Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Short Version: The long story can only be told around a campfire. We were returning from a trip to the wild-side Richtersveld along the West Coast, and after not seeing much water, were loving the trek along the coastline. We were 5 Cruisers and 1 Patrol – a boys trip.



We spent a pleasant evening in the Hondehokke Chalets (Hondeklipbaai).



The next day we headed south to Spoegrivier and after looking at the caves, I headed the convoy to explore and came across this innocent looking water crossing. Now I need to point out 3 NB things:

• Firstly, we hadn’t done any crossings on our ‘dry’ trip, so this was a must.
  Secondly, I was the only vehicle without a snorkel.
  Thirdly, why walk such a timid looking stream?

Now, the perception that the grass on the middelmannetjie were growing through the water and hence, was not that deep, was false. The grass was actually long reeds. Right, we edged in doing the ‘wake thing ‘ when suddenly the nose dropped and left hand side of the vehicle dipped into a hole and the water came washing over the bonnet, only for an instant, but long enough. We actually almost cruised out, but then the engine spluttered and died.

Worried? :(



I guess the only good thing I did was not to attempt to restart and my mates recovered (winched) me backwards and out.



There ‘we’ (Mallie and Keith) stripped off the top Tupperware and intake manifold and removed the plugs and ended up pumping many litres of water out of the engine (using starter motor) – left it in the sun for a few hours and then put everything back together again. Ah, AND during this time we dried out all wet pipes and left the soaked air filter in the sun. The engine started with the second turn of the ignition and hasn’t skipped a beat since then (20 000km).

Many lessons learnt!!!

Not walking the obstacle has caused the death of many a vehicle. Not everyone is that lucky!

eish lucky...

Did it splutter and die because your electrics got wet or from sucking in water?

I think I recognise that spot. On the other side the road eventually leads you onto the beach.

id it splutter and die because your electrics got wet or from sucking in water?

The engine spluttered and died because it sucked in copious amounts of water into the engine as opposed to air
For half a day one of the dash gauges stayed on, which I assume was due to electrics being wet, but the light eventually went off.

Stories like these make one reconsider the value of a snorkel. It is so easy to think a water obstacle is shallow and next thing you know

The value of a snorkel is beyond measure. Only one deep gulley and you're gone, so is your holiday and your wife might even wish a very unpleasant disease on you for ruining HER 4x4 . It can also get very expensive. I've been to the Olifants river challenge this weekend and experienced it first hand. One part of the river was DEEP. 60% of the vehicles trying to cross, got stuck and some engines took on water, others' electronics got wet, and it ended up being a mass rescue effort. A Land Cruiser pick up took up the challenge and I used my Patrol as an anchor, we took out 5 4x4 in a row. Then i crossed back to recover a stuck Ford bakkie. I must say I was very impressed with my Ironman 12000pd winch. So, water + electronics = . Keep it dry and fit a snorkel.

I am convinced, only problem is that the snorkel must fight other enhancements for first place. In the mean time I have learned to walk water obstacles where possible and if not possible find a detour. Don't like it very much though