how much flooding is going to effect my car?

Random

i have an old corsa. how do i know how deep the flooding has to be before it effects the car? i know different cars handle things differently and i know the best option is to avoid it ..

thanks

MadsL

If it is above the doorsills stay out of it.

A-Trak

I misjudged a dip in a road near my home and ended going through about 4 foot, about halfway up my door in one place.

Car didn't stall and seems fine.
Anything I should look out for?Alfa 156 petrol.

Random

Random wrote: »

i have an old corsa. how do i know how deep the flooding has to be before it effects the car? i know different cars handle things differently and i know the best option is to avoid it ..

thanks

Half way up the wheels is plenty high enough really.

A-Trak wrote: »

I misjudged a dip in a road near my home and ended going through about 4 foot, about halfway up my door in one place.

Car didn't stall and seems fine.
Anything I should look out for?Alfa 156 petrol.

Surely water crept in through the door seals etc. 4 foot :eek: 4 foot would be over the bonnet edge, well over it.
If it was that high your alternator got a good soaking anyway, won't do it any good.

Joey the lips

This is actually interesting. Whats the rule of thumb. If having gone through water and the car does not cut out for the next mile of 2 is it safe.

Like can anything set in overnight?

Daft as that sounds just interested.

Mr Benevolent

I passed a 156 abandoned in 2 feet of water in Baldoyle. No way it could get through 4 feet. OP, my old Corsa got through the same flood no problem but watch for crap brakes after it. The clutch was slipping badly in the flood too.

This is actually interesting. Whats the rule of thumb. If having gone through water and the car does not cut out for the next mile of 2 is it safe

Rule of thumb: Know where your air intake is and keep the water level 6"-12" below that.

Joey the lips

Joey the lips wrote: »

This is actually interesting. Whats the rule of thumb. If having gone through water and the car does not cut out for the next mile of 2 is it safe.

Like can anything set in overnight?

Electrical gremlins, alternator diode pack could take offence, starter motor solenoid won't enjoy a soaking either.

Rule of thumb, if the water is deeper than the midpoint of your wheel don't chance it.

Also, know where you air intake is drawing from.

-Corkie-

I know of a guy that went through with a new F10 diesel and has destroyed it...:(:(

Water was up to bumper level and he drove on..:rolleyes:

mondeo

A-Trak wrote: »

I misjudged a dip in a road near my home and ended going through about 4 foot, about halfway up my door in one place.

Car didn't stall and seems fine.
Anything I should look out for?Alfa 156 petrol.

That was a big dip! You got away with that one just about I'd say. My old 156 ran lumpy going through a big dip a few years back but I got away with it.

Joey the lips

RoverJames wrote: »

Electrical gremlins, alternator diode pack could take offence, starter motor solenoid won't enjoy a soaking either.

Rule of thumb, if the water is deeper than the midpoint of your wheel don't chance it.

Also, know where you air intake is drawing from.

Toyota corolla 2010 air intake....Have not got a clue. Anyone enlighten me please. Thank you

Nissan doctor

I was coming home this evening at hit a massive flood on the N2 between slane and collon. I was doing about 70kmh(100kmh zone) and as it was raining so heavily the road and flooded section didn't look any different.:eek:

I hit it so hard that it was like hitting something solid on the road, lights dimmed but the engine stayed running(thankfully).

Both my front wheel arch liners and one of my front fog lights are in the back at the moment...bit of repair work to do tomorrow!:mad:

Joey the lips

Joey the lips wrote: »

Toyota corolla 2010 air intake....Have not got a clue. Anyone enlighten me please. Thank you

You're a smart chap
Trace the inlet to the air filter box

I dunno where it runs to, if I did I'd be more than happy to tell you :cool:

Joey the lips

RoverJames wrote: »

You're a smart chap
Trace the inlet to the air filter box

I dunno where it runs to, if I did I'd be more than happy to tell you :cool:

I know where the altenator is. This seems high up enough. Cant tell where the air inlet is though. Will check it tomorrow. Thanks again. Just curious though. I suppose i will be fooked at this stage if i did anything.

Dartz

You probably didn't.

Maybe you might've ****ed the cat by shock-cooling it.

You only need to be worried if the engine stalls out in the water, or actively ingests some. If you crank the engine with water in the cylinders, the water just won't compress and it'll bollock up the con-rods, the cylinder head and your wallet.

A-Trak

RoverJames wrote: »

Surely water crept in through the door seals etc. 4 foot :eek: 4 foot would be over the bonnet edge, well over it.
If it was that high your alternator got a good soaking anyway, won't do it any good.

Door seals remained dry, headlights working fine as is radio.
Some very strange rumblings in the engine bay when I turn the key and not a dickybird when I try to start it, it actually cuts off all electrics when I fully turm the key
Car actually drove fine for an hour after driving through the water; am I looking at a wet alternator or a fried engine *shudder*

Nissan doctor

A-Trak wrote: »

Door seals remained dry, headlights working fine as is radio.
Some very strange rumblings in the engine bay when I turn the key and not a dickybird when I try to start it, it actually cuts off all electrics when I fully turm the key
Car actually drove fine for an hour after driving through the water; am I looking at a wet alternator or a fried engine *shudder*

Sounds like the alternator may have packed up.

Stheno

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Sounds like the alternator may have packed up.

Air intake on the alfa 156 is very low down, I was warned about driving my alfa through floods for this reason.

Don't know enough about how cars work to relate it to the engine not starting.

Vudgie

I noticed my Car hissing a bit from the bonnet on the drivers side when the car was stationary. I drove through a few floods slowly. The car doesn't feel different but the noise is disconcerting.

Any ideas

af_thefragile

I drove my little Puma through about 2 feet of water today near the grand canal (just before Gards closed that bit of the road). I waited to have a clear run through the puddle so I wouldn't have to end up easing off the throttle or worse stopping in the middle of the puddle. Then I drove in, fingers crossed hoping to not end up like the other cars parked on the side of the road, and keep my foot steady on the throttle in 1st gear. At one point I was properly worried as the puddle kept getting deeper and the bow-wave of water went all the way upto the bonnet. But my Puma braved through it and came out perfect!

At some points I thought that was it for my car today. It would be the last day of its life but it keeps going on!!

Stheno

Stheno wrote: »

Air intake on the alfa 156 is very low down, I was warned about driving my alfa through floods for this reason.

Don't know enough about how cars work to relate it to the engine not starting.

Petrols aren't as susceptible to hyrdrolocking as diesels, they'll cut out before the cylinder fills with water.

El Guapo!

What's the general consensus here for going through small floods?
Crawl through or keep 'er lit?

Personally I try avoid it at all costs but I usually keep up a but of speed going through it, providing I know it doesn't get deeper halfway through of course.

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

............. At one point I was properly worried as the puddle kept getting deeper and the bow-wave of water went all the way upto the bonnet. ............

:eek:

No way would I chance driving in water that deep.

A-Trak

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Sounds like the alternator may have packed up.

Cheers ND.
What am I looking at ballpark here?

Dean09

Dean09 wrote: »

What's the general consensus here for going through small floods?
Crawl through or keep 'er lit?............

I'd have the revs above 2000rpm in first but I wouldn't go through anything over half wheel height (a foot ish).

A-Trak

A-Trak wrote: »

Cheers ND.
What am I looking at ballpark here?

Sub €100 if it's just the diode pack and you find a decent auto spark. Most garages will subcontract to an autospark charging you for removal and re installation, cut out the middle man

af_thefragile

RoverJames wrote: »

:eek:

No way would I chance driving in water that deep.

I thought it was just a little puddle but it kept getting deeper and I was like holy:eek::eek::eek:!!! Just kept my foot planted hoping the engine wouldn't flood and constant exhaust coming out the back would prevent any water going into the exhaust.

But then trying to find alternate routes to my place, I drove around for atleast an hour after that and the Puma drove fine. No funny sounds or anything.

But yeah, after that puddle I was like, not gonna chance it again and I kept out of puddles. At one point took it onto the kerb as I was like screw that, I'm not driving through the puddle again and risking destroying my already old and tired car!

stovelid

Did same this evening. Misjudged the dip. Stupid I know. Car conked out and wouldn't start again. Lights, central locking and so on are working. Will take it to mechanic tomorrow. Is there any hope for it?

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

...............

But then trying to find alternate routes to my place..........

Trying to find alternative routes :pac:
I tried that when living in Galway about two years ago, about 4 of them, each and every one eventually was flooded, had to go back and take the main diversion after about an hour of exploring

MugMugs

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I was coming home this evening at hit a massive flood on the N2 between slane and collon. I was doing about 70kmh(100kmh zone) and as it was raining so heavily the road and flooded section didn't look any different.:eek:

I hit it so hard that it was like hitting something solid on the road, lights dimmed but the engine stayed running(thankfully).

Both my front wheel arch liners and one of my front fog lights are in the back at the moment...bit of repair work to do tomorrow!:mad:

Hit that about 5. On the off chance he reads this, Kudos to the 01DL truck driver who read the road and fed it back to me the whole way up the N2 Made for some handy navigation through crappy conditions.

af_thefragile

RoverJames wrote: »

Trying to find alternative routes :pac:
I tried that when living in Galway about two years ago, about 4 of them, each and every one eventually was flooded, had to go back and take the main diversion after about an hour of exploring

I spent a long time exploring, was like better explore new routes than sitting in a line of pretty much stationary cars for hours. First tried to get through long mile road but there was knee deep water at one point and I decided not to risk it (so did no one else!) and turned around. Found a route by Crumlin hospital, eventually found a route through ballyfermot road, through palmerstown, fonthill and finally onto the N4 to make it home.

Nissan doctor

MugMugs wrote: »

Hit that about 5. On the off chance he reads this, Kudos to the 01DL truck driver who read the road and fed it back to me the whole way up the N2 Made for some handy navigation through crappy conditions.

It was just after 7 when I hit it, No other cars on that section of road at the time so no other splashes/slowing cars etc to referance:(

Just been out in the garage and there may be some more pieces of my bumper still floating around in it! Might check in the morning:rolleyes:

A-Trak

I spent hours and €€€s researching and sourcing spare rims and winter tyres and the bloody rain got me instead.

My snow tyres may remain virgins this winter

Can't get a tow truck for love nor money and my local indy is run off his feet.
Should I bother trying my insurance? I have roadside assist and fully comp.
(Does fully comp cover flood damage?)

swervring

Drove my car through floods last night, no higher than 1.5 ft, was going fine last nite but this morning engine warning light is flashing & car is chugging like im in too high a gear... its a 2004 Rover Streetwise... any advice as to what might have happened? In work now so cant go to mechanic just yet.

MrThrifty

Look, I'm no expert but just to be clear, if water enters the engine air intake then the engine WILL get damaged... BUT, it may not necessarily totally die there and then. It's a bit scary but you can do serious long-term damage to an engine by driving through floodwaters, even if the car appears to stay running at the time. As folk have said, always avoid driving through floods unless you have one of this jeeps with the air intake duct that comes up above the level of the roof which you see in other parts of the world.

R.O.R

-Corkie- wrote: »

I know of a guy that went through with a new F10 diesel and has destroyed it...:(:(

Water was up to bumper level and he drove on..:rolleyes:

Was that last night, or a couple of weeks ago?

Lost a 2011 F10 a couple of weeks ago (€15,500 + VAT for new engine), and just had another call for a 2011 F10 M-Sport which is on it's way to Keane's and I suspect it will be the same story.



If you don't know where the air intake is on your car, and you come across a puddle, don't chance it. Even if other cars are getting through it doesn't mean yours will.

BMW diesels have very low air intakes and seem to be the ones getting caught most frequently.

Pete69

A-Trak wrote: »

I misjudged a dip in a road near my home and ended going through about 4 foot, about halfway up my door in one place.

Car didn't stall and seems fine.
Anything I should look out for?Alfa 156 petrol.

If the flood was 4 foot (1200mm) high, you were almost submerged in your Alfa 156 (1,415 mm (55.7 in) high.

Water and Italian electrics = not good things to come.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156

swervring

swervring wrote: »

Drove my car through floods last night, no higher than 1.5 ft, was going fine last nite but this morning engine warning light is flashing & car is chugging like im in too high a gear... its a 2004 Rover Streetwise... any advice as to what might have happened? In work now so cant go to mechanic just yet.

1.5 foot deep wouldn't have been over the wheels, with luck you might have only splashed the ignition system.

Does it start and idle ok?

langdang

Hmmm, dumb question alert - if your air intake has a "resonator", can air/water also enter through this? or is it sealed off?

eg part 15 here is very low down

(Owen, you may recognise this air intake )

swervring

RoverJames wrote: »

1.5 foot deep wouldn't have been over the wheels, with luck you might have only splashed the ignition system.

Does it start and idle ok?

It starts ok bit sluggish, think its ok idle to be honest i had been driving for a little while before the light started flashing and then it went off, came back on again after a few minutes again. Going to go out & start it now & see if it comes back on...

whosedaddy?

Pete69 wrote: »

If the flood was 4 foot (1200mm) high, you were almost submerged in your Alfa 156 (1,415 mm (55.7 in) high.

Water and Italian electrics = not good things to come.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156

Tell me about it... lost my 156 JTD last night.. not yet sure whether electrics or engine although it was a lot less than 4 foot. (maybe 2 foot ).... :mad:

swervring

RoverJames wrote: »

1.5 foot deep wouldn't have been over the wheels, with luck you might have only splashed the ignition system.

Does it start and idle ok?

I'm a bit worried it could have been mre than 1.5 feet.... but it starts, and light isnt coming on straight away when I started it.... just nervous cause i have to pick someone up from the airport this eve!!

I'd say a coil pack has taken offence to the uisce so you are dropping a cylinder every so often.

Mr Benevolent

whosedaddy? wrote: »

Tell me about it... lost my 156 JTD last night.. not yet sure whether electrics or engine although it was a lot less than 4 foot. (maybe 2 foot ).... :mad:

Was it a silver 156 in Baldoyle near the credit union by any chance?

whosedaddy?

Confab wrote: »

Was it a silver 156 in Baldoyle near the credit union by any chance?

Nope. a red one - Ballymun Rd / Griffith Ave.

swervring

RoverJames wrote: »

I'd say a coil pack has taken offence to the uisce so you are dropping a cylinder every so often.

Is that a major fix/expensive? Sorry i only know the basics don't have a clue, would you think id be safe to drive to the airport later??

whosedaddy?

whosedaddy? wrote: »

Tell me about it... lost my 156 JTD last night.. not yet sure whether electrics or engine although it was a lot less than 4 foot. (maybe 2 foot ).... :mad:

Diesels don't like water......

sean1141

RoverJames wrote: »

Diesels don't like water......

i often drive my diesel in two foot of water...

my tractor that is:D

no1beemerfan

Pete69 wrote: »

Water and Italian electrics = not good things to come.

You can sing that one. My father had a 147 in 2002/2003 and decided to powerhose the engine. Wasn't a good idea :pac:

masseyno9

I drive a 156 too. Cut out in a flood last night, pushed it out, opened the bonnet, got at the airbox and sorted it. Started right up again, but was lumpy and engine light flashing. revved it for a while, until it felt normal, turned it off and back on again and everything's grand today. Once I get my hands on a new filter I'll be grand. Must plug it into Alfadiag tonight and see what the code was.

EDIT: Electrics all grand, wasn't going fast so not much splashing going on.

blastman

Beware of revving the car too hard when going through floods. If you hydro-lock the engine (i.e. suck water in through the air intake and into the cylinders) at high revs you will probably end up bending the rods and basically ruining the engine. I hydro-locked my engine a couple of years ago during bad flooding but luckily it was at low revs and I got away with it (although I did have to get out in the middle of the pool of water and push it out).

blastman

blastman wrote: »

................ I hydro-locked my engine a couple of years ago during bad flooding but luckily it was at low revs and I got away with it (although I did have to get out in the middle of the pool of water and push it out).

You hydrolocked it or it cut out? You can't "get away" with hydrolocking an engine.