DRIVING THROUGH WATER

NZ Truth, Issue 1182, 26 July 1928, Page 15

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

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HOW : many readers have experienced that uncanny sensation, when, after driving along some country roadway they make a sharp turn, the road suddenly dips, there is a huge splash, and water is thrown up m all directions! < The alarmed driver stops the car to see what has happened — leaving the engine running at its normal rate — but ere he has time to size up the situation, he hears a few feeble impulses, the exhaust noise ceases, and the engine has stopped. By this time the unhappy ' motorist finds himself up to his knees m. water, and he usually discovers that he cannot start the engine. In an effort to prevent such experiences, "N.Z. Truth" offers various suggestions that will facilitate driving over submerged roads — provided that the base is- not formed of a slippery substance. From the outset, it must be realized that the enormous back pressure of water entering the exhaust pipe and silencer is sufficient to stop the engine, especially when it is running slowly. For this reason, it is advisable to prepare the car thoroughly when driving through flooded areas is unavoidable. For the cost of a few shillings and half an hour's, work or so, it is possible on most cars to extend the exhaust pipe m an upward direction, say, halfway up the body. A length of inexpensive steel piping bf suitable diameter can be coupled to the extremity of the normal exhaust pipe. by. a, short length of flexible metallic tublngr. i The various sections of piping should be clamped firmly together and bound over with asbestos string or adhesive tape, m order to prevent the Ingress of water. A somewhat similar arrangement

jean often be profitably adopted for the i carburettor air intake. Where this consists of a single opening, a length: of. flexible tubing can be fltted, and carried right up to the top of the boiinet. A liberal application of grease round the throttle controls, etc., will tend to prevent water from entering at those points. In cases where the car's ignition is provided through . a magneto, this will probably be quite waterproof, but it is as well to make certain by covering with water-, proof material or wrapping carefully with a piece of material that has been saturated with grease or oil. Waterproof covers for the sparking plugs should be fitted, and m this way quite deep water can be traversed without stopping the engine. If convenient, the fan drive should be disconnected,' because, if allowed to continue running, the fan will churn the water and tend to splash the aqua pura just where it is not required. It is a good idea to secure a bag or a piece; of waterproof sheeting over the front of the radiator. . . Where a tray or undershield is fitted, water is largely prevented from reaching the engine, . and it is possible to. drive faster than would otherwise be 1 I desirable. It is not only on account of the risk of splashing that motorists should drive carefully through water. There are places where inundations are frequent because the ground is lpwrlying. y ..-',. Many 'such spots are marked by a small footbridge, which, can be . used to! advantage m flood time, if one of the car's occupants crosses by the bridge and points out to the driver! the best way to proceed through the | •water. • . ]