alright, I was back on a trail yesterday, and hit a big puddle pretty quickly, about 4 -5 inches deep. My car jerked forward when I hit it, obviously because it slowed my momentum. What I am wondering is how, if at all, is this bad for my truck. I got a good start, hit it, and I believe I was still gassing it a bit when I blew through it. Just so you all know, there's nothing noticeably wrong, but am concerned about the wear and tear aspect of it all.

 

alright, I was back on a trail yesterday, and hit a big puddle pretty quickly, about 4 -5 inches deep. My car jerked forward when I hit it, obviously because it slowed my momentum. What I am wondering is how, if at all, is this bad for my truck. I got a good start, hit it, and I believe I was still gassing it a bit when I blew through it. Just so you all know, there's nothing noticeably wrong, but am concerned about the wear and tear aspect of it all.

 

the most dangerous part of water is that it can fry you electronics and hydrolock your motor if it is submerged. water especially the gritty muddy stuff is hard on components because the grit can cause premature wear. after having your truck in water to need to clean the components and grease everything to remove remaining water and grit.

 

Whats dangerous is the 03+ runner in water like that...

your actuator might get fubared up...

 

what is an actuator?

 

as long as you don't do it every day and you clean up under it when your done it will be fine.... unless you got a broke axle boot.....then the water will get in there and have a hay day!

 

dude, you drive a yota... if you dont see any fluids leaking, and your not having any trouble driving or shifting in and out of 4wd, then theres nothing wrong... the only possible thing that could be messed up i believe would be the alignment, but if your trailing, then your alignment is not perfect anyway

 

What truck/suv do you have?

Theres a lot of things that can go wrong when you mess with water. When you hit puddles like that water hits the radiator fan which sprays it everywhere in the engine bay. Depending on what you're driving, theres the distributor that can get wet, then an array of electronics that can be damaged.

Differentials that aren't breathed with hoses can suck in water. Your front hubs when submerged will seep water, if left untreated will ruin bearings. Spindle bushings when exposed to water, the grease seperates and those will wear out.

Water/debri can enter the airbox/intake.

as for hitting a puddle like that, depending on how much water splashed over the hood, i wouldn't worry about it.

But just for an example. I spent 10hours doing maintnence to my rig after this dumb/fun day =)

 

That's a big puddle!!! Did you get any leakage in the cab? I would not mind working on the truck after that but i would not want my feet wet while wheeling...

 

He has an 04 4Runner..You havent seen his 34129 posts about the same thing, copied in different sections..

 

"as long as you don't do it every day and you clean up under it when your done it will be fine.... unless you got a broke axle boot.....then the water will get in there and have a hay day! "

well, my cv axel is leaking, but the mechanic asid I have awhile until it goes. How long do you think? If I get one replaced, should I replace both? is there a btter cv axel than stock? how much should it all cost, and could I do it myself?

 

dont forget warped rotors if they are hot

 

always a good idea to change all fluids after deep water

 

this is all vary elementary stuff...

goog and youtube around. There is also the Top Gear Bolivia that's a good view.

oh, and fire your mechanic. I don't know about your joints but I value mine and would re-boot then as needed.

So they don't break at the worst opportune time...

But we also live in candy-a$%-land America. Where you have more than one vehicle and a service station with a guy that will charge you to do what you think you can't do, is at the end of the "trail".

 

I have a question about water damage...if an ecu is "fried " is it just going to interrupt the truck from starting or is everything going to be dead as in not cranking...reason i ask i screwed up last night and now no fire its snowin here so im trying to eliminate all options

 

It prolly won't start and will give you a bunch of codes.

Reply to your PM:


As with ANY possible hydro lock, 1st take your plugs out and turn the engine over long enough you think it's discharged all the water.

Then immediately change the oil.


Then for you EFI guys, Water Displacement on the 40th try... ie WD-40!

Spray it under the cap and into as many weather connections as you want to, but mainly the ECU connectors.

Then take the batt cable loose for 1 minute to clear all codes.

Try to restart and a CEL means it's got a code.

If it throws you a bunch more than likely the ECU's dead.

I also think the ECU has a breaker but can't recall right now...

good luck either way....

 

well got the truck home finally! Pulled plugs blew water out, flushed engine oil, dried distributor hit most connections with wire dry spray, still nothin. Will get back at it tommorrow.

 

If your ECU has been wet. CHANGE IT before you do anything further. that is your problem. I have done the same exact thing and that was all it was. They are pretty cheap used, got mine for $50

 

water is bad news for electronic