Has anyone noticed at what level (height) the air is drawn from on petrol (and, perhaps, diesel) models?

I foolishly suffered hydraulic lock on a diesel Clio due to not realising the air intake was down by the front wheel. This was many years ago but the bill exceeded £2000 due to my driving through...ahem.....rather deep water.

From one extreme to the other is the snorkel on some Land Rovers, etc.

Has anyone noticed at what level (height) the air is drawn from on petrol (and, perhaps, diesel) models?

I foolishly suffered hydraulic lock on a diesel Clio due to not realising the air intake was down by the front wheel. This was many years ago but the bill exceeded £2000 due to my driving through...ahem.....rather deep water.

From one extreme to the other is the snorkel on some Land Rovers, etc.

Iirc on my 1.8TSi its pretty high up towards the top of the front grill - thats the upper grill above the bumper and between the headlamps.

Iirc on my 1.8TSi its pretty high up towards the top of the front grill - thats the upper grill above the bumper and between the headlamps.

Same place on my 170 TDi as well.

Thanks for those two replies........anyone able to confirm it's the same on the 1.2?

Thanks for those two replies........anyone able to confirm it's the same on the 1.2?

Looking at tp's recently posted photo's of the 1.2 engine bay I'd say the position was very similar. :-)

So going through deep water with a nice bow wave may flood the engine

Mike

So going through deep water with a nice bow wave may flood the engine

Mike

Not if you do it properly, as then there is always a "hollow" immediately in front of the car. The problem is keeping it like that!

I've just been looking at Youtube clips of people going through (or not going through, as the case may be) the ford in which I got stuck. To think I might have even dreamt my car would go through it is a nonsense and does my credibility no good at all. Got wet feet, wet carpets, and a hydraulicked engine for my stupidity. Also got a vintage towtruck from a nearby village to pull it out. Didn't however get the bill....I had insurers willing to sympathise (doubt they would these days).

The Yeti air intakes in the same place as on the Octavia's - I've had a pidgeon fly through the grill and into the air intake, which required a trip to the dealer to fix. (sorry clean out and fit a new grill)

So, while I agree that if driving through water - if you do it right, you will be ok - I'd recommend following the manual and ensure you dont go deeper than they say the Yeti will do (not that deep) compared to a larger 4x4.

You can of course try some of the tricks I was taught:

1/ Don't bother and find another way.

2/ Turn around and reverse through.

Which ford was it Stan? My link

You can of course try some of the tricks I was taught:

1/ Don't bother and find another way.

2/ Turn around and reverse through.

Which ford was it Stan? My link

Whispers so no-one can hear......sssshhhhh! Type ...good easter ford.. in to Youtube or...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDLDMqonfiQ or

No-one in their right mind would attempt it in a diesel Clio. A somewhat lengthy body of water about 18" max in places at the time. Used by local dustcarts as a shortcut according to local cottage owner who had seen it all a million times before. Also used by local 4x4 users and bikers...all much, I'm sure, to the annoyance of said cottage owner. In my defence ( albeit a rather poor one) I thought at the time...it's a diesel - no electrics, it'll just keep going. Didn't know anything about taking in water from the air intake - which was a few inches above ground level. Insurers suggested court action to get LA to pay due it being an ill maintained public road and not signed as unsuitable for vehicles. We lost! Although signs appeared thereafter. I'm a little circumspect now when negotiating anything more than a puddle.

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by oldstan

So you wont be trying Aveton Gifford when the tides in then, Stan?

So you wont be trying Aveton Gifford when the tides in then, Stan?

Err....what's the word? short one starting with N Haven't been there though so, having just looked it up, will add it to my list of places to visit. (Only been here a few years..lots to learn).

Just noticed that Good Easter is on the WetRoads site. Having seen it on there it makes me look even more witless for getting stuck there.

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by oldstan

The only thing I would add is that the air intake is only one factor among many - including, particularly, any essential electrics that might get flooded, and other vents and breathers. It was for that reason, for instance, that the old 200 series and earlier Landrovers were generally preferred for wading duties to the 300 which is 'all electronic'. I don't know about the Yeti, but the Defender had other things to think about, like the vent in the flywheel housing - which needs to be plugged for heavy wading.

Bottom line, as said, is to follow the manual recommendations. Proceed steadily to ensure maintaining forward progress, but slowly enough to avoid waves and undue disturbance that can potentially cause all sorts of hassles (usually about walking speed). Causing a wake is all very well, until it hits the far 'bank', bounces back, and causes reinforcement of the waves already in front of you - and potential disaster. Always ensure brakes are dry and still function afterwards, of course. We used to do a lot of Landrover Experience off-road days as corporate entertainment - it is amazing what can be achieved with them. On the hill in Scotland we drive through rivers, with boulders and all, that would astonish anyone who has not done it. But we know exactly what route to take and what height of the river is too high. If in any doubt in unknown terrain we would get out and walk through it - cold in winter!

But I don't anticipate getting my Yeti in deeper than the manual states (page 179 in mine) - which is that water can reach 'at the maximum the web of the sill'. Don't switch off the engine and don't stand in that depth of water either, and note the other warnings on that page. As Yeti's get older, and there are more of them out there, their capabilities, or otherwise, will probably become clearer, as it has with some other marques. But I know how I will treat mine, at least for the foreseeable future!