What things to check / service after doing a high water crossing?

[Coalsmoke]

We've had record snowfalls so far this year, and today it warmed up and started raining very hard, so, we have flooding happening. One section of road on the way home I went through ended up being somewhere in the 3-4 feet deep range. I wasn't going to open the door and measure it It was coming over the hood and being that it was dark and the headlights weren't doing much good in the water, I was pretty much just 'imagining' where the road was and kept on trucking at about 5mph. I am quite pleased that the truck handled that deep of water so well, but I wish I didn't have to give it that deep of a dip

The engine was luke-warm, not hot, so I'm not too worried about any warping or cracking. When I got home I popped the hood and there was water and bits of debris everywhere, on the batteries and even on top of the valve cover. I pulled the air filter and the bottom of it was wet but the intake tube was still dry. I think having the winter fronts on is a big part of why I didn't end up sucking water.

I plan to change the engine oil, and send off an analysis of the trans, transfer case and both axles for water, might just change them all to be safe. I know that at least some of my electronic modules got wet, including my edge box, but nothing seems to be malfunctioning.

Has anyone taken their trucks through high water? Anything else I should be on the lookout for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JCasper]

I think you listed most of what I would be worried about, but I wouldn't do it again.



Change the diffs, transmission and transfer case just for good measure. Water in those is a bad thing.



My brother-in-law has done that to his 03 and it's still trucking along. I know for a fact that in 150K+ miles he has never changed the transfer case or diff oil. He's not the best when it comes to maintenance.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Ok, thanks for the input. Today I picked up some cases of Redline oil and plan to change everything out instead of sending off samples for analysis. It will also let me get rid of the OEM stuff in the X-case and trans that still has the break-in debris in it.

 

[opjohnny]

Coalsmoke since you had debris on top of batteries I would ck the vents on the axels and tcase and make sure they are clear.

 

[Coalsmoke]

That's a good idea, will do. Thanks.

 

[Whiskey]

coalsmoke, what kind of winter front are you using?????

whiskey

 

[Coalsmoke]

coalsmoke, what kind of winter front are you using?????



whiskey

I'm using the solid front style Cloud Rider SS winter fronts.

 

[radcam]

If the wheel bearings are serviceable do so. Grease all fittings.



Basically anything that has a lubricant in it or on it needs that lubricant changed. Running water especially flood water has a lot of crud in it and you need to get that crud cleaned out.



I would also wash the truck off completely, engine compartment, underneath, wheel wells anywhere you can spray a hose. Of course use common sense on what to spray and what not to get wet.

 

[Whiskey]

I'm using the solid front style Cloud Rider SS winter fronts.

Thanks,coalsmoke for the response!!! Nice look'n ride!!!

 

[Coalsmoke]

If the wheel bearings are serviceable do so. Grease all fittings.



Basically anything that has a lubricant in it or on it needs that lubricant changed. Running water especially flood water has a lot of crud in it and you need to get that crud cleaned out.



I would also wash the truck off completely, engine compartment, underneath, wheel wells anywhere you can spray a hose. Of course use common sense on what to spray and what not to get wet.

Yep, good point on the grease fittings. I don't know if these front bearings are serviceable. On the 95 they were sealed units, does anyone know if the 08's are the same way or if they are serviceable? I need to get myself a service manual for this truck I guess now that my warranty is on vacation.



An interesting side note, I was worried about all the electronic gizmos on the new truck, so after the first week of owning it, I pressure washed the entire engine compartment. My goal was that if something was going to get shorted out or water damaged, I wanted it done right away so I could go back and claim a warranty issue with its water resistance. Since then I have routinely pressure washed my engine compartment just like I did on my 12valver and no problems yet.

Thanks,coalsmoke for the response!!! Nice look'n ride!!!

Thank you

 

[PToombs]

I saw posted on here or another site that you can (carefully) remove the ABS sensor from the bearing, and grease it thru that hole.

Pretty sure I saw it on here. The guy said he did it twice a year, which I thought was over kill.

Until I had to change a bearing in my '95 monday 'cause I didn't make it to work.