BMW's in floods, WARNING!!!
Discussion
If people knew what was likely to happen to their engines they wouldn't try to make a passenger car go through water like they do. It isn't an issue just affecting BMW's but many other cars. Most diesels in particular have low intakes and have had for years. Yes it is unlucky if some idiot comes the other way while you're in water, but it is as much to do with any attempt to get through in the first place, and how it is done.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Erm, yes... sort of. Snorkels were originally designed for desert conditions, but can also be used in water as long as they are sealed correctly. All it does is stop water/dust etc getting into the engine.
The exhaust generally is kept free by positive pressure (ie air coming out) and even coming off the throttle isnt going to let water ingress far enough to destroy the engine. If the engine stops you could have an issue, but normally water getting in the air intake is a much bigger worry than water in the exhaust.
If you watch people do it well they maintain a steady speed and throttle.
There are many things to consider in deep water.
1. Air intake. Needs to be high mounted or in an area where water will flow in such a way as to prevent ingress. Defenders have side mounted intakes for that reason.
2. Exhaust. Revving high in neutral and lifting off the throttle can draw water back up the exhaust. Also stalling can allow water back into the cylinder in very deep conditions
3. Electronics don't like water. To survive deep water they need to be well protected.
4. Breathers for gearboxes and differentials can draw water into the transmission as when the transmission hits water it will cool and create a partial vacuum in the transmission potentially pulling water in.
5. Obstructions below the surface can be impossible to see and cause massive damage - especially manhole covers that may have lifted.
6. Current can carry any vehicle away if it's strong enough.
Even in a 4x4 you need to be very wary in deep water.
1. Air intake. Needs to be high mounted or in an area where water will flow in such a way as to prevent ingress. Defenders have side mounted intakes for that reason.
2. Exhaust. Revving high in neutral and lifting off the throttle can draw water back up the exhaust. Also stalling can allow water back into the cylinder in very deep conditions
3. Electronics don't like water. To survive deep water they need to be well protected.
4. Breathers for gearboxes and differentials can draw water into the transmission as when the transmission hits water it will cool and create a partial vacuum in the transmission potentially pulling water in.
5. Obstructions below the surface can be impossible to see and cause massive damage - especially manhole covers that may have lifted.
6. Current can carry any vehicle away if it's strong enough.
Even in a 4x4 you need to be very wary in deep water.
Condi said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Erm, yes... sort of. Snorkels were originally designed for desert conditions, but can also be used in water as long as they are sealed correctly. All it does is stop water/dust etc getting into the engine.
The exhaust generally is kept free by positive pressure (ie air coming out) and even coming off the throttle isnt going to let water ingress far enough to destroy the engine. If the engine stops you could have an issue, but normally water getting in the air intake is a much bigger worry than water in the exhaust.
If you watch people do it well they maintain a steady speed and throttle.
Rule of thumb for present day Land Rover products is top of the tyres for a standard car in still water, no modifications from factory spec required. If the water is flowing then the currents may be strong enough to cause issues depending on direction of flow etc. Deeper can be traversed by experienced drivers but momentum and a bow wave must be maintained.
REAL rule of thumb for BmW drivers is if they MUST drive in water deeper than their IQ, then one of these is a must- http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/15790/gib...
Any deeper, and then you MUST look for advice to our friendly so called ex submariner, Pitmansboots/ or whatever he calls himself these days.
Any deeper, and then you MUST look for advice to our friendly so called ex submariner, Pitmansboots/ or whatever he calls himself these days.
Numerous floods here in Jakarta during the rainy season due to garbage in the drainage systems.
One of the best modifications I saw on a small MPV (Toyota Avanza) was a tarpaulin on the bonnet that would be rolled down prior to entering the flood. The water pressure whilst advancing would effectively seal the front of the engine bay and problems should only appear if stopped in the water.
In addition, a length of bicycle innertube cable tied to the exhaust and then hung from the rear wiper.
Great ingenuity.
One of the best modifications I saw on a small MPV (Toyota Avanza) was a tarpaulin on the bonnet that would be rolled down prior to entering the flood. The water pressure whilst advancing would effectively seal the front of the engine bay and problems should only appear if stopped in the water.
In addition, a length of bicycle innertube cable tied to the exhaust and then hung from the rear wiper.
Great ingenuity.
Hooli said:
What he said. Plus on all the LRs newer than S3 I've seen the standard airbox has a rubber valve at the bottom to let water out that has to be sealed before wading.
The rubber valve is designed to self seal with external water pressure. Problems come when they get a bit old....stevie99s said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
Here's One today from up my way. (Walkworth-Alnwick)
Ahh yes warkworth, travelled from Brigham to Alnwick via Embleton tonight and some Northumberland roads were nigh on impassable and I did have to find alternative routes a few times, was very touch and go tbh in a Fabia vrs, glad to be home!Amazed the engine did not seize as the water was easily higher than the bottom of the doors.
On the way back to Alnwick the A1 was like a river, the single carriageway bit near Morpeth being especially bad.
lostkiwi said:
There are many things to consider in deep water.
1. Air intake. Needs to be high mounted or in an area where water will flow in such a way as to prevent ingress. Defenders have side mounted intakes for that reason.
2. Exhaust. Revving high in neutral and lifting off the throttle can draw water back up the exhaust. Also stalling can allow water back into the cylinder in very deep conditions
3. Electronics don't like water. To survive deep water they need to be well protected.
4. Breathers for gearboxes and differentials can draw water into the transmission as when the transmission hits water it will cool and create a partial vacuum in the transmission potentially pulling water in.
5. Obstructions below the surface can be impossible to see and cause massive damage - especially manhole covers that may have lifted.
6. Current can carry any vehicle away if it's strong enough.
Even in a 4x4 you need to be very wary in deep water.
What's this one1. Air intake. Needs to be high mounted or in an area where water will flow in such a way as to prevent ingress. Defenders have side mounted intakes for that reason.
2. Exhaust. Revving high in neutral and lifting off the throttle can draw water back up the exhaust. Also stalling can allow water back into the cylinder in very deep conditions
3. Electronics don't like water. To survive deep water they need to be well protected.
4. Breathers for gearboxes and differentials can draw water into the transmission as when the transmission hits water it will cool and create a partial vacuum in the transmission potentially pulling water in.
5. Obstructions below the surface can be impossible to see and cause massive damage - especially manhole covers that may have lifted.
6. Current can carry any vehicle away if it's strong enough.
Even in a 4x4 you need to be very wary in deep water.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35184706
I was tentatively driving my BMW through a very large puddle yesterday, I'd say about 4-5 inches deep. When two "ONE LIFE LIVE IT" green laner, inbred, still live at home Virgins came around the corner in Defenders and instead of slowing down, sped up and completely engulfed the car in water.
Fortunately when I fitted my CAI I had the foresight to leave a gap between the pipe and the airbox as I suspect it saved my engine.
Hopefully on their next outing they have a nasty rollover/winching accident.
s.
Fortunately when I fitted my CAI I had the foresight to leave a gap between the pipe and the airbox as I suspect it saved my engine.
Hopefully on their next outing they have a nasty rollover/winching accident.
s.saaby93 said:
What's this one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35184706
I was thinking of this thread when I saw him clambering out! Land Rover my butt! I think there was a similar image of a Unimog last year too!http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35184706
Gafferjim said:
I also didn't say that it effected every BMW.
Misleading thread title then. Many BMWs are not affected by this, and many many more cars that are not BMWs are affected, so your thread will be ignored by non-BMW owners who's cars may be affected, and will alarm BMW owners who are not affected.Good intentions badly executed can do more harm than good.
Any vehicle can fail in flood water if circumstances are met. My FIL was in the army testing unit and they were testing the Austin champ waterproofing systems that were available. This allowed them to be parked submerged and would start so long as the air intake was above water. But everything was sealed and bunged and the exhaust had a flap seal so water could not run back.
Cars have none on these so are vunerable. Properly prepared 4x4 stand a better than average chance of survival.
I have driven through very deep water in my youth, because I did not want to go around. When I did this the trick is to reverse through at a set speed with plenty of revs and the engine is protected by the hollow the movement creates. If it stalls or slows down too much you are stuck.
The main issue for us on roads is the lack of drain clearing. In most cases when the roads are flooded like in Cumbria you do not get a chance to try, but the main ones are puddles in dips. The lack of drain clearing means the drains cannot cope. In the picture shown the vehicle there is a drain cleaner which suggests that the problem there was not the volume of water.
Cars have none on these so are vunerable. Properly prepared 4x4 stand a better than average chance of survival.
I have driven through very deep water in my youth, because I did not want to go around. When I did this the trick is to reverse through at a set speed with plenty of revs and the engine is protected by the hollow the movement creates. If it stalls or slows down too much you are stuck.
The main issue for us on roads is the lack of drain clearing. In most cases when the roads are flooded like in Cumbria you do not get a chance to try, but the main ones are puddles in dips. The lack of drain clearing means the drains cannot cope. In the picture shown the vehicle there is a drain cleaner which suggests that the problem there was not the volume of water.
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