Offroading problem..water?
 

OK so today on my way home from work I decided to hit a nearby trail. First 2 mudholes are huge. When I hit the first one truck almost died started sputtering. Plumes of white smoke coming out of exhaust. What did I do? I think maybe I sucked in some water into my air filter? I got home let it run for like an hour idleing. Now it seems fine. Are there some things I need to check out to see if everything is alright?

check the oil.. make sure it isnt white or milky

if it is white or milky does that mean there is water in it?

yup..

anything else i should check? maybe change the air filter also?

only if its wet.

ya check air filter and oil.. this has happend to my friends truck when we were on t he trail, except its stalled and the idle was at 3,500.
take apart the intake and let it dry out. if the filter is wet or dirty, change it.
prob just got a little water in the cyclinders.

was your air filter wet?

it seemed like it was just a little damp yes lol water was all over the front of the air box and puddled on the top grooves. its dark right now but i think the oil is fine ill have to check it in the morning again to make sure. i appreciate all the help guys thank you very much

Avatar tell's it all.

well if ya cant have fun with it why buy it lol

Check my avatar. 3 feet of water hit so hard the wave broke OVER the roof.

I have a stock airbox, and if you do, do the following:

1. Remove that "snorkel" tube on the front of the box.

2. Take a 3/4" to 1" spade bit (like you'd use for wood) and drill holes in the box on all sides BELOW the filter (in the bottom section of the box). Make the holes as high up as you can.

What this does is makes it that the water has to come up WELL above the original intake hole before you create a "seal" that sucks water wholesale through the filter. In addition, having holes all the way around ensures that water piling up in the front doesn't block intake air.

I've NEVER taken water in yet, even hitting holes as hard (and I do hit them really hard in 2WD) as I do and going as deep as I do.

Nothing is a guarantee except a real external snorkel. But you can definitely help your problem a lot by doing as I've suggested.

Sorry for the rookie question, but, what happens if water ever DOES get in there? Is it a tempory issue that causes stalling or will it be TERMINAL to the engine?

Depends on the quantity. I've known of a few guys with older Rangers -- which have a worse intake system from the factory for this -- that have hydro-locked the engine and bent or broke internal parts.

When the cylinder fills partly or completely with water, then the piston cannot compress it. Then, the force from other cylinders firing will cause SOMETHING to give. That's the worst case scenario.

SOME water getting in will just make a bunch of steam and cause you run like crap. If mud gets in there, you can get a fouled MAF, and so on. But that's mild overall. Also, the water will usually blow-by some and contaminate your oil -- though that may simply boil away without major effect if it's very little.

It's possible that some water got into the intake manifold, it's also possible that you waterlogged your alternator. There are many risks associated with taking your truck "swimming".

i think i got a little water sucked in not alot but everything seems fine today. air filter was drenched. took that out. everything else looked fine even the oil was still good. still looks like when i put it in there. that amsoil oil rocks LOL but thanks everyone for such fast responses and i think i will do a little more hole drilling in the box. right now its got four in it only on one side.

Isnt truck swimming fun?!

Thanks John. From what I can tell, the intake/filter is on the passenger's side. That worries me now that I have that information. Usually, when taking a large puddle, I always move a foot or two to the left during my approach. I do that in hopes of avoiding the underwater ruts which could be a foot or so in height. Now, it sounds like my doing that, I'm putting myself at more risk to sucking in water. Maybe I should go over to the right that couple of feet, instead of to the left. That way, my intake/filter is higher, if I land in a rut. I started doing it this way, figuring if I ever did a rut, my passenger side is deeper in the water instead of the driver's side door.

I know what you mean! It's nice to think about not having water in the cab. I have -- twice. But hey, I survived it. I am more concerned with keeping the engine running though. A snorkel is in my future for sure if I keep wheeling Wharton.

you may wanna check your pumpkin too... if you were in enuff water to soak your air filter, you most likely submerged your pumpkin, so check the oil in that, it shouldnt be creamy - creamy is bad. also, you may also wanna check your tranny fluid from creaminess to since your breather tube is pretty far down ther too, i believe n3elz added a rubber hose with a hose clamp and ran it up to his engine compartment, the important thing if ur gonna do that is make sure you dont kink the hose

Very good point. I have my vents extended up to my engine compartment, looped over the master cylinder. That's shown on the first page of my Cardomain site if anyone's interested. I don't have a front diff, but the principle is the same as extending the rear and transmission.

If anyone wants to extend their vents I got some goodyear synflex tubing.
for 10$ + shipping.

where is the breather tube located?

On the rear axle, on the drivers side axle tube, about 1/2 way between the wheel and the pumpkin.

On the transmission, it's just a fitting with a loosly fit cap. You pry the cap off, and fit some 1/2" I.D. Tubing over the fitting to make an "adaptor" to the 1/4" I.D. tube and clamp everything with small hose clamps.

See my Cardomain site for pics -- except you can't see the top of the tranny so there's no pics. I did it by feel.

Isn't there a breather on the transfer case as well?