Deep Water

[TinyTim]

With the current conditions a few may be tempted to take their Paj paddling for the first time so here's what you need to know ...

Always check the depth of water you are facing, either by poking with a stick or looking at other items around you (cars, walls, lamp posts etc).

The official maximum wading depth for a Mk2 Pakero is 45 cm (18").

You can go deeper if essential but you risk

1. Water coming into the cab
2. Water getting into the electrics
3. Water getting into the air intake and engine.

The exhaust pipe will not admit water as long as the engine is running.

Off roaders often fit snorkels to raise the air inlet from the top of the front O/S wheel arch and vaseline the door seals but for a standard Paj if water gets to the top of that wheel arch then it may be curtains for the engine. Diesels are more resilient to water outside the engine, but if water gets into a diesel its usually terminal.

Do engage 4 LLC as the drag of deep water can stall a manual (steering is harder in 4LLC tho).

Try to keep a bow wave in front of the car which keeps the engine bay and air inlet drier.

Be aware you cannot see any underwater obstructions and you may not be able to see where the road ends or curves.
In particular, a drop at the front end can swamp the air inlet before you can react.

Be aware your brakes will not work until they have dried off.

Inspect brakes and re-grease all the grease points under the car ASAP after wading.

Lastly - be careful not to cause further damage with your wake especially near buildings.


You can drive deep water safely but there is a risk so don't take chances unless you have to   

[Mudlark]

Can I add to that Tim:


A fast flowing river (as they are at the moment) is going to be stirring the bottom up shifting the gravel (or whatever) especially if you spin your wheels and it doesn't take much then between wading and submarining:


If this had been the other side I would have been in serious trouble

[Gordy]

A bow wave or two

[shoggyv6]

good post tim.

[TinyTim]

Thanks

One more thing that may not be clear to those that don't off-road ...

Speed is not your friend !

You need just enough to maintain momentum and push up that bow wave ahead of the car
but not so much you splash water over the screen or high out the sides of the front wheel arches.

Think of it this way ...
Imagine a telegraph pole lies across a track just after a sharp corner.
Hit it fast and you risk injury and damage to the car which could strand you in the middle of nowhere.
However at a crawl the car is quite able to climb over this.
The trick is arriving at a crawl in the first place.

Course now the telegraph pole is under water and you can't see it   

Sounds a bit holier than thou I know and Most of us have got unwound playing in big puddles 

 - but we make very sure we know what's in them first !

[dragon]

very good points tt 

[redpaj]

  nice informative post there mate

[shogunmick]

good post that tim makes sense

[pipestrangler]

good post i am sure it will help some owners out

[Steve Ray]

I hope the following pics help out any "would-be waders" The trick is getting enough forward speed to generate a nice bow wave to "push" the water away from the front of the vehicle, thus creating a lift; but not to go so fast as to overtake the bow wave! Tried to post some pics giving all examples (sorry not all are Paj's)



Deep water (no snorkel on 90) and bow wave



With snorkel this time - bow wave "lifts" water away from front of the vehicle.





However, don't drive too fast or you will "overtake" the bow wave, result into water rushing into you engine bay!




But not enough speed and you will not genreate the bow wave and the "lift" efect

[salty]

im still staying away from deep water until i get a snorkel!

[Dabsy]

im still staying away from deep water until i get a snorkel!

LOL me too !!

[fireblade]

 

[Tonka]

Fantastic pictures, very experienced and daring driving, or well planned with back up vehicles, probably both! I don't thing the rescue services would appreciate my telling them i'm in the middle of a stream bed and sinking fast, so shallow puddles for me. 

[REDNECK TENNESSE]

so dont let this hapen to you and that is me on there