Water Whoops

Brian1 · September 27, 2009

I was leading a run this weekend in Southern NM, 150 miles of nothing but dirt, rocks and water. Sunday morning we headed for a trail called Monticello Canyon which is a road that follows a canyon bottom with about 100 stream crossings. I had run this trail earlier this year but the trail had become much worse since the last time I ran it. I came to one of the crossings that didnt look bad but then I found a big hole. The engine didnt sound good so I shut it off right away. Once I got some straps hooked up to pull me backwards I tried to restart but got nothing. I put it in neutral and it took 2 Jeeps strapped to the back to yank me out of the 3' hole. The bottom was a fine silt that gave no traction. The water had killed my starter. Water had come into the passenger side floorboard a good 5" deep inside and soaked my carpet and a few other things like all my maps in the door pocket.

I got home tonight and pulled up the carpet and padding as much as I could without taking the seat out and then pulled the drain plug.

Some pics:

Tbars4 · September 27, 2009

...

...Water can be no fun at times...I hope this all ends up being simple maintenance for you and nothing serious...

BrianDye · September 27, 2009

Correct me if im wrong, but if the waters not getting to the airfilter, than the worst thing todo is shut it off right? Lol cus it would go into the exhaust and all that....I think?

But damn sounds like a hella fun trip until that happened

:
Hopefully its not too expensive to replace/fix whatcha gotta fix man

Turdle · September 28, 2009

It doesn't look like it was deep enough to suck much in the engine. :dunno:

Tbars4 · September 28, 2009

...If he is still running the stock air filter and intake for it, it is submerged in the first picture as the cold air comes in right behind the turn signal... :dunno:

Brian1 · September 28, 2009

I have a KKM. When I first splashed into the hole the engine sounded like it was going to die and I knew water splashed over the hood so I wasnt sure if the filter had got wet or not. Once we got it out the pre filter was a little damp but ok. It must have been the backpressure from being under water that was choking it off I guess. I dont know if I subscribe to the theory of turning off the engine will suck water all the way up the exhaust. It was one of those oh *&#@ moments and my first reaction was to turn it off after hearing the engine trying to die.

New starter will be replaced under warranty.

ericautopart · September 28, 2009

:thumbdwn:

You don't know how many people I've went wheeling with that have bought snorkels after this type of mishap. Never fun. I'd drain the diffs too. Not sure where the alternator is on the 1st gen X but we used to silicone spray that too..

rednecksoldier · September 28, 2009

try taking the spark plugs out and see if any water got in there. that happened to me and it wouldnt start but i just drained it and it fired right up with new plugs.

Brian1 · September 28, 2009

ericautopart said:
I'd drain the diffs too.

I have raised breathers for the diffs and tranny/t-case so no worries there. Those didnt even come close to getting wet :thumbsup:

Alternator was pretty high so I dont think any water got to it.

rednecksoldier said:
try taking the spark plugs out and see if any water got in there. that happened to me and it wouldnt start but i just drained it and it fired right up with new plugs.

It runs like a champ, it just doesnt start anymore lol.

Getloworgohome · September 28, 2009

Brian1 said:
New starter will be replaced under warranty.

Haha. nice

yellowford · September 28, 2009

So in this case an automatic would not have been to much fun, is it also true that your not supposed to push in the clutch while going through water as it allows water to come in contact with the clutch.

Brian1 · September 28, 2009

yellowford said:
So in this case an automatic would not have been to much fun,

Right, I would have been screwed if it was an auto. I had to get a tow and pop the clutch to start it. I try not to push in the clutch when in water but I did here and didnt notice any slipping due to being wet.

Sams01XplrSprt · September 28, 2009

whoops

Rick · September 28, 2009

I sunk my Ex in a stream crossing I had taken several times. It looked easier and shallower than ever before almost like someone graded it. It looked so easy I didn't bother to put it in four wheel drive first. Bad move... The reason it looked smoother is because silt had filled in around all the boulders

I got stuck in the boulders and by the time I put it in 4x4 it was too late.

The water was moving quickly and carried a lot of silt. I had just replaced my brake shoes about a month before (still had rear drums then). By the time I got home from the run I had ruined the new shoes. The silt carved grooves all through them. I had never seen anything like it before.

If you still have rear drums, I'd pull them and check the shoes for damage. The silt can get between the drum and shoes while the vehicle is stuck and grinds away while you drive.

Brian1 · September 28, 2009

Rick, thats good info - thanks. The 2nd time I got stuck that day before the water incident my rear brakes were making bad noises like silt was in them. I plan to pull the rotors off and look inside the e-brake - I have rear discs.

Well I got the starter replaced (love the lifetime warranty stuff!) and all is good :thumbsup:

Just pulled the passenger seats out and drained alot more water out. Carpet and padding is pulled up and I have a fan blowing on it now while the water steadily keeps draining out

SuRrEaLNJ · September 28, 2009

no problems with the comp with 5" of water on that side?

Brian1 · September 28, 2009

SuRrEaLNJ said:
no problems with the comp with 5" of water on that side?

Nope...luckily.

SuRrEaLNJ · September 28, 2009

consider it a victory, ditch the carpets and herculine that floor

Water Whoops

Brian1

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