How much Water is too much for XC70?

Kobe · Sep 14th, 2008, 17:15

Last week we had very heavy rainful, flooding many streets and country roads. I had to pass through some very wet areas on my way home.

How deep would you drive your XC70 into water on a flooded road before you think the risk is too high?

Below the level of the chassis? to the fog lights? to just underneath the number plate?.. above the number plate?

Intrigued to know what Volvo would or would not recommend when driving in flooded conditions.. as my car failed at a relatively low water level. Resulting in me having to abandon the car and let nature take it's course with it.

Car now waiting for inspection.

Nunchukhamster · Sep 14th, 2008, 17:19

Well, for starters, the exhaust pipe has to remain clear of the water else it'll stall. From memory, the pipe on an XC70 isn't very high up, so, if your foglights at the front are in the water, I'm guessing your exhaust is to. Therefore, I wouldn't want water above the level of the bottom of the bodywork.

Alec Dawe · Sep 14th, 2008, 19:24

You can submerge the exchaust 'A LITTLE' provided you keep the revs up. The real killer is where is the air intake. If you get water down that, as well as playing havoc with the air flow meters etc, it will enter the cylinders, and hydraulic lock the engine.... which is a play for total disasted, water being incompressible.
Going through shallow water too fast can creat a bow wave that will wash into the air intake as well, so its water level WELL below air intake, and take great care

Chaddie · Sep 14th, 2008, 19:47

QUOTE:-

POSTSCRIPT: Some other media outlets have suggested the XC70s on the North Queensland launch drive “drowned” attempting a water crossing at their stated wading depth of 300mm. Caradvice was there at the crossing and due to a rising tide the water depth was considerably more than 300mm, more like 400mm. The real story is that when the XC70s were put through a water crossing that because of unforeseen circumstances exceed their design limits, they got through. The cars that stalled in the water were able to restart and drive out - their engines did not ingest water and they did not “drown”, even when pushed beyond their design limits.

Anthony Crawford

http://www.caradvice.com.au/8502/200...o-xc70-review/

Kobe · Sep 14th, 2008, 20:59

that's a good link.. my car stopped when doing something like that but over a much shorter distance to cross.. pretty much every warning light the car has came on and that was game over..

what surprised me was to see on tv the same day, other cars with water almost cresting the bonnets and driving through without problems..

Kobe · Sep 15th, 2008, 20:06

I got the news today that my watery adventure has turned my XC70 into a CATD loss. Mixed feelings about losing the car, on some days I loved it, on other days it didn't deliver enough considering how much it was costing to own.

Anyway, this is a great forum - but unfortunately that won't be enough for me to try another Volvo.

Many thanks, Kobe.

Sep 14th, 2008, 17:15	#1
Kobe Junior Member Last Online: Oct 5th, 2008 20:48 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kidderminster	How much Water is too much for XC70? Last week we had very heavy rainful, flooding many streets and country roads. I had to pass through some very wet areas on my way home. How deep would you drive your XC70 into water on a flooded road before you think the risk is too high? Below the level of the chassis? to the fog lights? to just underneath the number plate?.. above the number plate? Intrigued to know what Volvo would or would not recommend when driving in flooded conditions.. as my car failed at a relatively low water level. Resulting in me having to abandon the car and let nature take it's course with it. Car now waiting for inspection. __________________ my first Volvo though probably my last. XC70 D5 SE Sport (MY2008)

Sep 14th, 2008, 17:19	#2
Nunchukhamster Gone. Last Online: Aug 4th, 2009 09:14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Zarg	Well, for starters, the exhaust pipe has to remain clear of the water else it'll stall. From memory, the pipe on an XC70 isn't very high up, so, if your foglights at the front are in the water, I'm guessing your exhaust is to. Therefore, I wouldn't want water above the level of the bottom of the bodywork. __________________ Bored of the idiots, the "victims" and the spammers who have taken over this forum.

Sep 14th, 2008, 19:24	#3
Alec Dawe Former Support Team Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 11:26 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nr Norwich	You can submerge the exchaust 'A LITTLE' provided you keep the revs up. The real killer is where is the air intake. If you get water down that, as well as playing havoc with the air flow meters etc, it will enter the cylinders, and hydraulic lock the engine.... which is a play for total disasted, water being incompressible. Going through shallow water too fast can creat a bow wave that will wash into the air intake as well, so its water level WELL below air intake, and take great care __________________ Alec. (My other car is a WD 2-10-0)

Sep 14th, 2008, 19:47	#4
Chaddie Ex Serial Volvo Buyer Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2023 04:17 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire View Photos By: Chaddie	*QUOTE:-* POSTSCRIPT: Some other media outlets have suggested the XC70s on the North Queensland launch drive “drowned” attempting a water crossing at their stated wading depth of 300mm. Caradvice was there at the crossing and due to a rising tide the water depth was considerably more than 300mm, more like 400mm. The real story is that when the XC70s were put through a water crossing that because of unforeseen circumstances exceed their design limits, they got through. The cars that stalled in the water were able to restart and drive out - their engines did not ingest water and they did not “drown”, even when pushed beyond their design limits. Anthony Crawford http://www.caradvice.com.au/8502/200...o-xc70-review/ __________________ XC70 SE Lux D5 (215bhp) Geartronic (2012MY) Drivers Pack, Security Pack, Winter Pack, Family Pack, Dark Tint Glass, Active 4C, Front & Rear Cameras, DAB Radio, Spoiler & Side Scuff Plates.

Sep 14th, 2008, 20:59	#5
Kobe Junior Member Last Online: Oct 5th, 2008 20:48 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kidderminster	that's a good link.. my car stopped when doing something like that but over a much shorter distance to cross.. pretty much every warning light the car has came on and that was game over.. what surprised me was to see on tv the same day, other cars with water almost cresting the bonnets and driving through without problems.. __________________ my first Volvo though probably my last. XC70 D5 SE Sport (MY2008)

Sep 15th, 2008, 20:06	#6
Kobe Junior Member Last Online: Oct 5th, 2008 20:48 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kidderminster	I got the news today that my watery adventure has turned my XC70 into a CATD loss. Mixed feelings about losing the car, on some days I loved it, on other days it didn't deliver enough considering how much it was costing to own. Anyway, this is a great forum - but unfortunately that won't be enough for me to try another Volvo. Many thanks, Kobe. __________________ my first Volvo though probably my last. XC70 D5 SE Sport (MY2008)

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