What went wrong and what damage might I have done?
Discussion
Bit of an epic with my Toyota Prado (landcruiser) yesterday.
It is stock, no trick bits except for (worn) offroad tyres.
Exploring a river in the jungle in dry season so not very deep - up to maybe a foot in most parts with some deeper (and avoidable) pools up to a couple of metres deep.
River bed is mostly gravel, no mud or sand, but obviously very wet and loose.
Done river crossings before, no problems.
However this time the tyres lost grip and I got stuck.
I was in 4 wheel drive but I believe only the front axle has a diff lock (this could be wrong).
I got out and realised that my off-road tyres were too worn down to make much impact on the gravel.
I put logs and sticks under the wheels to help gain traction, but no good.
The car dug itself deeper, especially the rear wheels (no diff lock I think). Tried reverse and only succeeded in making the car go side ways towards deeper water. The engine kept going and the exhaust bubbled.
Tried pulling out with a couple of horses (it was never going to work but worth a try!)
Car slid into deep water, flooded the interior, half-flooded the engine compartment, engine cut out and flooded the exhaust system. The air filter is wet and the intake from the filter box into the engine seemed dry but is only a centimeter or so above surface level.
Mad electrical clicking noise from electrical compartment so I disconnect the battery.
Long story short, managed to drag it out backwards with a truck,
Tons of water poured out of everywhere.
No water obvious when checking the oil.
Debate whether to call for a off-road tow truck to take it to a garage (but bearing in mind I am in the middle of the jungle and it might take days to arrange, or to try starting it (and maybe risk damage). Decide to turn the key. Started first time! A lot of black water from the exhasut, some of the dashboard lights / instruments gone funny, but it seemed normal so I drove home.
I was disappointed to have got stuck, and worse that no combination of 2/4 wheel drive, diff lock on/off made any difference. What could I have done better?
And what hidden damage can be done by flooding the car (apart from soaking upholstery and the weird dashboard electrics that hopefully might dry out)??
Ta for any advice!
PS I would have taken picture but my phone was in my pocket as I dived under the water and is knacked so no pics, they would have been fantastic!
It is stock, no trick bits except for (worn) offroad tyres.
Exploring a river in the jungle in dry season so not very deep - up to maybe a foot in most parts with some deeper (and avoidable) pools up to a couple of metres deep.
River bed is mostly gravel, no mud or sand, but obviously very wet and loose.
Done river crossings before, no problems.
However this time the tyres lost grip and I got stuck.
I was in 4 wheel drive but I believe only the front axle has a diff lock (this could be wrong).
I got out and realised that my off-road tyres were too worn down to make much impact on the gravel.
I put logs and sticks under the wheels to help gain traction, but no good.
The car dug itself deeper, especially the rear wheels (no diff lock I think). Tried reverse and only succeeded in making the car go side ways towards deeper water. The engine kept going and the exhaust bubbled.
Tried pulling out with a couple of horses (it was never going to work but worth a try!)
Car slid into deep water, flooded the interior, half-flooded the engine compartment, engine cut out and flooded the exhaust system. The air filter is wet and the intake from the filter box into the engine seemed dry but is only a centimeter or so above surface level.
Mad electrical clicking noise from electrical compartment so I disconnect the battery.
Long story short, managed to drag it out backwards with a truck,
Tons of water poured out of everywhere.
No water obvious when checking the oil.
Debate whether to call for a off-road tow truck to take it to a garage (but bearing in mind I am in the middle of the jungle and it might take days to arrange, or to try starting it (and maybe risk damage). Decide to turn the key. Started first time! A lot of black water from the exhasut, some of the dashboard lights / instruments gone funny, but it seemed normal so I drove home.
I was disappointed to have got stuck, and worse that no combination of 2/4 wheel drive, diff lock on/off made any difference. What could I have done better?
And what hidden damage can be done by flooding the car (apart from soaking upholstery and the weird dashboard electrics that hopefully might dry out)??
Ta for any advice!
PS I would have taken picture but my phone was in my pocket as I dived under the water and is knacked so no pics, they would have been fantastic!
4 wheel drive means bugger all if your tyres are screwed
simple as that really, the thing about proper off roading, is planning, you failed at the very first hurdle, you know your tyres were bald but went into water where you have even less traction.
was always going to happen mate sorry
simple as that really, the thing about proper off roading, is planning, you failed at the very first hurdle, you know your tyres were bald but went into water where you have even less traction.
was always going to happen mate sorry
T_Pot said:
4 wheel drive means bugger all if your tyres are screwed
simple as that really, the thing about proper off roading, is planning, you failed at the very first hurdle, you know your tyres were bald but went into water where you have even less traction.
was always going to happen mate sorry
Yes, that is kind of what I think too. simple as that really, the thing about proper off roading, is planning, you failed at the very first hurdle, you know your tyres were bald but went into water where you have even less traction.
was always going to happen mate sorry
Ayahuasca said:
No water obvious when checking the oil.
If I were you I'd be changing the oil anyway, also the diff oil if it needs it. I'm not familiar with landcruisers but do you have wading plugs? On a land rover you would have one fitted on the bell housing. If you do then take that out and drain off any water. Whip the air filter out and give it a clean/replace and check for moisture, WD40 any open electrical connections and lube them up ready for any future ventures.Hope that's helpful.
Bad luck firstly, although walking the riverbed with a long stck first,
to check its bed might be better next time.
I have dunked a few cars in muddy water pits in the past and once they've run again, (together with a bit of smoke)
Initially, they have been OK.
If there's a plug you pull from the bellhousing and let any more water out then do it.
Air everything else for a good while and your dashboard might recover.
Replace tyres though certainly if your gooing to make a habit of this,
and if you lose that bow wave in front of you,
just try and keep moving (even if its in reverse)
Until your on firm. Ground again
to check its bed might be better next time.
I have dunked a few cars in muddy water pits in the past and once they've run again, (together with a bit of smoke)
Initially, they have been OK.
If there's a plug you pull from the bellhousing and let any more water out then do it.
Air everything else for a good while and your dashboard might recover.
Replace tyres though certainly if your gooing to make a habit of this,
and if you lose that bow wave in front of you,
just try and keep moving (even if its in reverse)
Until your on firm. Ground again
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
Della said:
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
Depends on if you want you ruin your carpets or not I think! The air intake is inside the top of the right wheel arch and the pipe goes a bit higher to the air filter and the intake to the engine is on top of the filter so I guess that is your 'do not exceed' depth without a snorkel.I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
All my electrics are working now (good spray around with WD 40 sorted it). Apart from having the oil / diff lube/ etc checked the main problem is wet smelly carpets.
Cheers for the advice!
Della said:
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
You'd pretty much only ever want to go as deep as the manual states, if you want to go deeper then you'd probably need to extend the axle breathers to stop them from sucking in water, not a difficult job to do by any means, literally 10 mins and some hose and just run the hoses up into the engine bay.I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
Ayahuasca said:
All my electrics are working now (good spray around with WD 40 sorted it). Apart from having the oil / diff lube/ etc checked the main problem is wet smelly carpets.
Thats why you want something like mine with no carpets to get wet 
mrdelmonti said:
Della said:
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
You'd pretty much only ever want to go as deep as the manual states, if you want to go deeper then you'd probably need to extend the axle breathers to stop them from sucking in water, not a difficult job to do by any means, literally 10 mins and some hose and just run the hoses up into the engine bay.I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
k it PDQ.Bill said:
mrdelmonti said:
Della said:
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
You'd pretty much only ever want to go as deep as the manual states, if you want to go deeper then you'd probably need to extend the axle breathers to stop them from sucking in water, not a difficult job to do by any means, literally 10 mins and some hose and just run the hoses up into the engine bay.I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
k it PDQ.mrdelmonti said:
Bill said:
mrdelmonti said:
Della said:
Slightly off topic but how deep do you usually go in water without having a snorkel fitted?
I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
You'd pretty much only ever want to go as deep as the manual states, if you want to go deeper then you'd probably need to extend the axle breathers to stop them from sucking in water, not a difficult job to do by any means, literally 10 mins and some hose and just run the hoses up into the engine bay.I ask because I also have a Prado (2005 V6 petrol) and I don't have a snorkel. I think the owner's manual has a depth written in it but I'd like to know how conservative that is.
Am I right in saying that you can go much deeper for short periods?
k it PDQ.Fecking brilliant testimonial for Toyota dependability!
I'd only add that given the sort of stuff you're getting up to - you really should learn a bit more about the basics of your vehicle and how they relate to various off-roading scenarios.
Your vehicle's only going to have a rear diff-lock (do you have a round/turny knob for this in the cabin?) & certainly won't have fronts unless you bought it off a complete off-roading nut.
Your vehicle is permanent four-wheel drive - and brush up a bit on what the centre diff-lock does - comes into play when you think the front end of the vehicle is going to lose traction (e.g. cresting a steep incline), & you want to be sure that you can use the traction that the rear wheels still have - or vice versa.
But as the others say and as you recognise anyway - the tyres were half the issue here.
Your LC doesn't have any wading plugs - and I think the axle breathers come out quite high - just above the engine.
They're rated for wading higher than a standard Landie - & I guess you've proved that it can take a bit more!
Also, for river wading (not sure if teaching a granny to suck eggs here) - esp where the consequences of a failed crossing might be dire of life-threatening - the idea is to open the doors and LET the water in, in order to maximise traction and minimise bouyancy - this tactic might have not saved your carpets - but we don't know how much traction your car's bouyancy cost you in that scenario. It might have clinched it.
I'd only add that given the sort of stuff you're getting up to - you really should learn a bit more about the basics of your vehicle and how they relate to various off-roading scenarios.
Your vehicle's only going to have a rear diff-lock (do you have a round/turny knob for this in the cabin?) & certainly won't have fronts unless you bought it off a complete off-roading nut.
Your vehicle is permanent four-wheel drive - and brush up a bit on what the centre diff-lock does - comes into play when you think the front end of the vehicle is going to lose traction (e.g. cresting a steep incline), & you want to be sure that you can use the traction that the rear wheels still have - or vice versa.
But as the others say and as you recognise anyway - the tyres were half the issue here.
Your LC doesn't have any wading plugs - and I think the axle breathers come out quite high - just above the engine.
They're rated for wading higher than a standard Landie - & I guess you've proved that it can take a bit more!
Also, for river wading (not sure if teaching a granny to suck eggs here) - esp where the consequences of a failed crossing might be dire of life-threatening - the idea is to open the doors and LET the water in, in order to maximise traction and minimise bouyancy - this tactic might have not saved your carpets - but we don't know how much traction your car's bouyancy cost you in that scenario. It might have clinched it.
Arif110 said:
Also, for river wading (not sure if teaching a granny to suck eggs here) - esp where the consequences of a failed crossing might be dire of life-threatening - the idea is to open the doors and LET the water in, in order to maximise traction and minimise bouyancy - this tactic might have not saved your carpets - but we don't know how much traction your car's bouyancy cost you in that scenario. It might have clinched it.
Used to be a really keen off-roader when I was younger - I'm not questioning your comment at all - makes perfect sense, but I'd never heard that. Every day's a school day...muppetdave said:
Arif110 said:
Also, for river wading (not sure if teaching a granny to suck eggs here) - esp where the consequences of a failed crossing might be dire of life-threatening - the idea is to open the doors and LET the water in, in order to maximise traction and minimise bouyancy - this tactic might have not saved your carpets - but we don't know how much traction your car's bouyancy cost you in that scenario. It might have clinched it.
Used to be a really keen off-roader when I was younger - I'm not questioning your comment at all - makes perfect sense, but I'd never heard that. Every day's a school day...However, with something like a Landcruiser - take the wheels off and chuck it in water - you'll realise that you've got the beginnings of a 'hull' - and a boat!
When you see Wolfs doing beach landings (in magazines) - completely normal for water to be in the vehicle, often up to driver's waist-level - even chest!
You get away without knowing about this principle in a lot of situations because a modern car's weight overcomes most bouyancy effects, to make bouyancy less of an issue - except as here - where it might be the margin needed to save the situation.
And for a Landie - for the water to be up to sill level - you'd have to be in pretty deep water, way over it's 'rated' wading depth - but not really enough to need a snorkel.
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