Jeep fell through ice

Eric554 · 11-23-2009, 10:00 PM

Well not totally. I was off roading a little bit today and i drove onto what I thought was a just a snow covered camp site.. turns out it wasn't haha. It was a mud pit that was frozen over and covered in snow.. and i fell through. the ice was about 4 inches thick and the water about a 6-8 inches deep. I ended up high centering on ice, mud, and what ever else was down there.. I pulled out my tow strap out and had it hooked up to my friends Xterra, only to have the strap snap. Then after waiting over an hour for my dad to drive up in his truck, he drove too close to my Jeep, and the front of his truck fell through the ice... By now my day just wasn't going so well. We didn't end up getting it out before dark, and no tow truck company was okay with going up a simple dirt trail after dark.. My tail pipe was submerged so I was forced to leave it running all night. Im hoping it doesn't run out of gas before tomorrow. Anyway, my question is, after being submerged up to just below the door sills, what fluids will i have to replace/check. The Jeep isn't sitting level in the water so its only really the rear thats under water. I'll post pics when I can.

**wushaw** · 11-23-2009, 10:04 PM

There is no reason to let it run all night except for the ice log in the pipe in the morning.
The oil in the diffs will need to be changed as soon as you can, water will go straight to the bearings and ruin them quickly.

never monday · 11-23-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wushaw

There is no reason to let it run all night except for the ice log in the pipe in the morning.
The oil in the diffs will need to be changed as soon as you can, water will go straight to the bearings and ruin them quickly.

only if the vent lines are poorly attached.

Eric554 · 11-23-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wushaw

There is no reason to let it run all night except for the ice log in the pipe in the morning.
The oil in the diffs will need to be changed as soon as you can, water will go straight to the bearings and ruin them quickly.

I was under the impression that i would ruin the pipe/ muffler if water got inside. And how would i be able to start the jeep if the pipe was frozen shut? Ok I was thinking the diffs. Anything else?

diablo_331 · 11-23-2009, 10:12 PM

anyone happen to know the temp at which the diff fluids would freeze?Im sure it would have to be REALLY cold?

**Imped** · 11-23-2009, 10:14 PM

I'd call up some friends with trucks/jeeps now and get a few of them out there. Get them all to hook a winch or strap up to a tow point and gently pull. And there's no point in leaving it running. I would check the rear diff fluid but it will probably be fine.

03rubiconMG · 11-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo_331

anyone happen to know the temp at which the diff fluids would freeze?Im sure it would have to be REALLY cold?

i read -10F of a wikipedia type site, that seems right, diesal freezes around 0F

if the engine **** off and the exhaust was allowed to fill with water and it froze it would split the exhaust piping in spots destroying it.

i would never leave a vehicle out like that though, definately a good lesson to have good recovery gear.

and as far as fluids go its possible for some water to leak in the ends of the axles if all the seals arent perfect so you might want to change them just for the hell of it. it has been sitting for a while.

Eric554 · 11-23-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imped4now

I'd call up some friends with trucks/jeeps now and get a few of them out there. Get them all to hook a winch or strap up to a tow point and gently pull. And there's no point in leaving it running. I would check the rear diff fluid but it will probably be fine.

I don't know anyone that could pull out a crew cab f-250 haha. I don't know anyone that has a winch.. And I was about to buy one like a week ago. Karma sucks.

**Unii** · 11-23-2009, 10:28 PM

so your at home while your jeep is in the woods, running?

**WhiteOut** · 11-23-2009, 10:29 PM

^Sounds like it it

**Imped** · 11-23-2009, 10:29 PM

I'm even more amazed that you live in CO and don't know anyone with a winch.

Eric554 · 11-23-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

i read -10F of a wikipedia type site, that seems right, diesal freezes around 0F

if the engine **** off and the exhaust was allowed to fill with water and it froze it would split the exhaust piping in spots destroying it.

i would never leave a vehicle out like that though, definately a good lesson to have good recovery gear.

and as far as fluids go its possible for some water to leak in the ends of the axles if all the seals arent perfect so you might want to change them just for the hell of it. it has been sitting for a while.

Its supposed to be around 10F up there tonight so i think im fine. I was thinking the exhaust might get ruined.. Ya I didn't really have a choice about leaving it, my dad wanted to be heading home, and its not like it could go anywhere, if someone could get one of the vehicles out, I'd be very supprised. A winch is now on my birthday list haha. How do you change the seals out? The diff fluid should be easy.