Amazed by the driving of some people thru the floods

msg11

A bit of advise here and a rant.

I can't believe the way in which some people drive there cars thru the floods and/or puddles of water.

Slow down going thru them, you can do serious damage to your catalytic converter and the bottom end of your engine. Water hitting on these engine parts when the engine is at its running optimum temperature is going to super cool these parts on your car and ruin them.

These metal parts of your engine are gradually meant to cool down. Driving them thru massive puddles of flooding at speed is going to mess them up.

You might get away with the bottom end of your engine, but come NCT time you might find yourself failing your Co2 emissions test because your catalytic converter has failed.

dar83

People are throwing water now as well?!

(sorry couldn't resist)

I have to say though, I didn't see anyone doing anything crazy on my way home this evening. Apart from the person who wouldn't budge from the centre lane of the M50 but was adamant of only going 35-40mph and this was at 5pm, so in the rain but before any of the flooding really kicked in.

af_thefragile

dar83 wrote: »

People are throwing water now as well?!

(sorry couldn't resist)

I have to say though, I didn't see anyone doing anything crazy on my way home this evening. Apart from the person who wouldn't budge from the centre lane of the M50 but was adamant of only going 35-40mph and this was at 5pm, so in the rain but before any of the flooding really kicked in.

I don't get these drivers. Everytime I'm driving on the N4 (which is everyday), there's always some one who decides to do nothing more than 80kmph in the right (overtake/fast) lane completely ignoring the trail of cars behind who can't get past the slow car because he's in the overtake lane going exactly the same speed as slower cars in the left lane. Its like how did you pass your driving test?! How much does it take to move over onto the left lane to let faster cars by?!! Most annoying in the morning when you find them on the chapalizod bypass. Its like the only stretch of N4 that's never jammed in the mornings and you can easily go 80-100kmph on it but you can't because said slow drive is blocking your way and will not pull over to let you through!

MadsL

Had my windscreen completely submerged tonight twice by clowns bombing through it. Thank fk have a rear engined car.

barura

Drove through 2 1/2 foot of water in my little donkey of a polo, took her nice and handy. Alternator complained cause the belt got wet, but nothing too drastic. Got home safe and sound.

Some asshole in a Audi A4 milled through the water in town and soaked everyone on the path.

And on a sort of related note, some knackers stole a passat alloy up the road under the cover of ****e weather!

Best part of driving home, at the junction where the coast road splits into the Howth road in front of Killbarrack, there was people in a boat where the road flooded so deep! Amazing stuff!

Fishtits

msg11 wrote: »

A bit of advise here and a rant.

I can't believe the way in which some people drive there cars thru the floods and/or puddles of water.

Slow down going thru them, you can do serious damage to your catalytic converter and the bottom end of your engine. Water hitting on these engine parts when the engine is at its running optimum temperature is going to super cool these parts on your car and ruin them.

These metal parts of your engine are gradually meant to cool down. Driving them thru massive puddles of flooding at speed is going to mess them up.

You might get away with the bottom end of your engine, but come NCT time you might find yourself failing your Co2 emissions test because your catalytic converter has failed.

Let me guess, you're not an Engineer... certainly not one of the automotive type.

OP, fear not of sudden cooling of your underneath parts, they're well designed for such events.

Urban myths on the other hand...

(If you stop and think about it, speed, in this case, is irrelevant in temperature shock)

Sleep tight.

Voodoomelon

af_thefragile wrote: »

there's always some one who decides to do nothing more than 80kmph in the right (overtake/fast) lane completely ignoring the trail of cars behind who can't get past the slow car because he's in the overtake lane going exactly the same speed as slower cars in the left lane. Its like how did you pass your driving test?!

By not being tested on a motorway. :pac:

msg11

Fishtits wrote: »

Let me guess, you're not an Engineer... certainly not one of the automotive type.

OP, fear not of sudden cooling of your underneath parts, they're well designed for such events.

Urban myths on the other hand...

(If you stop and think about it, speed, in this case, is irrelevant in temperature shock)

Sleep tight.

I wouldn't believe it too be urban myth, I have heard from a few mechanics.

Also what about what you can't see under the water, stones, rocks man holes that have had there covers washed away ?

Here's a source also.

http://www.catalyticconverter.org/failure/index.htm

Thermal shock occurs when a fully heated converter suddenly is "cold-quenched," such as coming into contact with snow or ice. This leads to sudden contraction of the converter housing, which can cause cracks and disintegration of the ceramic substrate. Symptoms include a "rattling'' sound when the converter is tapped with a fist or mallet (monolith-type converters only).

Physical damage, caused by running over road debris, collisions and other impacts, is usually easy to diagnose. This type of damage can break up the ceramic substrate or cause restriction that changes the flow characteristics of the converter or impacts the efficiency of the catalyst.

And one more source.

http://www.cats-direct-shop.co.uk/technical-information.php

7. Take care when driving through deep puddles, fords, or parking when there has been heavy snow. The cat operates at an extremely high temperature, and when it comes into contact with water or snow it cools down rapidly. The steel shell cools more rapidly than the monolith, and in extreme circumstances the monolith can be crushed as the steel shell contracts.

But it's up too you if you want to go driving into these puddles splashing them up in the air, also I am not Engineer although I wouldn't mind been one. Just giving some advise out, up too you what you do with it.

As for the drivers that refuse to leave the overtaking lane on a motorway, It drives me nuts.

Delancey

When will 4x4 drivers grasp that their vehicles have their limitations and floods are as big a hazard to them as everyone else ?
Saw a Pajero drive into a flood of 4 feet approx earlier tonight - it did not make it through :rolleyes:

MadsL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTnZcUiupuc

But cars are boats....

Look at the stupid driving of tractors/trucks here. Nice if you are flooded to have another wave of water to content with.

I'd also be royally pissed if a tractor towed me out at that speed. (@2.52)

Antikythera

MadsL wrote: »

I'd also be royally pissed if a tractor towed me out at that speed. (@2.52)

Yeah, righteous indignation towards the people trying to help you.

lau1247

Is it just me or do people think that slowing down have a higher potential of allowing water entering through the exhaust which cause even more damage?

At times like these, it make those Viking Splash Tour boat looked prepared! :rolleyes:

Wolverine_1999

Enjoying the wet weather in the east are we

MrThrifty

Issue as far as I'm aware is not water entering exhaust but the engine air intake duct. This is usually located under the bonnet just above headlight level but it can vary.

Pete69

lau1247 wrote: »

Is it just me or do people think that slowing down have a higher potential of allowing water entering through the exhaust which cause even more damage?

As long as you keep the engine running, the exhaust pressure will stop water entering through the exhaust.

It's a bit of an extreme example but here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7gZ28Msa8g

MrThrifty

MrThrifty wrote: »

Issue as far as I'm aware is not water entering exhaust but the engine air intake duct. This is usually located under the bonnet just above headlight level but it can vary.

intake will be at most level with the headlights

no1beemerfan

MadsL wrote: »

Had my windscreen completely submerged tonight twice by clowns bombing through it. Thank fk have a rear engined car.

The wife left Tallaght at 8.15 last night and eventually got on the n7 and she said she got this a few times. Muppets going way too fast and showering all around them with water. What is it with some people...."look at me and my car....we have no problem going through floods at 60mph...I'm a big man"

One fella went through the flood too fast by the school in Ballymore Eustace...he was taking out his airbox when I walked by last night. Car still there this morning!

Bearcat

I went through the floods in a vx......highered up suspension....not a bother. Airbox intake at the top of the inner wing.Reference of how deep it was, cars itself abandoned......opp the lepordstown inn was one mighty pool. Likewise in stillorgan.

RIP to that young Garda who lost his life saving others from not loosing theirs. I hope the state acknowledges his bravery.

MadsL

Antikythera wrote: »

Yeah, righteous indignation towards the people trying to help you.

How would you feel if your engine was totalled after being given a 'hand'.

...fair play to the guy if he's helping out. Wouldn't surprise me however if there were a few chancers out offering tows for a few quid..

Neilw

MadsL wrote: »

...fair play to the guy if he's helping out. Wouldn't surprise me however if there were a few chancers out offering tows for a few quid..

Would you not throw someone a few euros for helping out, I know I would if I was stuck.

The Guvnor

I heard on the radio about 4x4's that some theorise the way to do it is with a bit of speed as this creates a wave in front of the car and you ride the lower water behind.

Caveat is don't slow down and keep a steady throttle!:)

MadsL

Neilw wrote: »

Would you not throw someone a few euros for helping out, I know I would if I was stuck.

Big difference between "D'ya want a hand" and "Tow for €50, boss"

MadsL

The Guvnor wrote: »

the way to do it is with a bit of speed as this creates a wave in front of the car QUOTE]

...and floods everyone else's engine or washes over their windscreen blinding them.

The Guvnor

Although Mads if the water was this deep you'd assume cars would be going through it one by one!

Honey-ec

My boss is happy out - after sales director in one of the bigger marques and parts sales are up 50k on last week!

My understanding is that its rev range as opposed to speed that'll keep water from entering your exhaust. Which can be an issue, to whoever thought it was only the intake you had to worry about.

davoxx

Honey-ec wrote: »

My boss is happy out - after sales director in one of the bigger marques and parts sales are up 50k on last week!

dodgy marque with parts that can not handle a little rain

Honey-ec wrote: »

My understanding is that its rev range as opposed to speed that'll keep water from entering your exhaust. Which can be an issue, to whoever thought it was only the intake you had to worry about.

the intake can destroy your engine, high revs will destroy it (hydrolocking)
the exhaust will just stall it, and anything over 1.6 should have enough power at idle to prevent water entering ....