FZJ105 Petrol Land Cruiser vs Water. Your experience

[Barrabart]

G'day all,

I've owned my Petrol Cruiser for the last 5 years, I've never had the need to cross deep water so therefore really don't know how well Petrol Cruisers cope with full engine submersion....thus far the only water I've needed to cross were top of the tyres at deepest.. I've never bothered with getting a snorkle fitted though i'm thinking about doing that now, mainly just for higher air intake on dusty roads and a little bit of forced air intake (if it makes a differance?).

Anyway, what are your experiences with Petrol Cruisers (or i guess any petrol 4x4) with regard to taking the plunge.

My thoughts so far if i needed to cross deeper water would be tarp up the grill (water bra type set up) and have a snorkle. I reckon that would be a safe bet to see you with a good chance.

What's your experience or tips you can offer?

Regards,

Barrabart.

[Moto Mech]

When we first went up Cape York in 2003, my parent tagged along in their 80 Series petrol. The deepest crossing was Nolans Brook which came up to bonnet height. Vehicle never missed a beat. Was fitted with a snorkel but no water blind.
These engines use a distributer and coil where as the FZJ105 4.5's use coil packs for each cylinder and are ment to be even better in deep water crossing. Never tried mine yet but dont expect to. The coil packs are pretty much on top of the engine, plug leads are a snug snap on fit, alt is near top of engine and combind with a water blind and snorkel, you should be good to go to at least half way up the windscreen............
We have had our petrol 80 in water just over the wheels with no dramas. Infact the only time Ive ever had a problem with a Landcruiser petrol engine with water was pressure washing the engine bay and engine, it only run on 4 or 5 cylinders for a few minutes.

[GGV8Cruza]

One of the cruisers on the high country trip last month had a small problem with water on a coil pack, a quick stop and dry and all was good to go again

GG

[dazzler]

Anyway, what are your experiences with Petrol Cruisers (or i guess any petrol 4x4) with regard to taking the plunge.



Barrabart.

Hi Barrabart

I think its worth splitting the answer in two.  Is this a play toy or pride and joy?.  Water seriously stuffs vehicles and if you can avoid it avoid it like the plague. As a mechanic I saw a fair few people who think that seeing as its got a snorkel that the fording height becomes the top of the snorkel so happily drive through water that is 2 or 3 feet deep.  They forget that water gets into all manner of other areas including the door sills, rear quarters and doors.  Sills have dust in them that turns to mud inside a nice hot moist pocket.   Not to mention corrosion of electrical connections and alternators.

If its a play toy and your happy to spend money fixing it then a snorkel is great and treating it like a submarine is good fun - probably as much fun as you can have upright   .

But if its your pride and joy then fit a snorkel by all means but still be wary of water if its over the wheels and avoid it if you can.

Our 100series petrol was a playtoy and had no issues with water on the electrics when going through deepish water.

Wouldnt worry about the performance or 'cleaner air' stuff.  Some say it works, our fleet didnt really notice anything.

have fun

[Barrabart]

Hi Barrabart

Is this a play toy or pride and joy?.  Water seriously stuffs vehicles and if you can avoid it avoid it like the plague.

Couldn't agree more Dazzler, And to answer your question, my Cruiser is maybe not so much my pride and joy, however i do maintain it in a fashion to see it last as long as possible as a reliable family touring vehicle...... hence i only ever cross water when need be........  like i said i've never taken it deeper than wheels depth, so don't have any first hand experience of immediate results of submerging the engine bay................... hope i never have to really, but good to know that if NEED be, the engine should keep running to get me through............ though with water crossings that's just one issue sorted.  Thanks for the reply.

One of the cruisers on the high country trip last month had a small problem with water on a coil pack, a quick stop and dry and all was good to go again

GG

I always have a can of WD40 tucked in the toolbox when heading bush.......... funnily i've owned 3 x 4wds over the last 20yrs, they've all been petrols..... 2 x Hiluxes 1 x Cruiser...... Spent alot of time out in western Qld, so water wasn't much of a problem. 

When we first went up Cape York in 2003, my parent tagged along in their 80 Series petrol. The deepest crossing was Nolans Brook which came up to bonnet height. Vehicle never missed a beat. Was fitted with a snorkel but no water blind.
These engines use a distributer and coil where as the FZJ105 4.5's use coil packs for each cylinder and are ment to be even better in deep water crossing. Never tried mine yet but dont expect to. The coil packs are pretty much on top of the engine, plug leads are a snug snap on fit, alt is near top of engine and combind with a water blind and snorkel, you should be good to go to at least half way up the windscreen............
We have had our petrol 80 in water just over the wheels with no dramas. Infact the only time Ive ever had a problem with a Landcruiser petrol engine with water was pressure washing the engine bay and engine, it only run on 4 or 5 cylinders for a few minutes.

Thanks Moto Mech, some good info there.....sounds like Toyota have designed the engine electronics with with some real world use in mind.......... oh and yep, those high pressure blasters do sure know how to punch moisture into the tightest spots............ Thanks.

[griz]

Balfour Track 2011, FZJ 105, a car bra and a spray of lanolin and she didn't miss a beat..

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[Matto]

Hey Barrabart,

Agree with everything here. I don't have a cruiser, but the Pathy is a v6 petrol. I don't have a snorkel because I've never been into really deep water and haven't really needed it yet. The R50s breathe from right up the back of the inner guard, which is normally high and dry. That, and a can of WD40 are what I put my trust in.

About the only other water-diving tip I can give is to stop before diving in and let everything cool down. No real point for little creeks, but anything hub eight or deeper I usually stop for 5 mins to have a drink, let the brakes, diffs, etc all cool down a shade before diving in. But you're no doubt well aware of that trick.

That said, I've been tempted lately to fit a snorkel just as cheap insurance. As the others have noted, it's not foolproof, but it does give a good increase in security for the motor. If you do get one, if you have it fitted make sure they know it's to be fully sealed. I've heard too many horror stories of brand new Patrols and R51 Pathfinders that are running snorkels, but they're not sealed. The owners assume since they have a snorkel, and that it was professionally fitted, that it will be up to snuff, whereas many times it's not.

Good luck!
Matto