Ford depth

[glencrannog]

Not very often, but occasionally in deepest Northumberland I use a couple of Fords on minor roads. What depth of water would you consider safe to negotiate bearing in mind the electrical system running underneath the Yaris Cross? Never sceptical before when driving a manual "ordinary" type of car, but just a bit of food for future thought.

[flash22]

The wading is depth 160 mm (just over 6") our upside down cousins have tried to drown one or two in the outback

[Max_Headroom]

Would it get through - 

 

 

[flash22]

You won't get through now as the council have closed that road

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/07/tiktok-car-fishing-craze-leads-to-closure-of-ancient-rufford-ford

[TonyHSD]

There is no problem water touches the high voltage cables as these are water tight. Going through deeper water cause premature wear on the wheel bearings and speed sensors built into them.
The other problem that may occur if you go over the max wading dept and if water goes through the vents behind rear bumper, then flood your boot floor and then straight into the hybrid Battery located under the rear seat bench. This could eventually cause issues and even long term illness., corrosion on bus bars connecting the separate Battery cells ( modules). 
I would say max water depth up to the bottom of the car without risks., could do a lot deeper if you don’t mind the above. 

[Max_Headroom]

Quote

You won't get through now as the council have closed that road

 

What i didn't realise was if they had used the roads to get round it wouldn't have added much time and miles to the journey, people are so stupid.

 

[Max_Headroom]

4 minutes ago, TonyHSD said:

I would say max water depth up to the bottom of the car without risks., could do a lot deeper if you don’t mind the above. 

Use the old saying if it looks too deep it probably is.

[Mooly]

Did I see a little Yaris get through at the end...

Reversing through at moderate speed might stand a better chance.

 

[Starensis]

When I worked at Land Rover and driving on the Jungle track on site, the instructor always said “ when driving through deep water, take it slow and avoid creating a bow wave, as this is what stalls the engine”.

Another issue was leaking door seals causing interior flooding.

[Max_Headroom]

1 hour ago, Mooly said:

Did I see a little Yaris get through at the end...

Yes, went in too fast but got very lucky.

 

 

[Max_Headroom]

Quote

When I worked at Land Rover and driving on the Jungle track on site, the instructor always said “ when driving through deep water, take it slow and avoid creating a bow wave, as this is what stalls the engine”.

There is a video of a guy driving through Rufford Ford in a normal car and getting through unscathed,  its as deep as in these videos but he enters at less than walking speed and keeps it at that speed all the way through.

[Max_Headroom]

How to do it - (blue Vauxhall at beginning)

 

[Cyker]

Hybrids and EVs have an advantage there as they are less likely to get hydrolocked, which is the biggest danger, although Teslas have a reputation for ripping off their undertrays!

[bathtub tom]

Gearboxes (and back axles on RWD) often have a breather. Necessary to prevent pressure blowing oil seals as they warm up. Dunk a warm one in cold water and it will tend to draw in air or water. Water mixing with the oil inside ain't gonna do a lot of good!

[Guest]

It's Robin Hood's fault.

I have watched a few of those Rufford videos. Most of the time it's not been "forded" correctly. Bull at a gate.

Saying that, if it's too deep, there is a depth indicator post, if some are too Darwinist to show off, get on with it.

I doubt I would attempt it at whatever depth.

The detour is not particularly long or difficult, much better than a hydro-locked engine or damaged electrics.

[anchorman]

It does say somewhere in the bumf to not submerge the motors.  

[Roy124]

Years ago, near Melton IIRC, the road was flooded for a good 100 yards or so.  It was not a ford and no depth indication.  Most cars got to the water then turned back. 

I saw the dashed white line in the centre and uniform depth.  Took it easy and no problem. Unlike a Ford my Triumph did not have an engine tray. 

[Max_Headroom]

2 hours ago, Roy124 said:

Unlike a Ford my Triumph did not have an engine tray. 

I dont think it makes  a difference  the air filter intake is the problem if you go too fast water goes through the grill and straight into the airbox then engine.

[Max_Headroom]

Quote

Did I see a little Yaris get through at the end...

Quote

Yes, went in too fast but got very lucky.

 

Having watched it again i think it stalls as the water goes over the bonnet this probably saved it as it didn't suck any in.

 

 

[Roy124]

Max, I was referring to the car that had its tray ripped off.  The Ford Anglia had such a tray. 

No idea if the Yaris has a tray as I can't see to the bottom of the engine. 

[Cyker]

The newer Toyotas seem to have full undertrays judging by how flat the bottom of them are compared to older models; They should be relatively safe from being torn off as the water will just skim under them.

The problem ones e.g. with the Tesla, is the one at the back - If they have an exposed edge facing forward, it acts like a scoop, which makes it very prone to being ripped off if water hits it hard enough.

 

[anchorman]

3 hours ago, Cyker said:

The newer Toyotas seem to have full undertrays judging by how flat the bottom of them are compared to older models; They should be relatively safe from being torn off as the water will just skim under them.

The problem ones e.g. with the Tesla, is the one at the back - If they have an exposed edge facing forward, it acts like a scoop, which makes it very prone to being ripped off if water hits it hard enough.

 

There have been quite a few in those videos and they all hurtle through.  Not sure how much of them is left in the murky depths but they don’t end up pushing like the Germans.   

[Guest]

12 hours ago, anchorman said:

they don’t end up pushing like the Germans.

I'm not alone in spotting that then?😄

[yossarian247]

I think Rufford Ford was built as part of the defences during WWII as it seems particularly effective in stopping German vehicles 😉