I've been foolish...

[Benyon]

As the title says

Arrived at Shell Island last weekend half hour after the causeway was covered and seeing other cars go through I thought my van is higher than them so I'll go for it:

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(just signed upto photobucket so hope this works)

Made it through after wishing I hadn't tried - thought it was 6 inches deep at the most, not 12-18!!

Anyway once through the otherside I realised the water had got in places I wish it hadn't but dried the interior out as best I could. Over the weekend the breaks seized and the started motor stopped working (probably also seized). Before the RAC got there the starter motor decided to start working and after stopping and starting several times I was happy there was no lasting fault so called off the RAC man. Drove home (4 hours) in the rain and was happy that this would wash off the salty water. Took her out for a drive last night to make sure everything was still working and had the same problems as last Sunday, breaks seized slightly and starter motor didn't kick in straight away, ignition lights come on and solenoid clicks but until I've tried 5 or 6 times the starter won't turn. Have never had a problem with the battery but haven't checked it so am thinking is it possible that water has got into the starter and everytime it sits it seizes?

I have sprayed the area with WD40, is it easy to take the starter motor off and see if there is any water present?

 

[Benyon]

Thats supposed to be a video not an image:



This work?

 

[ronmidg]

could it be salt residue and it gets damp when standing so not getting full volts on first attempt. I would try cleaning battery connections/cables/starter terminals first.

advice used to be to keep starter bendix dry and clean, if they get greasy then clutch dust gums up the works and they stick, maybe some salt in there, or salt corrosion? I think I would have a look if it does not sort itself out over a couple of weeks.

assume brakes is handbrake, is the mechanism sticking or the shoes? probably should regrease everything including cables, would expect the shoes to sort themselves out though. But I suppose could be salt residue combined with humidity causing corrosion, probably better to have drums off and clean too. Would the salt water have got to the pistons? I guess depends how good/bad your rubber boot things on the pistons are. If they carry on sticking I would lift the boots when you have the drums off and lube with brake fluid in there.

How good is the rubber end on your clutch cable? you will likely have salt water in the guide tube too.

 

[Guest]

it looks like a big boat in that film :shock:

 

[Benyon]

If it wasn't for that Freelander in front of us I'm not sure we'd have made it!!

It's just the break shoes that stick, once they're free there's no rubbing or lack of breaking so prob salt/corrosion sticking them on.

 

[Guest]

if you can get away with it park it flat and put it in gear, dont ingage the handbrake this is assuming you have discs at the front. I have to do this every winter else its a fight and a cut up drive next spring.

it might let it dry without binding if its just the Pads binding, and at least you will know either way or eliminate it as the problem

 

[Clarkson46]

I suspect that what you have done is filled the handbrake conduits with water which is now rusting nicely. It also has possibly got into the brake drums and causing problems there. I would recommend pulling the drums off and having a look and remove the hand brake cables and check their condition. If the cables are still serviceable then refit with plenty of grease in the conduits. Had a Scirocco once that had suffered similar treatment and because the PO had done nothing about it, the result was new handbrake cables, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, wheel bearings, drums etc, etc.

 

[ant]

just the thought of my eb in all that salt makes me scared!!!

 

[Benyon]

 

[NickJ]

It looked like an adventure though 8) :lol:

 

[Grazy]

water would be up to my knees if i drove through that :shock:

 

[Trikky2]

If it were fresh water I wouldnt worry, I have waded my bay through rivers that came up onto the headlights :lol: but that salt water is bad news.

The salt water will cause corrosion of exposed steel, alloy and electrical connections.

It would be worthwhile to spend time and effort thoroughly cleaning and hosing everywhere the salt water may have reached to avoid future problems IMO.