Drive through flood

[David He]

Hi I’m a new XC40 B4 FWD mild hybrid owner and actually a first time car owner so I don’t know much about cars.

I’ve driven through a short stretch of flood (about less than half a wheel deep, 10-20 meter long, driven through slowly). I read on the manual the car can go through water about 45cm deep. But I also read from various places that water can be sucked into differentials, axles and bearings due to the sudden drop of temperature. Also, I have no idea where the transmission gear box breather is (therefore its height).

When I popped into a Volvo service the other day I asked if I should be worried about water going into the gear box. I was only told the gear box is a sealed one and water going into it isn’t even a thing. But surely gear boxes do have breathers, no?

Maybe i am overthinking. Have you guys driven through flood and would you be concerned? Is there anything that needs to be checked? Many thanks !

[john.wigley]

That's more a large puddle than a small flood, David, and you did everything right. I don't think that you have anything to worry about and can accept the reassurance of the dealer that all is well.

Regards, John.

[canis]

Originally Posted by David He

But surely gear boxes do have breathers, no?

I don't think they do, do they? But if they did, modern legislation would require the vapours to be reburned, so the breather wouldln't be open to air, it would lead to a canister containing an activated charcoal "sponge" type affair for storage until driving conditions permit it to be drawn into the inlet manifold to be burned off in the engine. You're probably fine, relax.

Petrol tanks are the same, they don't vent to open air either nowadays, and it's why brimming the filler spout is a bad idea. Been that way for about twenty years at least.

Bearings would be my concern, and driveshaft gaters. Any splits in those would turn the grease into a useless slurry and wear the part very quickly. But even that's unlikely these days, since any split allowing ingres is an MOT failure so they're probably in good condition and watertight.

[Simmy]

watch a few vids of rufford ford and watch lots of bmws fail in the middle of the ford .because the electrically operated hand brake has come on leaving them stranded any kind of deep water should be avoided with newer cars

[David He]

Originally Posted by canis

I don't think they do, do they? But if they did, modern legislation would require the vapours to be reburned, so the breather wouldln't be open to air, it would lead to a canister containing an activated charcoal "sponge" type affair for storage until driving conditions permit it to be drawn into the inlet manifold to be burned off in the engine. You're probably fine, relax.

Petrol tanks are the same, they don't vent to open air either nowadays, and it's why brimming the filler spout is a bad idea. Been that way for about twenty years at least.

Bearings would be my concern, and driveshaft gaters. Any splits in those would turn the grease into a useless slurry and wear the part very quickly. But even that's unlikely these days, since any split allowing ingres is an MOT failure so they're probably in good condition and watertight.

Thank you very much. Although I can’t pretend to understand fully, but sounds like modern cars have this in consideration more or less and are a bit more robust. Thanks for the very detailed reply.