Floodwater Related Noise

[Joz]

Naturally I don't drive into pools of rainwater by choice. I try and avoid them.

 

In previous cars, when I did unavoidably hit water, I would part-apply the brakes afterwards to help shift excess wetness, and would test them before needing them.

 

But with my Berlingo (1.4 petrol Mspace, 2005) any watersplash brings a horribly loud howling growl that takes 10 or 20 miles to clear. It's at its loudest with brakes applied, but is evident without doing so.

 

Is this purely to do with water getting into some area of the brakes from where it can't easily drain out? Or is it getting into the anti-lock brake mechanism, or what?

 

It frightened me the first time it happened - I jumped out and checked for breakages or something jammed in the wheelarch it was so loud. I wondered if maybe the exhaust/cat had got bashed on the water surface - but then finding it noiser with brakes applied I figured it must be there. Passengers find it frighteningly noisy.

 

Joz

[Oxymoron]

Naturally I don't drive into pools of rainwater by choice. I try and avoid them.

 

In previous cars, when I did unavoidably hit water, I would part-apply the brakes afterwards to help shift excess wetness, and would test them before needing them.

 

But with my Berlingo (1.4 petrol Mspace, 2005) any watersplash brings a horribly loud howling growl that takes 10 or 20 miles to clear. It's at its loudest with brakes applied, but is evident without doing so.

 

Is this purely to do with water getting into some area of the brakes from where it can't easily drain out? Or is it getting into the anti-lock brake mechanism, or what?

 

It frightened me the first time it happened - I jumped out and checked for breakages or something jammed in the wheelarch it was so loud. I wondered if maybe the exhaust/cat had got bashed on the water surface - but then finding it noiser with brakes applied I figured it must be there. Passengers find it frighteningly noisy.

 

Joz

 

 

Hi,

I drove through a particularly deep puddle in my Blingo and it resulted in the fasteners which hold the wheel arch trims in place, disappearing, so the trims were loose....But you said you've checked them?

It is possible to damage your catalytic converter if your exhaust is hot and you give it a sudden drenching in cold water!...I did this to a Vauxhall hire car once and the result was a horrible noise from under the car afterwards, which I negated to mention on return of the vehicle!:P

[tronboy]

Hi,

I drove through a particularly deep puddle in my Blingo and it resulted in the fasteners which hold the wheel arch trims in place, disappearing, so the trims were loose....But you said you've checked them?

 

 

That's the favourite. Also applying the brakes would cause the wheels to flex back in the wheelarches a bit, so it'd make the noise louder.

[Joz]

Thanks guys. I will take a look in the morning to see if there's any sign of looseness in the arch liners, or any clips missing. I have a feeling that might not be the explanation, as it does eventually resolve itself 10-20 miles later -- but then occurs at the next watersplash, for another 10-20 miles.