Hit 2+ feet of water at 70kph

[Rob_G]

This is from a few weeks ago:

I was going to a friends place to watch a movie and it was raining so HARD that I had to reduce speed to 70kph because I just couldn't see that well on the road. The speed limit is 100kph and a Lancer right behind me (within 5 feet) pulls out and goes flying down the road at probably 110kph. About 5kms later I approached an underpass and didn't see it was flooded until it was too late! There had to be at least 2 feet of water and I hit it doing 70kph which scared the crap out of me! I made it though ok though and what did I see on the other side but the same Lancer pulled over on the side of the road, probably stalled or worse yet, hyrdrolocked. There was another 2 cars there as well pulled over so he wasn't the only one who didn't make it through ok. Shortly after that the police had the flooded underpass closed. I was a bit worried about some water intake so I checked my oil which looked good and there wasn't a spot of moisture in the air cleaner.

I guess I'm just glad there wasn't a stalled car in the water or it would have been A LOT worse. Overall I think I was pretty lucky there.

Rob

 

[philsey]

Indeed! Also lucky you were driving a vehicle equipped to withstand such an adventure. Underpass no less ... yikes!

Lessee, um, 70 kph ./. .62, uh, carry the one, etc..... dang Canadiens anyway.

 

[jcbeck84]

Might want to check the rear differential and transfer case for water as well. 2 feet of water is quite a bit to come crashing into. Depending on how long you had been running at that point (and how deep the water actually was) your breathers may have taken up some water. But even if you have to change some gear oil it is definitely better than hitting a stalled car in 2+ feet of water.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

I have sort of a similar story...only it was on purpose...

It wasn't raining very hard at the time and I was able to see the water way before I encountered it, but same situation - flooded underpass with 1.5 ft of standing water.

The shoulder and slow lane was completely backed up with people trying to navigate through the shallow part of the flooding in their NoVA BMWs, MBs, and Infinitis...and I just plowed on through it in the fast lane passing like 30 cars in the process.

Its reasons like this that I don't think I could ever own a car - I navigated slow and cautiously through the water, but it felt good having the assurance to know I could do it and still make it to work on time instead of having to sit in traffic and be nervous about getting stuck on the side of the road.

 

[USMC_4runner]

Might want to check the rear differential and transfer case for water as well. 2 feet of water is quite a bit to come crashing into. Depending on how long you had been running at that point (and how deep the water actually was) your breathers may have taken up some water. But even if you have to change some gear oil it is definitely better than hitting a stalled car in 2+ feet of water.

:iagree: +1, I hit 2+ feet of water offroading at a much slower speed and still had mud splashed up all under and over my hood (which got into the front diff and transfer case) and I had water/mudd in my rear diff also.

 

[mgrande]

Its best to cross water at slower speeds. But only do so when needed because there is a host of things it can ruin in your truck. 95% of the time nothing will happen and you'll be fine, but then there's always those times that everything goes very wrong.

 

[Rob_G]

Might want to check the rear differential and transfer case for water as well. 2 feet of water is quite a bit to come crashing into. Depending on how long you had been running at that point (and how deep the water actually was) your breathers may have taken up some water. But even if you have to change some gear oil it is definitely better than hitting a stalled car in 2+ feet of water.

Well this happened 2 - 3 weeks ago, but I suppose I should still have it checked out.

Rob

 

[jreiter]

:iagree: +1, I hit 2+ feet of water offroading at a much slower speed and still had mud splashed up all under and over my hood (which got into the front diff and transfer case) and I had water/mudd in my rear diff also.

I think a lot of that happens when water or mud splashes up and hits the radiator fan. Gets splattered all over the engine bay when that happens.

 

[Rob_G]

I called the dealership and spoke with one of the service guys. He said I shouldn't need to worry about the breathers because they work on a pressure system and unless I was sitting in deep water for a period of time then it should be ok. Considering how quickly I hit the water, I think a lot of it was displaced anyhow as I moved through it.

I know, should doesn't mean anything and I'll talk to another mechanic friend of mine and maybe he will check it out for me. My dealership is reluctant to do anything it seems.


Rob

 

[harper7]

I called the dealership and spoke with one of the service guys. He said I shouldn't need to worry about the breathers because they work on a pressure system and unless I was sitting in deep water for a period of time then it should be ok. Considering how quickly I hit the water, I think a lot of it was displaced anyhow.

Rob

That's how it happens!
Hot differential hits cold water and the pressure difference opens the breather check valve to equal the pressure and lets water in if it's deeper then the valve which is sitting on top of the rear differential.

Water in there won't cause immediate failure but will break down the oil over time and won't provide the needed lubrication. That is what can cause the big parts and labor bill that dealers so love.

 

[reese2]

Maybe should not post this as it involves my 2005 Nissan Frontier 4x4 rather than a 4Runner, but will contain some lessons learned. August 2009 was in the GW National Forest looking for a campsite. Was on a road where I could not turn around as I was pulling a 20 foot long popup camper. I kept going, hoping for a turnaround spot, but no luck. Went through several areas with water as we were next to a river. At one point, went through 2 feet or so of water which shorted out the brakes in the camper. I was dragging it, rather than pulling 4000 lbs. Caller my dealer and he told me to disconnect the battery from the emergency brake. I did so and made it out of there. An ATV caught up to me and the driver told me he could not believe I had gotten this far towing the camper. (30 years of off-road driving experience helped.) I asked him how deep the river was which I had to cross to exit the area and he responded "only about a foot or so" due to the drought. Compared to what I'd been through, that was minor. I learned a lesson in addition to how to disconnect the battery from the brakes. After that, I was very cautious about taking the camper down any road where I might have problems turning around. Also, damage to the camper cost me $185 for repairs. (Battery/brake issue was minor.) Beware, if towing a camper through water! Recently sold the camper due to other issues.
As for any damage to the truck, nothing so far that I could relate to this event. Still moving along at 80K.

 

[Rob_G]

That's how it happens!
Hot differential hits cold water and the pressure difference opens the breather check valve to equal the pressure and lets water in if it's deeper then the valve which is sitting on top of the rear differential.

Water in there won't cause immediate failure but will break down the oil over time and won't provide the needed lubrication. That is what can cause the big parts and labor bill that dealers so love.

I'm pretty sure my diff would not be hot because I was driving through a torrential rain storm and constantly splashing through small puddles and running water on the road. I talked to a friend of mine who is a journeyman heavy duty mechanic and he also said not to worry about it since I was only in the water for a few seconds.

Now for peace of mind, I'm going to ask another friend who owns a auto repair shop to grease my slip yokes and while it's on the hoist to check the fluids.

Rob

 

[gm350reratliff]

Install some good skid plates and next time you will skim right across the water!:banana:

Toyotas seem pretty durable when it comes to water. Years ago I pulled out a tacoma that had turned too early on a flooded road and ended up in a pond. The water was about 2inches over the hood. After I pulled her out the woman started cranking the engine over. I advised her not to do that until she had it checked out but she kept on cranking. It seemed like 200 gallons of water came out of the exaust then it fired right up! I couldn't believe it. Running smooth. She handed me a soggy 20 dollar bill and took off. About a month later I ran into her at the store. I asked about the tacoma and she said that all the fluids were changed but none had oil in them and even the radio started working once it dried out. She said she only had a funky smell and that she lost a floormat somehow. Simply amazing. I don't know how much longer the tacoma ran or if she still has it.

 

[Titanpat57]

Install some good skid plates and next time you will skim right across the water!:banana:

Toyotas seem pretty durable when it comes to water. Years ago I pulled out a tacoma that had turned too early on a flooded road and ended up in a pond. The water was about 2inches over the hood. After I pulled her out the woman started cranking the engine over. I advised her not to do that until she had it checked out but she kept on cranking. It seemed like 200 gallons of water came out of the exaust then it fired right up! I couldn't believe it. Running smooth. She handed me a soggy 20 dollar bill and took off. About a month later I ran into her at the store. I asked about the tacoma and she said that all the fluids were changed but none had oil in them and even the radio started working once it dried out. She said she only had a funky smell and that she lost a floormat somehow. Simply amazing. I don't know how much longer the tacoma ran or if she still has it.

:wow2::wow2::wow2:

now that's funny..

 

[Rob_G]

Finally had the 4RTE on the hoist and both the diff and transfer case fluids were fine.

Rob