Drowning my Grenadier (a sorry, soggy saga)

[Tinerfeño]

The engine could have been choked out, less then hydro locked. But assuming you were not at full throttle its possible to not have any damage.

Petrol engine maybe, but compression ratio of diesel engine does not allow practically any water.

 

[MattA]

I have been on a trip where a 3l diesel Patrol drowned in a massive bog hole, he had an air filter and turbo full of water when we dragged him out after the car just stopped. The water was over 1 m deep and deep and well over his bonnet, pulled the glow plugs out, drained the air box, pulled the turbo off and literally drained a good up of muddy water from it. Turned it over for about 3 minutes to squirt all water out the glow plug holes , put it all back together and it fired up.
It can be saved on a odd occasion

 

[lightning]

Yep, if you are lucky. l hope the O/P doesn't need a new engine.

 

[LRNAD90]

For what it is worth, Scott Brady (Expedition Overland) discussed in one of his podcasts removing a Grenadier with a dead battery from a shipping container. He confirmed (as noted earlier in this thread) you can move the transfer case shifter between H and L positions to achieve a neutral condition and rolled it out of the container.

So how deep was it? It certainly doesn't look that deep. I was never a fan of the side intake, can only say it is really disappointing to hear that is all it took to take down your Grenadier. IMO, it should take water over the hood level to stop these trucks (particularly diesels). If that is all it takes to get water into the intake, it is a poor design at best.

I would think engineers could design it (particularly with a side intake) so there is a rather deep draining 'reservoir' that would have to fill before air taken from the top could make it to the engine intake. Add a floating 'door' to close off the intake and stall the engine, but not allow it to ingest water.

Really disappointing to hear, and sorry you have to go through this..

Rather Infamous area that floods, this one was at three ft or so..

Many Land Rovers make it through without issue..

 

[landmannnn]

I thought this post a year ago is worth reading

As mentioned earlier this is not a snorkel but a Raised Air Intake mainly for dusty conditions (Standard Air Intake is close to the front wheel). Because of the design of the Air Intake system inside of the Fender you would need to go for a long distance at 1000mm height of water to start to get water ingress in the Engine , the vehicle has a reccommended Wading depth of 800mm . I am sure the aftermarket will find a solution and produce a Snorkel, alternatively you could add further fixings to the RAI/Fender to create something more robust and seal all the entry points using some kind of flexible sealant. A full blown Snorkel was not a business case for Ineos at the time and it was decided to focus on a RAI . How do I know.............I am the Lead Engineer for Exterior inside Ineos and this is my design.

 

[nuclearmonkey]

For what it is worth, Scott Brady (Expedition Overland) discussed in one of his podcasts removing a Grenadier with a dead battery from a shipping container. He confirmed (as noted earlier in this thread) you can move the transfer case shifter between H and L positions to achieve a neutral condition and rolled it out of the container.

So how deep was it? It certainly doesn't look that deep. I was never a fan of the side intake, can only say it is really disappointing to hear that is all it took to take down your Grenadier. IMO, it should take water over the hood level to stop these trucks (particularly diesels). If that is all it takes to get water into the intake, it is a poor design at best.

I would think engineers could design it (particularly with a side intake) so there is a rather deep draining 'reservoir' that would have to fill before air taken from the top could make it to the engine intake. Add a floating 'door' to close off the intake and stall the engine, but not allow it to ingest water.

Really disappointing to hear, and sorry you have to go through this..

Rather Infamous area that floods, this one was at three ft or so..

Many Land Rovers make it through without issue..

That looked a little dicey for the blue 90 sans snorkel…

 

[Jeremy996]

Rufford Ford is a well known vehicle killer; surprising as the depth is well signposted.

As for @landmannnn's post and the quote from @Dudlington, I would be astonished if I was ever as deep as 1m, although I would concede that the water flow from the side could/would make a difference.

 

[AndrewW]

Three questions come to mind...
How deep WAS the water? OK, no tape measure, but wheel-top, over wing, or over bonnet?
How fast were you going? I'm guessing not fast - physics wouldn't allow it.
Had you selected centre-lock, and wading mode?
I have heard of a dealer crossing the Dee at 1000mm*** deep with no problem; hence my puzzlement.
I hope it all works out, good ole NFU!

***and in an earlier life fellow Disco3 Club members wading unprepared D3s at bonnet level (with the approved bow-wave).
it remains a bit concerning...

 

[Jeremy996]

Three questions come to mind...
How deep WAS the water? OK, no tape measure, but wheel-top, over wing, or over bonnet?
How fast were you going? I'm guessing not fast - physics wouldn't allow it.
Had you selected centre-lock, and wading mode?
I have heard of a dealer crossing the Dee at 1000mm*** deep with no problem; hence my puzzlement.
I hope it all works out, good ole NFU!

***and in an earlier life fellow Disco3 Club members wading unprepared D3s at bonnet level (with the approved bow-wave).
it remains a bit concerning...

1. This is shortly after the engine stopped. It never came over the wings; but there is turbulent flow right to left and a significant fall from right to left.
2. 3-4mph - I'm not a maniac.
3. No, it's a metalled road and I am about 6" from the nearside edge of the tarmac. This is my usual commute to work, so the road is familiar and I am well positioned on the carriageway.

If Grenadiers have been successfully dunked and driven in 1m of water without ill effect, then I shall feel hard-done-by rather than just dumb.

 

[DaveB]

Rufford Ford is a well known vehicle killer; surprising as the depth is well signposted.

As for @landmannnn's post and the quote from @Dudlington, I would be astonished if I was ever as deep as 1m, although I would concede that the water flow from the side could/would make a difference.

I like watching the Rufford Ford video's
Seems nearly always they go in way too fast.
Even real 4WDS seem to be driven by idiots often.
Vans and SUV video's are the best ones.
You have to love it when someone in a BMW or Mercedes SUV thinks they have purchased a real $wd.
Or someone in a new Landrover, which has excellent wading depth, hits the water at 60 kmh and rips off the bumper.

 

[samnt650]

That’s the older version of the box. The current version doesn't have that feature.

I can confirm this lever is on the B58 (Petrol) ZF transmission

 

[Clark Kent]

I can confirm this lever is on the B58 (Petrol) ZF transmission

Thank you. I hadn't looped back to that topic yet. The 8HP76 in the diesel Grenadier has it also.

 

[Jeremy996]

My patience is really being tried at the moment; vehicle damaged 06/01/2025, progress to date, zero!

Vehicle was recovered from the roadside on the 7th January and taken to storage and anticipated inspection by Synetiq Mechanical Solutions, who decided to pass on the job as they were unfamiliar with the vehicle and it was under warranty. So far, so as expected.

NFU Mutual's claims engineer gave me details of the anticipated costs and his, (over-optimistic), assessment of time at 1 month to repair. Then they struggled finding someone to work on it, so I suggested Chandlers of Belton, the suppling dealer. Chandlers are busy and booked a slot for initial assessment for the 25/02/2025. NFU arrange with Synetiq to deliver the vehicle on the 24/02/2025.

It never arrived. It has missed its slot and it might be some time before Chandlers have the workshop space. NFU were apologetic, but are powerless until the vehicle is delivered. Apparently the issue has been escalated with Synetiq, but until I see it in Chandlers compound, I am going to have trust issues.

Not a good day.

 

[rovie]

My patience is really being tried at the moment; vehicle damaged 06/01/2025, progress to date, zero!

Vehicle was recovered from the roadside on the 7th January and taken to storage and anticipated inspection by Synetiq Mechanical Solutions, who decided to pass on the job as they were unfamiliar with the vehicle and it was under warranty. So far, so as expected.

NFU Mutual's claims engineer gave me details of the anticipated costs and his, (over-optimistic), assessment of time at 1 month to repair. Then they struggled finding someone to work on it, so I suggested Chandlers of Belton, the suppling dealer. Chandlers are busy and booked a slot for initial assessment for the 25/02/2025. NFU arrange with Synetiq to deliver the vehicle on the 24/02/2025.

It never arrived. It has missed its slot and it might be some time before Chandlers have the workshop space. NFU were apologetic, but are powerless until the vehicle is delivered. Apparently the issue has been escalated with Synetiq, but until I see it in Chandlers compound, I am going to have trust issues.

Not a good day.

I hope that you will be helped soon and that the Grenadier will return to the road. Good luck!

 

[ECrider]

My patience is really being tried at the moment; vehicle damaged 06/01/2025, progress to date, zero!

Vehicle was recovered from the roadside on the 7th January and taken to storage and anticipated inspection by Synetiq Mechanical Solutions, who decided to pass on the job as they were unfamiliar with the vehicle and it was under warranty. So far, so as expected.

NFU Mutual's claims engineer gave me details of the anticipated costs and his, (over-optimistic), assessment of time at 1 month to repair. Then they struggled finding someone to work on it, so I suggested Chandlers of Belton, the suppling dealer. Chandlers are busy and booked a slot for initial assessment for the 25/02/2025. NFU arrange with Synetiq to deliver the vehicle on the 24/02/2025.

It never arrived. It has missed its slot and it might be some time before Chandlers have the workshop space. NFU were apologetic, but are powerless until the vehicle is delivered. Apparently the issue has been escalated with Synetiq, but until I see it in Chandlers compound, I am going to have trust issues.

Not a good day.

That is highly frustrating Jeremy. I presume Chandlers can accept delivery at any stage and park (push it) in to a suitable parking space until workshop slot becomes available?

Ie NFU sort your own flatbed out and collect it pronto.

Or is it more convoluted than that?

All the very best of luck.

 

[Cheshire cat]

So the problem is with NFU and not Ineos, at this point?

 

[McGeordie]

My patience is really being tried at the moment; vehicle damaged 06/01/2025, progress to date, zero!

Vehicle was recovered from the roadside on the 7th January and taken to storage and anticipated inspection by Synetiq Mechanical Solutions, who decided to pass on the job as they were unfamiliar with the vehicle and it was under warranty. So far, so as expected.

NFU Mutual's claims engineer gave me details of the anticipated costs and his, (over-optimistic), assessment of time at 1 month to repair. Then they struggled finding someone to work on it, so I suggested Chandlers of Belton, the suppling dealer. Chandlers are busy and booked a slot for initial assessment for the 25/02/2025. NFU arrange with Synetiq to deliver the vehicle on the 24/02/2025.

It never arrived. It has missed its slot and it might be some time before Chandlers have the workshop space. NFU were apologetic, but are powerless until the vehicle is delivered. Apparently the issue has been escalated with Synetiq, but until I see it in Chandlers compound, I am going to have trust issues.

Not a good day.

I hope today is better!
However as someone who worked in Insurance Claims for many years, my initial advice, if you have not done so already, is to submit a formal complaint ( they should have logged one anyway if you expressed your dissatisfaction to the NFU advisor in your contact with them) if they haven't then I'd make that a point of the complaint, along with delays, and broken promises so far. this is not what we should expect from a Mutual and multi award winner. The complaint should add additional oversight to your claim and force NFU down a stipulated complaint handling timeline. Try and record everything, you may need it ultimately you can always escalate to the Ombudsman.
If I can help in any small way, then DM me. Hoping you don't have to and it all gets sorted out.

 

[Jeremy996]

I hope today is better!
However as someone who worked in Insurance Claims for many years, my initial advice, if you have not done so already, is to submit a formal complaint ( they should have logged one anyway if you expressed your dissatisfaction to the NFU advisor in your contact with them) if they haven't then I'd make that a point of the complaint, along with delays, and broken promises so far. this is not what we should expect from a Mutual and multi award winner. The complaint should add additional oversight to your claim and force NFU down a stipulated complaint handling timeline. Try and record everything, you may need it ultimately you can always escalate to the Ombudsman.
If I can help in any small way, then DM me. Hoping you don't have to and it all gets sorted out.

Although I am still registered as an Independent Financial Adviser, these days I am acting more as Compliance Officer, (and NFU Mutual know that), so pushing insurance companies to do as they should is a skill-set.

It is just draining.

 

[Cheshire cat]

I hope today is better!
However as someone who worked in Insurance Claims for many years, my initial advice, if you have not done so already, is to submit a formal complaint ( they should have logged one anyway if you expressed your dissatisfaction to the NFU advisor in your contact with them) if they haven't then I'd make that a point of the complaint, along with delays, and broken promises so far. this is not what we should expect from a Mutual and multi award winner. The complaint should add additional oversight to your claim and force NFU down a stipulated complaint handling timeline. Try and record everything, you may need it ultimately you can always escalate to the Ombudsman.
If I can help in any small way, then DM me. Hoping you don't have to and it all gets sorted out.

A true life example of the benefits to be found in a forum like this. Well done McGeordie.

 

[Jeremy996]

So the problem is with NFU and not Ineos, at this point?

Their contractor really. The shortage of capacity in the repair network is not of their doing, The turbulance in Ineos Automitive's dealers and service agents does no one any favours.