how to ford water?

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

Soldato
Joined
12 May 2011
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Southampton
Not had a good motoring week! Yesterday, a 2 story high, at least 100 year old tree falls over about 10m in front of me (luckily I was doing about 20 to 25 at the time!), then earlier today I slip in the road infront of a car and then on my way home I have to ford a huge lake in the usual spot... I'd estimate it was 20cm over 20m.


Whinging aside, it got me wondering about proper fording technique? I went through it at about 10mph with constant high revs and clutch in first. It seemed logical to stay ahead of my own wave so I didn't slow down and made sure I wasn't crawling along where water could have sloshed back 'into the car' if you know what I mean.

So what's the best fording technique for relatively shallow water, normal cars?
 
POWERRRR!

Not really, just low speed with decent rev's as you say, and don't overtake the wave? Something along those lines I think. :)
 
Another route, for sure.

Otherwise if you don't really like your car then just smash through it. Did this the other day through a 1ft deep ford, the water claimed the front lip but otherwise, went well :p
 
I didn't have the option for another route unfortunately, it was immediately after a single lane humpback bridge. I wouldn't have just ploughed through it if it wasn't the usual spot for flooding that all other times has only been 10cm deep or so.
 
In my younger days I tried to take a ford at speed in a 1.1 mk3 fiesta. I got 3/4 of the way through before it cut out. Only way to get it out at the time was to turn it over on the key while in gear and limp a little at a time till the front end was out the water. Removed the air filter that was soaked and hung that on the mirror while I managed to start it and drive it home. Once air filter had dried it went back in and was fine.

Not one of the brightest things ive done.
 
It's not just the risk of flooding the engine (or cracking the cat or brake discs) but also the risk of submerged hazards that are impossible to see and much more likely than on unflooded road. Things like underwater branches/rocks that have been swept into the road but also existing hazards like large potholes - or even the sides of the road, which can be easily misjudged.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't go for it if I felt brave/stupid at the time :p
 
Keep the bow wave ahead of you (drive in the depression it makes)
Keep the speed down and the revs up.

Unless it gets a bit too deep. :D


:o
 
lol

I used to blast through (into) the flooded Whittlesey wash in a 1725 GT Hillman Hunter (SPK 721F) @ about 70mph

Never a problem !

[edit]

Except for punching holes through the rust spots !

(wet carpets)
 
oh that video xD didn't get sound (in work) but still.......the road did try to warn him with those no entry signs tho ;)

down by my parents house we always used to get a flood on this one stretch of road that was the only route in and out of the village....some would be lucky....others not.... we were always lucky thankfully :D it would just be slow and steady keeping the revs up high and not stopping :D and like the guy did, don't over take that wave, you want it just in front of you :)
 
Fuzz said:
Keep the bow wave ahead of you (drive in the depression it makes)
Keep the speed down and the revs up.

Unless it gets a bit too deep. :D


:o
Click to expand...

Many a person has been sworn at going the wrong way up there because there's traffic around the usual way! You monster!

We've lost two vans to that road during the floods from guys thinking that can make it! :D
 
Haha, I looked at doing it the other way first but you drop in too deep too quickly, I figured this was the safest bet...

I think it might have sniffed a bit of water when I stopped, it nodded and I lost the bow wave as I slid it straight to reverse.
I'm rather glad I decided it was too deep because a light popped up on the dash shortly after
Turned out there was a hole in the bottom of the airbox where there was supposed to be a self sealing grommet and my airfilter got a bit damp. :o
 
To be honest, I would have started going back a-lot sooner once I had pictured the scenario if the car were to die. That would result in a very wet car and a very wet me. :p
 
In an ordinary car? DO NOT TRY TO PUSH A BOW WAVE! Bow waves are for 4x4s with intakes at the rear of the engine bay like a Land Rover, your car probably has the intake in the front bumper, maybe you can keep pushing a cavity behind the bumper but I wouldn't risk it.

Drive through at low revs and low speed, I use near idle in 1st. If you do swallow up some water the low engine speed may minimise damage. Try to use the camber of the road or even the pavement to raise your car. Check your brakes once you are through.

The road to my parents' house often floods to about the level you describe, in fact is is now, I'm used to it.
 
Fuzz said:
Haha, I looked at doing it the other way first but you drop in too deep too quickly, I figured this was the safest bet...

I think it might have sniffed a bit of water when I stopped, it nodded and I lost the bow wave as I slid it straight to reverse.
I'm rather glad I decided it was too deep because a light popped up on the dash shortly after
Turned out there was a hole in the bottom of the airbox where there was supposed to be a self sealing grommet and my airfilter got a bit damp. :o
Click to expand...

Braver man than me!!
 
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