THE DROWNED PRADO
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Ronald HairbottleParticipantWith regard to the drowning of John Tayler’s Prado in the Runde river in Zimbabwe (forum, July 2017), it seems that the main culprit was the wiring that had ingested some water, which short-circuited something, thus causing the vehicle to keep running.
The auto should do better than the manual during deep-water crossings, as its transmission is basically a completely sealed unit, apart from the small breather and the dipstick.
The manual has a rubber boot around the gear lever where it enters the gearbox; this is normally perished, torn or rotten away, and as it is hidden away between the transmission tunnel and the top of the gearbox, the deterioration goes unnoticed during normal servicing.
This is where all the water enters the gearbox, even during normal deep crossings. The fact that the vehicle was submerged for an extended period of time is what caused all the water ingress, as diff breathers that are not extended, as well as old oil seals, will eventually allow water into the components that they are supposed to protect.
There is really nothing one can do to prevent water ingress totally, but these tips should help to minimise the risk:
Before the water crossing: Ensure that all rubber boots covering openings in the gearbox, transfer case, CV joints and steering racks, are serviceable.
Ensure that all o-rings on engine and auto box dipsticks are new and tight-fitting.
Ensure that all breathers on axles, gearbox, transfer case and diff-lock actuators are extended as high as possible.
Repair any oil leaks; if oil can get out, muck can get in. If possible, keep extra engine, gearbox, transfer case, diff & power-steering fluids in the vehicle.
Spray all electric plugs in the engine bay, inside and out, with water-repellent spray, prior to crossing a deep body of water. Ensure that you are familiar with the location of the engine and transmission.
ECU, and ensure that maximum effort goes into protecting these − especially if they are in the engine bay, hidden behind kick panels, or in any low-slung, vulnerable position in the vehicle.
Ensure that you are familiar with the position of the engine air intake, as this will indicate your maximum wading depth, preventing any water being sucked into the engine.
Don’t assume that because a manufacturer claims a maximum wading depth of X, no water damage is guaranteed below that level!
There are many other components that are located far lower than the air intake, which can result in a broken-down vehicle.
Walk the crossing before driving it! (If there are crocodiles, send your mother-in-law!) Avoid getting stuck in the water for any extended period; get a buddy system going prior to crossing, so that you can be recovered forward or rearward immediately.
After the water crossing: Stop and check for any grass, debris or branches that might have become stuck underneath the vehicle or wound up around propshafts, etc.
Also unplug all the electrical plugs in the engine bay, including spark plug cables, and check for water ingress.
Remove any bags or covering used to seal off the ECU, ensuring that the unit will be able to dispel heat.
Check all fluids, including power steering, engine, gearbox, transfer case and diffs, for water ingress.
Check the engine air cleaner for water ingress.
If you do get stuck, and/or water is sucked into the engine, or the engine dies:
Do not attempt to start the vehicle before checking the air intake!
If there is water in the intake, recover the vehicle without trying to start it.
Remove the soaked air filter; allow it to dry and re-use it if you do not have a new one.
Remove spark plugs or injectors, and turn the engine over by hand (spanner), to ensure nothing is bent. This is very important.
Only then should you turn the engine with the starter to dispel any water in the cylinders. (remember to remove the spanner first!)
Spray some water-repellent spray into the spark plug or injector ports, and repeat the process. refit the spark plugs or injectors. replace the airfilter, pray hard, then try to start the vehicle. Perform the other checks as mentioned above.
If the engine does not turn over by hand:
Something has gone bad inside the engine – think bent valves, bent conrod, etc.
Do not be tempted to turn the engine with the starter. This can extend the damage.
Remember still to check for water ingress as above; this can save a lot of repair costs, apart from the engine damage!
Recover the vehicle and get it to an accredited engine repairer.
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