Petrol vs Diesel - Which is better for wading/fording/water crossing?

[tintin_85]

So I have searched the forum and haven't really found an answer to my question...ignoring precautions you must take and how high air intakes and breather pipes are, etc., I want to know purely between petrol and diesel engines, which is better for a water crossing and why?

I'm looking for an answer considering how they operate (compression vs spark ignition), dangers of water ingestion (and how crippling the effects are), how diesel having torque at lower revs might help push you through the water, etc. Basically, with regards to the general design between diesel and petrol engines, which is more suited for water crossings.

Thanks

[Chris Stoffel]

Diesel, no spark plugs and coils etc. that can get wet.

[circe]

Like chris said, diesel just make sure the air intake is above the water

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[Poen]

Many years ago a guy with a VW Syncro Microbus told me he seized the engine twice through water crossings.


His conclusion was that one should not take a running temperature hot component into water. He said you camp on the side and venture through first thing in the morning when everything is still cold.


But what do you do if you have several water crossings on your way?.

[tintin_85]

Many years ago a guy with a VW Syncro Microbus told me he seized the engine twice through water crossings.


His conclusion was that one should not take a running temperature hot component into water. He said you camp on the side and venture through first thing in the morning when everything is still cold.


But what do you do if you have several water crossings on your way?.

Which also begs the question, do diesel engines run at lower temperatures and do they generally have a larger engine block which should be more resistant to damage due to sudden temperature change?

[Chris Stoffel]

Which also begs the question, do diesel engines run at lower temperatures and do they generally have a larger engine block which should be more resistant to damage due to sudden temperature change?

They run at the same temperatures because they have larger radiators but they generate more heat. Engines don't just break in two when you cross water, don't stress about it. Stop, check out how deep the water is. Let the car cool down if you want to and cross. If there are crocodiles send the wife to check the water!

[neoT]

How deep is the water, middle of your wheel then it is same as driving in the rain but bonnet deep then the sudden temp change will have an effect somewhere, I also think the age of the vehicle or design plays a role, modrn diesels have electronics that doesnt work when wet and probably use thinner material as well and possibly diff materials between head and block. Older diesels with mechanical injection will be better but a hot turbo sudenly dunked in water will give problems doesnt matter old or new design.

Neil via LG G3

[tintin_85]

They run at the same temperatures because they have larger radiators but they generate more heat. Engines don't just break in two when you cross water, don't stress about it. Stop, check out how deep the water is. Let the car cool down if you want to and cross. If there are crocodiles send the wife to check the water!

Ok, though maybe they run at different temps with petrols having higher exhaust gas temps than diesels

[Chris Stoffel]

Ok, though maybe they run at different temps with petrols having higher exhaust gas temps than diesels

I don't know! But I don't think that matters. If your exhaust manifold or your turbo is under water then you are actually a submariner! Then you should not have attemted the crossing, I would think?

[stephenplumb]

No question that diesel is the better bet. Search YouTube for some videos of deep water crossing and even better Russian trucks crossing speeding rivers. The basic Diesel engines are very tough and can run completely submerged as long as they have a decent snorkel.

Weather you should do it is another question entirely. You Need to extend diff, transfer box and gearbox breathers up into your snorkel at a minimum. I know the tdi landies also had wading plugs that I think kept water out of the clutch.

Personally I and most people that have worked on their own vehicles will avoid water above the tyres like the plague


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