Well, as very new owners of a Town Ace Super Extra, we have a few questions....we live in Jamaica and don't get too much rain BUT when we do, we all know it. Last week the rain was bad enough to cause us to stall the "brat wagon" and indeed we had water inside up to our knees. So, the problem is that since then, warning lights are appearing like unwelcome guests at your wedding!
The one we are most worried about is the Glo Plug light..not sure what is going on but I have noticed that it is not starting as well as it used to.....it feels as though the battery is flat and then hey presto, we have lift off.
Help us out because we really NEED some good advice.

Many thanks

John and Jo Thompson

- (#8866) John & Jo Thompson, 4 Jun 03 7:50

Hello John and Jo.
Stalling in very heavy rain is a worry. A colleague I used to work with managed to wreck a diesel engine driving through a ford one day. The air intake to the engine sucked up a bucket load of water, and the engine stopped dead, never to work again. If yours starts, and it seems to run well, then it should be ok though.

If everything is still soaking wet, then most of your problems could just be shorting. You may be lucky and get away with a thorough drying out. But if it was up to your knees then it will have soaked the wiring loom, fuse board, relays, and could have filled up the battery housing under the floor, so you may find some blown fuses, and need a new battery.

If the water level was as high outside, then the starter motor, solenoid, alternator, and rectifier may have shorted as well.

Hope that helps
dave Bright

- (#8867) dave Bright, 4 Jun 03 10:20

Get some WD 40 (UK name) or other moisture dispersent from a garage/motor factor and spray all wiring, plugs,starter motor,alternator (dont spray on rubber drive belts) etc. - infact anything electrical that may have got wet.
This should dispel any moisture which was causing shorting.
Worth pulling any electrical plugs and spraying inside them also (have some paper towel ready to mop up)
Worth doing this a couple of times a year as a preventative measure anyway
Good luck
Chris

- (#8868) chris turner, 4 Jun 03 11:42

As an afterthought
Once everything is dried out and working ok (hopefully)after using plenty of moisture repelant - pull any vulnerable electrical plugs/joints - ensure contacts are good and reassemble using plenty of silicone grease (not conductive) to more or less fully protect/waterproof the joint.
This should reduce the damage next time you get rain like that
Chris

- (#9011) chris turner, 5 Jun 03 11:08