OK, so I'm one of the few people who wheels during heavy rains. Normally I am cautious in deep water and mud. I was on a mountain trail and the standing water in front of me looked doable and I had been on the trail before. But, suddenly the bottom drops out and my hood is under water. My truck pulled through, but the engine was stumbling. I opened the air filter box. There was water on the bottom and the filter was heavy with water. I discarded the wet filter and put in a new one on the way home. No problems. Luck and grace were on my side that day.

Has anyone else had this happen? Does the filter usually stop the water from being ingested into the engine? I wonder if my filter had gotten wet in the past but I didn't realize it.

A few observations:
The stupid CEL goes on for just about everything. Funny thing is that it didn't go on when the engine was struggling for air. It never did code. Go figure.

I was impressed with how well the electrical system is sealed. No problems anywhere that I can see.

Maybe a snorkel isn't such a bad idea for the unexpected plunges into deep standing water.

Never assume anything. Test the depth of water. I would have been a disaster to have a hydro-locked engine.

I am learning a lot each time I go out, but each "learning experience" seems to carry a certain element of risk to my vehicle. But, I guess that's what makes it exciting. It's not Disney World out there. Things are unpredictable.

Pete

(P.S. Joe D's invincible Rodeo took quite a plunge into deep mud and water at Cala'Zu II - halfway up the door! But, after he let the water drain out he continued on his way. Unlike me, he always stays calm.)

Trailmystic,

The inlet for the filter is inside the fender between the plastic liner/steel fender.I doubt the engine actually ingetsed water,water and engines do not mix,not even a little.If you consider the size of the combustion chamber it takes very little fluid to lock the engine up.
More than likely the change in temperature of the engine,air(steam)and the chocking of air(initial wet filter) caused the engine to sense a rich/lean situation for which it over corrected and continued to do so til calmed down......similiar to the intake maniflod leak senario.
The engine senses extra air so it pours on the fuel,then it's to rich so it leans it out etc.etc.
I say you'd be ok,but a snorkel to control the splash into the box will be a good thing and if the front fender gets submerged before you can shut it off,a snorkle could save you from ingesting water,when the driverside falls into a trench left from like a 44bogger.

Bansil

So, what are the snorkel options for my truck? I know that they have to be adapted.

Pete

Seach for a post by Bigpoppax2. He has some great info on his snorkle install on a 2nd gen Rodeo.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />Andre

Just remember that no snorkel is going to keep your alternator out of the water. Someone a while ago was trying to come up with a way of waterproofing the alternator, but I don't think anything came of it.

OK then whats the point of getting the snorkel if your alternator will just die when you actually use it? id still like ot get a snorkel but i would like my truck to actually be able to use it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

well, a dead alternator is a lot less costly than a hydrolocked engine. and your truck will still continue to run (for a short time) with a dead alternator... suck down water, you'll know it right away.

short answer is, its really tough to completely waterproof a gas engine to run totally submerged underwater. diesel engines are better suited for this. words of wisdom... don't buy a snorkle because you think it will protect everything under your hood from the water, you'll be sorely upset with the outcome.

-Rob

could you fabricate some kind of water proofing for the alternator?

Interisting stuff.
Had my diesel submerged up to window hight in water. Not intensionally. But survived, no snorkel. I do not see talk on the effect or extending the breather pype on the diffs to prevent water entering the diff. Also a costly repair if you do not drain the water from the diff.
Hot oil quenched suck in air, but if breather is submerged...

water proofing? no, our type of alternator has to breath. you could work out some sort of splash shield or swap to a marine/sealed alternator with enough work... but it won't be easy.

-Rob