4wd training woes

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

An associate was conducting a 4wd familiarization course for some of his work colleagues. They decided to cross a creek. They did the right thing and got out of their cars and waded across the creek to check the depth and choose the best route. The creekbed was pretty firm and flat so they didn't expect any problems but had the recovery gear ready just in case.

First car across was trusty V8 troopy - hardly a challenge. Next went the Patrol - again no real challenge.

Then came the Colorado. The driver was fully briefed. Keep the momentum but don't rush, keep the bow-wave to a minimum. Well, after starting off fine the driver got a little cocky and put the foot down. The water level was almost up to the top of the bumper but when he gunned it the bow wave rushed over the top of the bonnet. And then, with a chug, chug, it came to a stop.

With no snorkel, the water had gone up under the wheel arch and into the airbox intake.

$14,000 later for a new engine - they have all learnt a lesson. $500 for a snorkel doesn't sound too bad does it?

[Prado887 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado887]

Re: 4wd training woes

We have a casual work colleague with a 1 ton Rolldeo (aka new Colorado) and even bonnet deep water
does not seem to worry it too much maybe this is just luck so far....
Is the fording depth of the Colorado the same as most common 4wds??
Being a training exercise would insurance cover the 14grand Bushbasher? Its a bloody expensive lesson learned....
Ryan

[bgreeni Member Find all posts View Profile Close bgreeni]

Re: 4wd training woes

Several years ago a group of us went to Stockton beach. There was a bit of a puddle on the way in that we splashed through. I never even gave it a thought as it was so shallow. Bloke behind me was driving a new Jeep. Stopped in the middle of the puddle. Found water had gone through the motor. Could not believe that such a small puddle could cause that. New motor required with about 3000km on the clock.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: 4wd training woes

We have a casual work colleague with a 1 ton Rolldeo (aka new Colorado) and even bonnet deep water
does not seem to worry it too much maybe this is just luck so far....
Is the fording depth of the Colorado the same as most common 4wds??
Being a training exercise would insurance cover the 14grand Bushbasher? Its a bloody expensive lesson learned....
Ryan

Not sure of the fording depth but there is a diff breather high up under the floor of the tray. The problem is velocity of the vehicle causing water to enter the space between the inner and outer fender where the (open) air intake lives.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: 4wd training woes

I had a similar experience. Many moons ago we went to a local beach/bsush area with friends and crossed a small creek on the way in. Well known crossing, done it 100 times, all good easy as. On the way back there was a shower of rain but nothing more than a few mm. When we got to the creek crossing there was a Suzuki driving along the creek washing the sand out from under his car so we took a line about 1m wider than the track. And fell into a bloody great hole. Water up the windscreen! We were in 2nd low and were in and out of the hole in a couple of seconds. I shut the engine down immediately and popped the bonnet. The water was maybe 100mm deeper on the track than before so at most 400mm deep except for the hole we fell into. Luckily no water in the inlet or aircleaner. Very lucky. A snorkel went on the next week and every new 4wd we buy gets a snorkel and extended breathers as soon as its delivered. Like BB said. It's cheap insurance.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: 4wd training woes

Years ago a local reconditioner purchased an engine kit for a 4ltr petrol jeep , at the time the 4ltr have not been around that long I questioned the reconditioner on how many k's this Jeep has done his answer was not many but do I have 6 more engine kits as this was the first out of the 7 jeeps in a 4wd club that took the same water crossing and all 7 had no snorkles and hydraulic the engines .