series 2a.....so what went wrong for me today?
Discussion
Was looking forward to going to work in the snow today. I did find some very icy roads but there wasn't really enough snow anywhere to have fun around Sevenoaks, however I did find a huge puddle that needed dividing! I reckon it was a good 40ft long and probably around 9 inches deep, so pedal to the metal as I approached and through we went only to grind to a halt just as we came out the other side. Now I've seen official Land Rover adverts where the guy drives through a river without any problem, I've also seen a YouTube video of someone driving down a very deep flooded road forcing a huge wave in front down the road. So what went wrong?
Basically the engine was turning over but it didn't start. I unclipped the distributor cap and gave it a wipe, but no joy. After a lot of trying the engine eventually fired up but was definitely missing for a while, then it cleared and all was well. Any suggestions as to how to avoid this again? (apart from driving carefully!)
Basically the engine was turning over but it didn't start. I unclipped the distributor cap and gave it a wipe, but no joy. After a lot of trying the engine eventually fired up but was definitely missing for a while, then it cleared and all was well. Any suggestions as to how to avoid this again? (apart from driving carefully!)
Leaky seals letting water in somewhere or maybe water in the breather pipes? Also could be the electrics giving out, but quite unlikely. The defenders that drive practically underwater generally have had quite a bit of work done to ensure they are waterproof. I've had my Rangey (L322) in about 2ft of water before without issues, but I had to give the engine bay a gentle clean as it was full of pondweed and scum,
TheAllSeeingPie said:
Leaky seals letting water in somewhere or maybe water in the breather pipes? Also could be the electrics giving out, but quite unlikely. The defenders that drive practically underwater generally have had quite a bit of work done to ensure they are waterproof. I've had my Rangey (L322) in about 2ft of water before without issues, but I had to give the engine bay a gentle clean as it was full of pondweed and scum,
That's what I like to hear..someone with a posh 4x4 using it properly! Excellent.Anything with a petrol engine will suffer from water getting into the ignition electrics, be it inside the distributor or just the leads. The high voltage in the HT circuit is very lazy and loves to use water to find a quicker route to earth 
My mate's V8 Range Rover used to hate any amount of water when we were off roading whereas the diesel vehicles would carry on plodding through.
My mate's V8 Range Rover used to hate any amount of water when we were off roading whereas the diesel vehicles would carry on plodding through.bernhund said:
pedal to the metal as I approached and through we went only to grind to a halt just as we came out the other side.
Don't drive into standing water at speed, you'll just throw water all over the engine - you'd get away with it with a diesel, but not with a petrolThere are occasions when you might have to do it but its best avoided.
You might find these Land Rover films of interest:
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2I17OtZp6E
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwlALeoBOKU&fea...
paintman said:
bernhund said:
pedal to the metal as I approached and through we went only to grind to a halt just as we came out the other side.
Don't drive into standing water at speed, you'll just throw water all over the engine - you'd get away with it with a diesel, but not with a petrolThere are occasions when you might have to do it but its best avoided.
You might find these Land Rover films of interest:
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2I17OtZp6E
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwlALeoBOKU&fea...
Other problem with water is that unless you check the depth first you won't know if there are any dips, holes, missing drain covers, boulders/obstructions until you get stuck.
Crossing flowing water requires even greater care. People generally don't realise just how powerful it can be - as is unfortunately often shown to be the case after floods.
Don't let it put you off, learn how to do it properly, treat it with respect & you can have a lot of fun.
Crossing flowing water requires even greater care. People generally don't realise just how powerful it can be - as is unfortunately often shown to be the case after floods.
Don't let it put you off, learn how to do it properly, treat it with respect & you can have a lot of fun.
In this case it was a bridge I know well and I knew water pooled under there. Since the C1 went over it I guess I didn't notice the water level was a few bricks higher than normal. If it was a stream or other flowing water I would have been a lot more careful. Still I learned my lesson and I don't think I've done any damage (at least I couldn't see any and the car was driving find after).
bernhund said:
Any suggestions as to how to avoid this again?
Try carrying a bit more speed, and maybe build a bit of a ramp just in front of said "puddle"...Like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-t7GlWf3zw
Before I take my S3 off-roading, I always coat the spark plugs, dizzy, coil, battery terminals, ends of the HT leads liberally in vaseline. I've been through water deep enough to come in through the bottom of the doors and everything has been fine.
Quite a few people take a rubber glove and cut the ends off the fingers to poke the HT leads though on secure the hand bit onto the distributor with a rubber band. I've not tried it, as it sounds a little new-fangled to me!!!
Quite a few people take a rubber glove and cut the ends off the fingers to poke the HT leads though on secure the hand bit onto the distributor with a rubber band. I've not tried it, as it sounds a little new-fangled to me!!!
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