Cheers.