Engine died during water crossing

[dcmdon]

Maybe I'm too conservative, but I won't drive across anything that I'm not willing to walk through to check its depth.

Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but it makes more sense than blindly driving into 4 ft deep water.

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[ecidiego]

Maybe I'm too conservative, but I won't drive across anything that I'm not willing to walk through to check its depth.

Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but it makes more sense than blindly driving into 4 ft deep water.

It's called brains.

 

[Gvsukids]

Maybe I'm too conservative, but I won't drive across anything that I'm not willing to walk through to check its depth.

Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but it makes more sense than blindly driving into 4 ft deep water.

Or getting stuck in the middle.

 

[Gvsukids]

Speaking from experience (other vehicles):

- It’s possible that the engine shut down because the ECU sensed the water in the air box (disruption in air flow) and the wet filter. I’ve witnessed that first-hand.

-If the ECU does not catch the water ingress in the air box and shut the engine down, you’re possibly in for a hydro-lock.

Literally witnessed both, the latter being to a previous vehicle of mine, so take that for what it’s worth. $0, tree-fiddy, etc.

I’ll just say that you’re lucky it shutoff, go change the oil to be safe, and be happy.

That's why @Lunentucker, there are so many sensors.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/are-there-too-many-sensors.67380/

 

[Rahkmalla]

Water was half way up my door (3.5” lift on 37”s).

You've got a maximum 35.4 inch water fording ability (factory plus lift plus tires in an idealized scenario)
You've got 37 in tires that are probably 36.5s that sit about 35.5 or 36 under load.

If your tires are covered, you're in risky territory. The mark on your door looks to be roughly equal to your flares. You're lucky it started again.

 

[PlayfulBird]

a snorkel to avoid that danger next time :P (I like the Hauk one

As far as I remember they are out of business, or has something changed?

 

[Kindafearless]

As far as I remember they are out of business, or has something changed?

oh no! That’s sad

 

[Lost1wing]

There's a float switch just under the air box that will kill the engine in such events. Check it out next time you remove the fender liner. Can't miss it, it is right next to the conundrum valve port.

Glad to hear it started.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

There's a float switch just under the air box that will kill the engine in such events. Check it out next time you remove the fender liner. Can't miss it, it is right next to the conundrum valve port.

Glad to hear it started.

Genius!

 

[Lost1wing]

Some people do not understand the consequences of the " let's see if it starts " idea. I feel bad for the ones that have just lost everything in a flood, return home and attempt to start the vehicle they've left behind.

 

[Banditoo7]

Thanks for all the helpful posts. Especially those that were actually helping.

 

[Lost1wing]

Monday morning quarterback stuff doesn't really help much, I know. Others that read this get to benefit on events like this. They learn what to look at after fording through water, or maybe think twice about crossing deep water. Win-win for sure.

 

[BearFootSam]

I would always walk it first or have a long stick to feel out the bottom. It's not just depth, I want to know what the surface is like and if I am going to encounter any big boulders, holes, logs etc. Algae covered rock is worse than ice.

 

[dcmdon]

Some people do not understand the consequences of the " let's see if it starts " idea. I feel bad for the ones that have just lost everything in a flood, return home and attempt to start the vehicle they've left behind.

Yup. Pull the drain plug. If the oil drains clean in the begining you are ok to spin it. (water will settle to the bottom)

If not, change the oil before you even spin it.

Pull the plugs, spin it.
Put the plugs back in.
Check the oil for water. If there is any water in the first quart drained, change the oil again.

If its good, start it., let it idle for a few minutes.

Check the filler cap for condensation. If there is any, shut it off and change the oil again.
Start it up and run it down the highway to get temps up. Check the filler and dipstick for foaming.

If there is even a little, change the oil AGAIN.

I'm not really knowledgeable on how to change oil in the AT, transfer case, and diffs. But at least I know enough to know what I don't know. You probably want to check that other stuff at the same time you begin checking the engine.

 

[Arcticelf]

Hey, this is my first post and I’m learning about my jeep so go easy on me.

last Sunday night I crossed a flooded creek on the OOAT and it killed my engine. Water was half way up my door (3.5” lift on 37”s).

I grabbed my winch controller and jumped out my window. I took my winch one and swam to the bank swam back and put the winch in gear, and winched it out.

I thought I had destroyed my favorite toy but after eating 30 min, my headlights turned back on and I started it up.

I had a check engine light until I got to camp and started it the next morning, now the engine light is off, and it runs perfect.

questions:

1. Did I just get lucky or is there a safety device that shut it down before it drank creek water?

2. should I be concerned about anything/have anything checked out?

Before I get a lecture, trust me nobody could be more acutely aware of how lucky he is and how dumb that crossing attempt was.

Thanks

If the Mass Air Flow Sensor gets wet, even a little splash, it will shut the motor off. There's a ram air intake on the grill, lower passengers side, that ducts air into the air box, and if you get into water too deep will drive water in the same way.

If it started up after you let it sit you're probably fine, but I'd check the oil for any signs of water, and look into a snorkel.

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