Monday, September 18, 2023

Before and after taking Land Rover through deep water

Ran across an interesting thread about all the things you can damage by taking a vehicle through deep water, even with precautions taken. 

When planning to go through deep water - what needs to be prepared before and checked afterward:

Raised air-intake (snorkel - check the effectiveness of your snorkel/raised air intake: block the top with the engine ticking over , if it doesn't stop instantly (1-2sec max) then you have more to do)
Sealing off the 'Valve-air cleaner dump' in the air filter box 
Raised breathers for both axles, the gearbox and the transfer box (would be obvious to extend to top of snorkel)
Wading plugs: plug bell housing and bottom of the engine front cover (timing belt cover)

All grease nipples should be serviced before wading and after. All oil levels should be checked after wading for contamination. If wading after a long run esp. when hot, allow some cooling time, as "cooling suction" could add to risk of contamination. Water/mud in the heater will total it, sooner rather than later.

Remove drum of transmission brake to clean out, otherwise shoes/ friction face will get damaged, also could lead to juddering, or jamming. It is also possible to contaminate battery electrolyte if immersing.

Also, consider things like the breather on the back of the fuel injection pump, the PAS reservoir, top of gearbox, fuse box on bulkhead, interior carpet/trim damage.

Also, corroded fuse boxes, corroded inertia reel internals

And, condensation can do damage well after you think everything is dry (wheel bearings, transmission etc.)

Sealed fuel filler cap, oil filler cap, etc., oversized breathers, some way of disabling the engine fan so it doesn't thrash itself to death or propel itself into the radiator & eat it, make sure anything that floats is tied down, anything you don't want full of water (e.g. toolbox, laptop, camera, stereo, co-driver) above the waterline, or completely unpowered when dunked, and open the vehicle doors during immersion to allow water to get in (so you sink & get traction)





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