Mental note - fords are bad

Isn't that the mistake?

ISTR you need to build up a bit of a 'bow wave' to ensure the water is cleared from the car.

The most likely explanation is that the alternator belt got wet, water acts as lubricant, alternator belt slips, no charge.

It's in the name "WD40" is Water Displacer 40. It moves water away. Yep, you are a dip. ;)

My problem wasn't water related, but I had a similar problem where the car needed a jump start but wouldn't ever start on its own. Finally diagnosed as an earth strap problem under the engine. Perhaps the water has dislodged a shaky connection?

No, you want to *avoid* creating a bow wave.

You've never owned a Mini, have you?

Since the bow wave causes problems in traffic coming the other way.

Surely you don't apply off road driving techniques to the road?

Oh dear. The trick is to create a bow wave which gives you a lower water level behind it, thus helping protect the motor, and to drive fast enough to keep that wave going as you cross the ford.

Since when? Not on any offroad driving course I've ever done.

Washed the rust away between :)

How many fords do you know that are busy enough to have two-way traffic?

And even if two cars from opposite directions did approach one at the same time, do you *really* thnk they'd go through at the same time?

In a Ford? Not having one causes MORE problems does it not?

Bloody well do. Works wonders in snow and in deep water.

You got me there. Only one.

I got you on that one. You need to spend more time in Yorkshire.

Conversely, I live in York, where it floods. It also floods in Pontefract. And I often see stupid bints in their offroad vehicle creating a big bow wave because they are late / on time / stupid / inconsiderate* and people do drive on both sides too...

Probably not an issue when crossing most fords, given that they only really exist on minor roads.

Errm, I said few inches, not feet! I dont think a bow wave technique is really needed when the water barely reaches the wheel!

This is what I've been doing this evening - cleaning up all the connections to the starter/battery/alternator. No such luck so far, but I'm not sure if the battery is flat, and someone has parked right next to me so cant get the MR2 in there to hook up jump leads. Although thinking about it, there's one earth strap I havent checked which earths the engine under the manifolds, and is quite exposed. Ah well, that can wait till tomorrow evening now, I'm hungry!!

I've also discovered a loose engine mount nut and a hole in the side of the dizzy cap.

Decided to check the last earth strap afterall:

Your car must be really s**te if it packs up in a few inches of water.

Well it seems other Manta owners have had similar problems in water. The Delco alternator is senstive to water apparently. And there was water up in the engine bay when I stopped so it deinately got up in there.

Anyways, if you read my other post the problem was a broken earth strap. Whether it was the splash of water that finally finished it off, some debris on the road, the potholes I went over, getting sideways on some mud or sneezing too hard, who knows. Sorted now with some proper cable, so all is good.