HOW TO SURVIVE HITTING FLOOD WATER Save your car after hitting water

Seen all those cars fizzling out in Rufford Ford - left smoking and rattling all the way to the scrappy? Well, even if you fizzle out right in the middle, as long as you make the correct decision you have a great chance of saving your pride and joy. This applies any situation where you hit standing water such as a flood or river and your car stalls
No cars were damaged in the making of this video!
This is recorded at my local ford at Headley Mill in Hampshire
#RuffordFord, #restoration,

[@dougquaid4745]

Another fantastic video with sound advice! Thanks for going to all the effort with the graphics!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

They were good fun, I've even done a new thumbnail! Thanks!

[@Law_Abiding_Citizen_ok]

Best not go into the water in the first place, a couple of miles/minutes is the detour around Rufford Ford and I guess a lot of people wished they would have taken it. In an advanced driving course years ago advice is not to go over tyre depth through unknown water.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, I agree. This video was done because of what happened to my daughter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4OynIiHbZaehqc

[@iain4853]

I’m not going through that in my 330ci timm. If I had to do a 100 mile detour, then so be it 😃

[@bobbyedal2737]

Well said tim, great advice. I'm amazed by the amount of driver's who flood their engines and then immediately try to restart their car. Then still face the embarrassment of tow out of the water along with a hefty bill .

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Bobby!

[@GreenShogun]

I've watched a few of those videos and you're spot on! The damage is usually done upon restarts and the driver revving it back up

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, it's heart-breaking seeing some of the mistakes made!

[@aramos811]

Wow Timm it rains there in the UK very heavily. Thanks for the good advice to save our precious vehicles.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure! Four inches of rain in November....

[@alvintobe5566]

Hi Timm this is Alvin your number one fan. I didn't know that BMW made a 650 boat. 🤣🤣🤣 thank you for this video, great information. 👍🏾

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

ALVIN!! Great to hear from you, hope you and your family are good my friend!

[@alvintobe5566]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Have a safe and happy holidays, to you and your family. Blessings my friend.

[@kuroicyberpunkninjaprince6818]

Dude you are awesome!!!Graphics and all. I was really hoping you didn’t put the 650 in the water like that. Lol.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks 👍 No, I didn't go anywhere near the water!

[@neilpike4358]

Great information and Graphics Timm keep them coming!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, will do!

[@adriansmith6530]

I had an Austin Cambridge very many years ago. It had a 1622cc 4 cylinder engine of cast iron and a single SU carb. It survived a few fords (and Fords...lol) Only the Westminster had a straight six (3litre) and twin SUs. I now have a 1959 Humber Super-Snipe. (Straight six 3 litre single Zenith downdraught carb). It would probably deal with the odd ford or two but I tend to play safe in my dotage.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That was it - a Westminster! Thanks for reminding me, it's been a while - but you are obviously keeping up the tradition!

[@davemc162]

Cheers! Great guidance…

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure Dave!

[@derekjohnson3445]

Very useful video and makes a lot of sense the way you explained it. 50 years ago I was working in a garage and my boss's daughter drove his Austin 3 litre land grab into a flood and exploded the engine. You could have mentioned that for automatics that you should put them in neutral before removing the key, although with modern DSG gearboxes the parking brake is automatically applied anyway.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, and good point, should have put it in neutral!

[@robertthrossell4321]

Brilliant video mate thanks 👍

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure!

[@Rabscuttle3]

Good advice, thanks!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure!

[@hackdaniels7253]

I'm not as old as you, but I still have the memory of my dad's old Mark 1 Cortina going through floods which seemed to be at least a couple of feet deep with no ill effects (I don't even really remember the water coming in through the many rust holes in the floor!). In the intervening years I've barely considered how newer car designs would make this feat impossible, so it's probably mainly luck which has preventing me from killing any cars in this way since... I mean, I also have the sense not to try driving through flooded fords anyway, but...

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

They were a bit more durable in those days!

[@harpreetmudhar4594]

Hey Tim great video but a little too late for me and my 2015 640D Gran Coupe. 😢 I have the option to buy it back from the insurance company and I am very tempted. I was driving around 10mph when the engine cut out. Tried turning it over but the car said no! Ran a diagnostics on it and there was an issue with glow plug in cylinder 6. Do you think it’s worth my buying back and giving it a go or should I say bye to it!?

[@spencerhulme1203]

I remember watching the video in relation to your Daughters BMW and agreed what an idiotic man to do that. Did she get compensation i hope so, but thank you for time taken to show us what to do professionally. Give us your keys mate - no thanks just pull me out!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

No compensation, the recovery driver said it was hydro-locked when he got there, still she prefers her latest BMW anyway!

[@markfoley4176]

WOW WOULD FRIGHTEN ME TO DEATH , Ineed to ask a question of you if that's ok ,i have a 2008 650i i have had 3 years and love it , may i ask you tim how do a make the inner inside angel eyes white the outer head lights i have leds in but the inside eyes are still yellowish when switch on ???? help

[@onkelmicke9670]

Good advice

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

My pleasure as usual!

[@jiteshjagatia9027]

Interesting, great vid.. Do you think the e38 straight 6 is more forgiving?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! It doesn't matter which engine you have, it will still go bang if water gets in!

[@jaggass]

One driver who went through Rufford Ford when it flooded didn't start the engine straight away when it stalled was pushed out. He later jacked up the car at the front, took a couple of spark plugs out and floored it to get all of the water out. You do less damage to an older car because they're more simple and the air box and filter is much higher up.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

He had the best plan - but it is so easy to reach for the key when you are stuck in the middle!

[@jaggass]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationHe made the right decision not to. Many think a car will start up again but it won't as many drivers don't know that engines can't compress water.

[@hackdaniels7253]

@@jaggass They don't even realise that the water is in there (IMO)... they likely assume, like I might have, that it was the electrics getting wet which stopped the motor running (which would have been the case in the past).

[@jaggass]

@@hackdaniels7253 He tried crossing it an a MK6 Escort but didn't start it up after it conked out which alt of drivers don't do. Back in the day you had less chance of hydrolocking the engine as the airfilter was in a sensible place and the electrics would go 1st when trying to go through flood water. Richard Hammond's Opel Kadett A is a good example. He got it going the next day.

[@voodoocars2134]

Top special effects.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, and they were good fun to do!

[@graemekey819]

Very good information...... What would you do with a diesel engine? Remove glow plugs or injectors?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, whichever is the easier, either will get the water out

[@leenevin8451]

would you remove glow plugs on a diesel? wouldnt that be difficult?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Either the glow plugs or the injectors, neither particularly easy to get out!

[@hackdaniels7253]

Of course, the *other* thing we were all told about driving in water, is that 'you have to create a bow wave'... not such useful advice. How fast do you have to go? Everyone has a radically different idea, as you can see when you watch the videos!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

It's all down to luck - and not going there in the first place!

[@jaysimpson6857]

Can someone explain to me why the 1 series BMW engine was seemingly deliberately destroyed? I am genuinely confused by this.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

It is so annoying - if the recovery driver had just left it alone it would still be alive today!

[@jaysimpson6857]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation But wasn’t it you sat in the car revving the engine Tim? Certainly looked like and sounded like you, I’m more confused than ever now.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Don't worry, the video was taken days after the car had been written-off!

[@brentonrobinson8235]

Great intro

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, that was good fun!

[@Audrius267]

Hello Tim?how would u use trickle charge on you're 840ci ?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I do! I use an MXS5.0 from Ctek, I have it permanently connected to the left-hand battery and just bung an extension lead in there when I need to charge: amzn.to/3UQYlfO

[@Audrius267]

@Timm's BMW Repairs and Information which battery you use for charging or it doesn't matter?u can use left or right ?

[@jasonk7072]

Just curious what you would do to purge the water from a flooded diesel post-swim?

[@georgejohnson7591]

Take the injectors out.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, that's the best plan....

[@talm5154]

Funny enough I ran my 08, e64 into a rather large puddle a few months ago and killed one of my headlights (supposedly). Non-rock pitted one and lower bezzles are nice though!

[@jonathanevans9257]

Great info and fun, addicted to Rufford Ford vids sadly watching all those scrap engines and the 000's in uninsured damage and lost jobs for the van drivers who write off the van and its contents. Most impressive car was the Tesla , totally covered in water and totally waterproof motors and batteries flew thro the flood. Why don't council close the road?

[@BushcraftBoy]

They just have. Permanently. Police got permission today.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks Jonathan! Yes, closed now, it is heart-breaking when I hear the death rattle after hearing my daughter's 118i make exactly the same noise. That is why I wanted to make the video, so many of those cars could have survived if they just pushed them out and dried them out!

[@johnwalker8990]

Are you close to Rufford Ford? I thought you were from down south London way.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

No, Hampshire, I recorded at Headley Mill

[@antiochiaadtaurum3786]

Cars should almost have a water sensor in the air intake system that disables the starter if there's water present

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Good plan!

[@georgejohnson7591]

Nah, cars should have a sensor to prevent starting when an idiot owner is detected.

[@hackdaniels7253]

@@georgejohnson7591 An awful lot of people would have to start walking.

[@bargla]

Best way to pass a ford is to turn around. Do extra 10miles but do not cross it. Or. If you really really really have to, and you are NOT Land Rover Defender, go like a turtle 1 km/h speed.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, I agree. This video was done because of what happened to my daughter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4OynIiHbZaehqc

[@steviem2224]

I lost a 635 because of flooding it probably wasn’t the engine but all the electrics under the seats the battery gearbox everything lost

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Yes, if the water gets in the doors it's probably dead!

[@georgejohnson7591]

It depends on the sequence of events. If you get clank clank silence, the engine is toast. If you get silence before the clank clank, then yes, you may get away with it if you do as you have advised.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Very true, the 'clank clank' is usually reserved to cars where they are giving it some seious welly!

[@richardburns5925]

I swear I thought he was Tiff Needell at first!

[@bargla]

Tiff Needell woud do the ford with scandinavian flick!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

He looks just like me......

[@1000sofusernames]

90 times out of 100 most of the drivers I've seen in the ford are brain dead to start with. Hydro-locking is just the icing on the cake.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Can't say fairer than that!

[@braddyb.8144]

Rufford ford is now closed indefinitely

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks goodness for that!

[@alioral1358]

Noone knows this details . Most of repair man try to start the engine. Then hydroblock happens. Idiots team always on board in rainy days. Beware of them

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks! Yes, the RAC man killed my daughter's car!

[@alioral1358]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation I know, 1 series blue . It was a nice car.

[@seasidegalaxystreet]

No classic BMW should be going in any water. :)

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

And none did, all special effects!

[@temparalflux914]

Shame the Fords shut by the cops for the foreseeable future.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The farmer's are going to be miffed!

[@markmiller5577]

Thank god it's being closed

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The local recovery teams are going to be a bit fed up!

[@judithward8310]

They won't be going through Rufford Ford now. Unless they want to ram a police vehicle

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Sense at last!

[@Radhatter1]

Or get an EV

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

True enough, they get through everywhere!