swimming a petrol

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 20:32
ThreadID: 3941 Views:4572 Replies:7 FollowUps:4
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There is a bit on this in the archives but for a fuel injected petrol engine, besides your air intake what is the next factor that limits the depth of water you can travel through? What electrics will fry first and whats the best way of making them more water resistant?? Wondering if a snorkel actually gives much increase in wading depth for a petrol engine?
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Reply By: Voxson - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 20:41

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 20:41
Well,, from what the guys in here have told me,,, and believe me ,, i have been asking some questions lately..
If going through a deep hood height water crossing which is easily above the standard air intake,,, the "correct" use of a water blind will cause an "air bubble" affect in the engine compartment and should not submerge all the engine and electrics as long as movement through the water doesnt cease...
That is how i understand it...
Please someone correct me if i am wrong...

Regards......._____________________________________________
Countin the days till July 5th. *Cape York Trip*
_____________________________________________
AnswerID: 15620

Follow Up By: bruce.h - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:30

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:30
hi guys
the most important things when crossing deep water
1) make sure you can get out the other side & walk both sides of the wheel tracks placing markers if needed to show problem spots
2) do not cross if you are on own & have recovery gear conected before entering
3)alow your car to cool down before entering
4) for deep water a blind is recommended
5)do not enter the crossing at high speed as this will force water into the engine bay
6) keep a steady pace so as to maintain bow in front of the vehicle this lowers the level of the water arounding the rest of the car & engine bay
7) when exiting feather the brakes to dry them out
8)if you stall DO NOT UNDER ANY CONDITIONS try to restart your motor recover the vehicle & check for signs of water entry if in doubt remove spark plugs or glow plugs & then turn the motor over to push put any water in the pots.(water can be sucked back up the hot exhaust)
9)repair any damage you do to the crossing so as to not leave any hidden traps for the next user
10) also recommend that you have the windows down the wieght of the water can stop you opening the door & electric windows can be shorted out if water gets inwith the windows down you at least have an emergence exit if needed
11) dont forget to pack your gear away when finished
12) at the earlest posible chance you get check engine ,diff gearbox transfer case oils for water contamination also check break flueds for the same
13)if you do get stuck for a length of time when you stop disconect the battery once saw a range rover that had been stuck in a water crossing start its self up & drive back into the creek
hope this helps
regards Bruce
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FollowupID: 9505

Reply By: Member - Chris - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 20:55

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 20:55
Hi Cookie, I gave an answer to this about 10 questions back re snorkels on petrol 4x4s.
I've installed one on mine and been through a couple of hairy crossings when I didn't really want to and had no problem.
Admittedly I've siliconed the dizzy cap and drain hole under it and also a couple of the engine sensors above the manifold (which water would have to be over the hood anyway.)
I found with fairly deep crossings no problems whereas before I did some waterproofing going through deep puddles at high speed caused more problems then controlled pace through rivers. The water at such high pressure would shoot up the small drain hole on the dizzy cap hence engine failure. The dizzy is the only problem I've ever had with water. If you look at the standard air intake you'll notice just how low it is (behind the headlight on mine) so I would guess that even before the dizzy went under water you would already have water in your cylinders unless you had a snorkel.
This is from my experience anyway.
Regards
Chris
AnswerID: 15622

Reply By: Member - Willem- Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:07

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:07
Voxson, No correction needed. You are spot on with your assumption. Providing ofcourse that the water that you are fording is not too long in distance. Keeping up the momentum through the water with a correctly fitted blind will keep most things dry in the engine bay.
Not sure about injected engines, Cookie, but if you squirt some WD40 or alike on the electrical bits then this should replel water over a short distance.
I have had water half way up the windscreen driving an unsnorkled diesel with a good blind through a creek. Drove a Suzuki through a flowing river with a snorkle and blind and water up to chest height inside the cabin and six blokes hanging on the sides for traction. Ahhhhhh but I was a young fella then:-) Good thing about petrol engines is that should they swallow water then all is not lost. But don't do it with a diesel.

In 1989 I destroyed a brand new Toyota Hilux diesel ( with only 750km on the clock) at Hidden Valley in Darwin when Toyota were launching the Hilux model for that year. Needless to say I was as popular as rats under the house. But I had warned them about the dodgy air intake. They did rectify the problem in later models.Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment
AnswerID: 15626

Reply By: Truckster - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 22:10

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 22:10
Holes in the floor and door seals.....

Either of them and ya in poo...
AnswerID: 15635

Follow Up By: Member - Chris - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 23:18

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 23:18
Yes, good point Truckster, a very pain in the ass first lesson when I went through my first boghole...boy what a mess - the ol' floor bungs had rotted out and um...the missus's books were *****ed.I'll have a beer for ya.
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FollowupID: 9512

Follow Up By: Truckster - Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 00:25

Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 00:25
Computers, radios, CD stackers, maps, books lots o things!!!

Seen others do it too!
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FollowupID: 9515

Follow Up By: GaryInOz - Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 00:47

Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 00:47
another reason NOT to have your comms gear mounted low or on the floor! Just when you really need it....
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FollowupID: 9516

Reply By: jaycee - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 22:12

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 22:12
Biggest problem would be stalling the truck. Fuel injection = "computer" if it's a reasonably late model truck. We (4x4 club) recently fished a petrol terrano out of a hole which was in over wheel arch deep water. It had been sitting there for twelve hours until we turned up, yes the dip sh#@s were in a one vehicle convoy. We hauled it out. removed the front drivers seat to get at the computer, dried it out overnight by the fire and after doing the other bits as previously mentioned, managed to get it running. It ran rough but they did manage to get it home. Only problem was the truck belonged to his wife who told him not to get it wet! Would'nt like to be him when he got that home.
AnswerID: 15636

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 14:26

Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 14:26
Cookie,

We had a snorkel fitted to our Pajero when we were living in Darwin. Fact of life was that for much of the year as soon as you left the Stuart Highway you're on dirt and heaps of water crossings. After a couple of deep crossings it was straight to ARB for the snorkel. Air intake was down by the headlights and Paj's are quite low in the front anyway, so a crossing didn't have to be that deep for possible water ingress. Actually, we later discovered evidence of water having travelled all the way up the intake to the air flow sensor mounted on the top of the engine.

On the other hand, my folks had a 60 series LC and when Dad asked our opinion about fitting a snorkel, we advised him not to. Reasons being he is a pensioner (limited funds), only went bush occasionally and the main one was that the air intake was quite high in the engine bay and being a big car, he would have to be going through VERY deep water for there to be any significant risk of water ingress. With a correctly fitted blind, his risk was very small.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
AnswerID: 15682

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 14:26

Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 14:26
Cookie,

We had a snorkel fitted to our Pajero when we were living in Darwin. Fact of life was that for much of the year as soon as you left the Stuart Highway you're on dirt and heaps of water crossings. After a couple of deep crossings it was straight to ARB for the snorkel. Air intake was down by the headlights and Paj's are quite low in the front anyway, so a crossing didn't have to be that deep for possible water ingress. Actually, we later discovered evidence of water having travelled all the way up the intake to the air flow sensor mounted on the top of the engine.

On the other hand, my folks had a 60 series LC and when Dad asked our opinion about fitting a snorkel, we advised him not to. Reasons being he is a pensioner (limited funds), only went bush occasionally and the main one was that the air intake was quite high in the engine bay and being a big high car, he would have to be going through VERY deep water for there to be any significant risk of water ingress. With a correctly fitted blind, his risk was very small.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
AnswerID: 15683

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