16 replies to this topic

[JOC]

For anyone who lives in sussex they will know that todays ran was very heavy and flooded a lot of backroads unfortunately on the same day I decided to drive into work this morning in my 1983 Austin. Traveling home at about 1pm it started to lash down. Anyhow You would think a mini would sink fairly quick in deep water I was surprised when I found the mother of all flooded roads unable to turn round I slamed the car into first and went for it. Probably a bad mistake looking back on it but did the usall things of building up a wave infront of the car. Anyhow managed to get thru ok the car behind me however followed me in and obvoiusly thinking if the minis going in it must be safe for me to. The water at deepest was just up over the top of the wheel arch (about 18"). Well all i can say is i came out the other side ok the vauxhall behind me did not. I think at one point the mini was almost floating as the revs went up a bit.
I am surprised that Water did not go into the air filter on the carb I think the only reason I got away with this is my filter is right at the back of the bonnett at the top.
My next question has anyone tryed makeing one into something like a duck military vechile?
Just a note do not try this I was just lucky.

Car is now in garage with heater drying it out.

Edited by JOC, 13 November 2009 - 03:18 PM.

[newdawn1st]

As you seem to hint at aslong as the air filter doesn't get swamped and the electrics dont short in the water then you should still go, sensibly you kept the revs up which would help maintain exhaust gas velocity stopping water going into the exhaust tail pipe. The grill and engine block most likely pushed the water away from the air filter (although this is above the block so shouldn't be a problem anyway) and hopefully the dizzy and plugs.

After that you testing the seals on the doors and finding if you have a watertight bulkhead and archs.

Lucky i'd say to be honest but good show all the same, Mini's rock

[Darkscamp]

i drove through 2ft deep water during a monsoon in a hired moke while on holiday in Barbados.

i just kept the revs up and plowed through it. there were bow waves up each side of the moke but for some reason it stayed dry inside considering we only had a canvas sheet as a roof.

all the modern cars were driving slowly or had sucked water in through the air intake, but i was at full bore cutting through the water, drowning everything in the huge waves caused by the moke

2hrs later the sun had dried the whole island out, shame as it was great fun >

[998dave]

Yey - I get to post my favourite picture again - This deep;

[daemonchild]

A couple of years ago when we last had major floods in this area, I drove my mate home in my Peugeot 307. We were plowing through some DEEP water when I spotted some kids up ahead leaning against their garden gate watching. We waved for them to get away, but they just waved back. Needless to say, as we passed by there was quite a wake. The kids got soaked... Ooops.

[captainjack15]

I love that picture Dave!!

Saved it on m computer ages ago... hope you don't mind!!

[MarlonSpi]

A few years ago we went through Shell Ford nr Droitwich in a SCAMP, me being clever we went through at speed!... The Scamp went through the water no problem but the wave we caused at the front cleared the windscreen and dropped its load of freezing water on me and my passenger!! ( Girlfriend- very unimpresssed girlfriend!) Lol!!!

[sambarnes]

We had some major floods today, i went through one by a river that was about 4.5 foot deep in the tractor and some idiot in a saxo tried following.

The water went about half way up his windows and then his engine died so i had to tow him out. His car let in a bit of water aswell which he wasnt happy about haha.

[xBR4DLEY]

We had some major floods today, i went through one by a river that was about 4.5 foot deep in the tractor and some idiot in a saxo tried following.

The water went about half way up his windows and then his engine died so i had to tow him out. His car let in a bit of water aswell which he wasnt happy about haha.

The funniest story i've heard all day mate
and for the saxo driver

[sambarnes]

god knows what he was thinking.

The little trailer i was towing (about the same height as his car) was pretty much submersed so i dunno what was running through his head to make him go in to it when it was clearly to deep.

[l_jonez]

have driven thru water where the wheels where totally submerged, just kept the revs up. megajolt is great


the bubbiling sound from the exhaust was interesting

[xBR4DLEY]

god knows what he was thinking.

The little trailer i was towing (about the same height as his car) was pretty much submersed so i dunno what was running through his head to make him go in to it when it was clearly to deep.

How did he make you tow him out
Like get out his car and shout LOL
but still what an idiot

[sambarnes]

god knows what he was thinking.

The little trailer i was towing (about the same height as his car) was pretty much submersed so i dunno what was running through his head to make him go in to it when it was clearly to deep.

How did he make you tow him out
Like get out his car and shout LOL
but still what an idiot

Haha, i was watching him the whole time and when he started coming in i stopped and was hanging of the steps shouting NOO and waving, but he kept coming til his engine went, then he started beeping the horn (which was hilarious) and waving.

I had to pull him out by a rope through the top of his door windows because he couldnt get out as his car would of flooded haha.

[minimanclive]

I've driven through quite deep water in my Mini. It was about half way up the wheels. It drove through OK, but the water got into one of the front wheel bearings which failed shortly afterwards.

[JOC]

Cool picture looks very similar ot my experience except I could see the other side of the wave and not much else. Anyway the car has spent most of the week drying out in the garage. Seems to be fine took it out for a drive and all is alright. Also I was surprised that I only got a few drips of water thru the door seals.
The mini is obvoiusly the perfect car for global warming. Another truley great piece of engineering Sir I. I am now seroiusly considering the Duck version of the mini for a project.

Edited by JOC, 18 November 2009 - 07:17 PM.