How deep can a hatchback go?

[JIM600]

We have a 205 diesel here, we need to drive down a bumpy track to a barn to collect some mountain bikes. Over the winter a stream has developed across the track - it's currently at its lowest (due to the good weather). Approx 1ft deep - (although its stones/cobbles underneath). Do we need to sort a way of bridging it or will the little 205 drive straight through.

Whats important not to get wet? (don't mind damp carpets - but do mind knackered engine). Exhaust pipe looks high enough, alternator looks high enough, sump would be under - what is the cut of point before we damage something?

Thankyou

PS. I know it's lazy driving to collect something which is in itself a mode of transport.

Edited by JIM600 on Monday 25th April 19:18

[Cyder]

Air intake location, give it load of revs and don't stop moving.

[Leoandgic1]

I believe (though could be wrong) that the air intake for the engine is VERY low at the front of those cars and they have a nasty habit of sucking in the water and fubaring the engine completely.

[davepoth]

An old diesel should run quite happily completely submerged in water provided that the air intake is clear of it.

[Fleckers]

build a dam ??

[C8PPO]

Leoandgic1 said:

I believe (though could be wrong) that the air intake for the engine is VERY low at the front of those cars and they have a nasty habit of sucking in the water and fubaring the engine completely.

This sounds familiar, esp on French cars for some reason - check it first!

[Mr MXT]

Make a snorkel round the intake!

[sjabrown]

I think a diesel 205 intake is about grille level. Once through the water keep the engine running and let the electrics dry out a bit.

[JIM600]

Fleckers said:

build a dam ??

Looking for a longterm thing really - we have access to a tractor which can cross the stream and go and collect them but it would be good to go and get/store them weekly so much easier in the car.

Just been informed it is actually a 106 diesel - (the car belongs to a mate who is popping round tomorrow), 90% sure the intake sits just above/inline with the radiator. But will check this first.

Thanks

[Alex@POD]

With a diesel, all you need to worry about is that the air intake is above the water:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr8eEWyKQHM&fea...



Of course waterproofed electrics might help too, but you get the gist of it.

[eltax91]

You have all the excuse you need to buy an off roader.

[slipstream 1985]

build a homemade bridge. sounds like a fun wee challenge.

[NiceCupOfTea]

A friend killed his mum's Peugeot diesel going through a ford back in the day. Either a 205 or an early 306 - and it had a very low intake. Beware!

[attym3]

I have a 205 td. The intake is at the top of the grill just under the lip of the bonnet. As long as you don't go that deep you should be ok. Not sure how the eletrics will stand up to multiple soakings, I'd suggest soaking under the bonnet with wd40 or similar as much as possible.
HTH

Mark

[JIM600]

attym3 said:

I have a 205 td. The intake is at the top of the grill just under the lip of the bonnet. As long as you don't go that deep you should be ok. Not sure how the eletrics will stand up to multiple soakings, I'd suggest soaking under the bonnet with wd40 or similar as much as possible.
HTH

Mark

Yep, pretty sure the intake does indeed sit just above the grill/rad. The alternator and starter are both lower than that though. I guess with enough wd40 they would be ok.

Bridge would be no good, it gets very deep in the winter 4ft+ (whole field/track floods) so it would end up washed away. A 4x4 would make things to easy

[geeteeaye]

A homemade air intake snorkel is the order of the day, 1ft of water would probably be ok but may as well make something if this is going to be a regular thing and water levels will be higher other times. Or it may be easier to make a clamp on extra pipe for the exhaust and reverse through?

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Come on people this is PH

[eltax91]

JIM600 said:

Yep, pretty sure the intake does indeed sit just above the grill/rad. The alternator and starter are both lower than that though. I guess with enough wd40 they would be ok.

Bridge would be no good, it gets very deep in the winter 4ft+ (whole field/track floods) so it would end up washed away. A 4x4 would make things to easy

Can I come and drive it in my landy in the winter.

[JIM600]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Come on people this is PH

Just need some orange paint and an air horn.

I guess we could just run a longer bit of tubing to the airbox from the roof instead of the standard one to the intake (which is just cliped on with a jubilee clip). But it's not the intake that's the worry really, thats a good 2ft up. Up above the injectors/alternator/belts/starter motor etc - more worried those bits would not like the water. Guess we'll just give it a bath in wd40 and see what happens.

[munroman]

Simplest thing to do would be to find out where the water went to before and why it now cuts across the track, then fix that (boring I know, and not very PH!).

If you are planning a regular crossing all I can tell you is that I lived on a road where it flooded (luckily just past my house), and though the farmer could cross the flooding in his tractor, it cost him a fortune in starter motors.

I also have friend who was successfully crossing a flooded stretch of road when working as a rep, until a 4x4 coming the other way went into the flooding a speed and the bow wave swamped his car and it hydro locked........

Basically, cars = Roads, boats = Water.