| Author | Message | ||
     Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 246 Registered: 10-2002 |
A fellow discowebber and I went up to Arrowhead/Big Bear a little while ago to enjoy the recent snowfall in our D1 and D2. We had a pretty epic outing that finished with a very exciting water crossing at Deep Springs (maintained by the Rough Riders jeep club). It was about 10:30pm and we had had our lights on since dark. The air temp was about 37 degrees and since most of the water was snowmelt I assume it was pretty cold. The crossing was about 30yds long and winch deep most of the way. For one section (maybe 20 ft) it became very deep and with no bow wave water started to come up the hood. Both of us completely submerged our headlights and hella 4000s on our bumpers. The next day I noticed both of my headlights had U-shaped cracks from the top of the light to midway down. When I got to work we checked out his truck and sure enough one of his headlights had the same crack. Mine's the D1 and his is the D2. We could only assume that this was a result of the hot/cold factor from the crossing. All of the hella 4000s were also on and were fine (although half filled with water). Of course, the hellas have tempered glass not plastic, but they also generate more heat. What gives? Is this common? Should we have known better? Should you always turn off your headlights for a cold water crossing? anyone else have a similar experience? mine isn't under warranty but his is. He talked to our very helpful tech (who is usually the master of warranty service) but he couldn't get it replaced for free. | ||
| Milan (Milan) Member Username: Milan Post Number: 195 Registered: 10-2002 |
My stock headlights have not cracked yet but I have cracked other lights like that. I cracked them in water and I also cracked them by trying to wash them using snow, forgetting the wire mesh gravel guard would plug up with snow a they'd crack before I could get the snow out. Stupid me. My PIAA Series 40 lights seem to run fine though. | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 80 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's a natural enough thing to expect. Next time you are faced with the same situation, stop and turn all you lights off for 5 minutes then turn them on and proceed. This will solve the problem. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 244 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rack lights.......... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 221 Registered: 10-2002 |
Same as taking a mug you just boiled water in and putting cold water in it....most likely it will crack. With extreme temperature differances like that exhaust manifolds could crack too. | ||
| Greg Ellis (Gregaust) New Member Username: Gregaust Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2003 |
More than likely your diffs and gearboxes would have contracted in the cold water as well, sucking water in past the seals. Don't forget to check or change your fluids after your crossing. |
