Deep Water

[nobleguy]

Not having much luck currently.

I drove through a deep puddle yesterday and immediately received a battery warning and the power steering went completely.

It got me home, but this morning the batery light is stil on and the power steering is still absent - is it a case of lettnig something dry out or is there something more significant I need to look at?

[nineiron]

And the moral of the story is........Noble,s don,t swim!!!!

[AMG Merc]

nobleguy said:

Not having much luck currently.

I drove through a deep puddle yesterday and immediately received a battery warning and the power steering went completely.

It got me home, but this morning the batery light is stil on and the power steering is still absent - is it a case of lettnig something dry out or is there something more significant I need to look at?

Certainly a good dry-out whatever you do next - as sounds like the short is still there. Is she garaged - if so, get a heater on it for a while or overnight.

[Ash M400]

nobleguy said:

Not having much luck currently.

I drove through a deep puddle yesterday and immediately received a battery warning and the power steering went completely.

It got me home, but this morning the batery light is stil on and the power steering is still absent - is it a case of lettnig something dry out or is there something more significant I need to look at?

I think the water came in through the bulkhead, and has probably drowned the electrics. Take the cover off, footwell passenger side, and look for water damage.

[LJM]

If you've lost PAS and your battery light is on I would think it is just your fan belt is slipping or has slipped off, open the clam with the engine running and have a look at the belt (under the PAS resivoir) check if it is spinning at the same rate as the crank pulley etc!! if it's slipping you may need a new belt plus tensioner!!!

I have a problem with mine when parked in the rain or after a wash as the vent is directly above the belt!!!

HTH

The only reason I say this is the PAS is just a mechanical pump and AFAIK has no elctrical control.

Edited by LJM on Saturday 18th November 15:25

[nobleguy]

LJM said:

If you've lost PAS and your battery light is on I would think it is just your fan belt is slipping or has slipped off, open the clam with the engine running and have a look at the belt (under the PAS resivoir) check if it is spinning at the same rate as the crank pulley etc!! if it's slipping you may need a new belt plus tensioner!!!

I have a problem with mine when parked in the rain or after a wash as the vent is directly above the belt!!!

HTH

The only reason I say this is the PAS is just a mechanical pump and AFAIK has no elctrical control.

Edited by LJM on Saturday 18th November 15:25

You got it. I opened the clam outside for the first time since the incident and immediately saw the belt had come off. Must have been a hell of a wave because it was bl**dy hard work putting it back on. All sorted - think I'll leave her to dry for a few days....

[Ash M400]

nobleguy said:

LJM said:

If you've lost PAS and your battery light is on I would think it is just your fan belt is slipping or has slipped off, open the clam with the engine running and have a look at the belt (under the PAS resivoir) check if it is spinning at the same rate as the crank pulley etc!! if it's slipping you may need a new belt plus tensioner!!!

I have a problem with mine when parked in the rain or after a wash as the vent is directly above the belt!!!

HTH

The only reason I say this is the PAS is just a mechanical pump and AFAIK has no elctrical control.

Edited by LJM on Saturday 18th November 15:25

You got it. I opened the clam outside for the first time since the incident and immediately saw the belt had come off. Must have been a hell of a wave because it was bl**dy hard work putting it back on. All sorted - think I'll leave her to dry for a few days....

I would at leas attempt to warm her through. Will help to dry out.

[TSNsMrMe]

Can I just ask a question here....

Is the comment about having problems with the car after washing it a true one? Seriously?

If they're that susceptible to water getting into the bay, then the thread I've started about possible faults will come to an abrupt end. No way am I prepared to put up with a car that suffers mechanical anomalies after washing it!!!!!!!!

[LJM]

TSNsMrMe said:

Can I just ask a question here....

Is the comment about having problems with the car after washing it a true one? Seriously?

If they're that susceptible to water getting into the bay, then the thread I've started about possible faults will come to an abrupt end. No way am I prepared to put up with a car that suffers mechanical anomalies after washing it!!!!!!!!

It's true but I would not say it is a fault or problem, Simply the soapy water drips on the belt and sometimes makes it slip until it dry's out. I would not let that put you off buying one.

And yes the engine bay is susceptible to water ingress after all it does have 6 vents for cooling directly above it!!

Don't be put off they are superb cars and once you own one you'll never look back!!

[adrian w]

TSNsMrMe said:

Can I just ask a question here....

Is the comment about having problems with the car after washing it a true one? Seriously?

If they're that susceptible to water getting into the bay, then the thread I've started about possible faults will come to an abrupt end. No way am I prepared to put up with a car that suffers mechanical anomalies after washing it!!!!!!!!

Pressure wash mine Regularly including the engine bay, never had a problem.

[Ash M400]

TSNsMrMe said:

Can I just ask a question here....

Is the comment about having problems with the car after washing it a true one? Seriously?

If they're that susceptible to water getting into the bay, then the thread I've started about possible faults will come to an abrupt end. No way am I prepared to put up with a car that suffers mechanical anomalies after washing it!!!!!!!!

I put a thred on awhile ago re water ingress via the front nearside bulkhead, where the speedo cable comes in. If you get one, seal it yourself. After that, no prob. You may also want to seal the air con pipe thingy, in the same place.

Also make sure you get an upgrade to the fuel pump wire.

All the above is well documented on these pages.

The car is fantastic, remember, it is not built by Ford, it is hand built.

You could always buy a F360, and pay 10k for a major service

[TSNsMrMe]

Ok, points noted. The thought of buying a new car and having to seal certain sections yourself...well it takes a bit of getting used to. However, I'm a genuine driving fan, so I take the points onboard.

As for the F360. Nah. I want a performance car.

[joust]

Like Adrian I've jet washed the front, back and inside both clams regularly on both my M12 and M400 and never had an issue.

Looking for, and sealing, any issues around where the speedo wire comes in is a 5 minute job though if you are paranoid.

Oh, and Rob washes his every time he drives it, and it's never stopped his

J

[joolski]

I had all the electrics moved into the cabin behind the drivers seat. Since then, never had a problem.

Be careful jet washing the car. If you have chips in the paint a power washer can get under the paint and rip it off.

The owners manual does warm against using power washers on the car, but if it's a low presure one you should be OK.

--Jools

[nobleguy]

I must admit I've never had issues after washing it. Just 2 ft puddles....
Drive it again yesterday and everything seems fine.

Thanks for all your input, as usual it's been really useful.