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cee-b



Member Since: 25 Jan 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 114

United Kingdom 
Today, I went wading!
Part of my journey today involved passing through a flooded village.

Having entered through a ford marked with a depth board at just over 2 feet, I stopped at the first property and asked whether the water got any deeper further on because 'I didn't want to be that idiot who drove into deep water and got stranded'. I would far rather have taken a long-ish detour than risk drowning the Landie.

'No mate', he assured me, 'there is quite a long stretch under water, but it doesn't get any deeper than that - you'll be fine'.

He lied.

I went round a corner and the road and river became one; by now though, I was committed. Once committed, the water got gradually deeper until I was pushing a bow wave up to the wing tops. I just managed to keep it below the intake - and it went on - and on - and on, for nearly half a mile

My question now, to those of you who might have more wading experience than I have, is regarding the breathers. I don't have extended breathers, so will I/might I have contaminated the oils in gearbox/transfer box/axles?

Also, is there anything else I need to do? (other than draining the water out of my spotlights).

Cheers for any advice.

Edit: I've checked the driver's seat box and dried out the small amount of silty water in there.


Last edited by cee-b on 16th Feb 2020 4:59pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #815449 16th Feb 2020 4:38pm
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4784

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
For the cost of the oils vs the cost of replacing components then I'd do a full fluid service just to be sure Thumbs Up

Just make sure your air filter is dry and perhaps take the water trap off the diesel filter to make sure nothing made its way into the fuel tank. 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
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Post #815451 16th Feb 2020 4:41pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5408

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Unless boxes, and axle were really hot on entering the water I think you will be fine. If unsure remove the fillers for the boxes, and see if the level has raised.

But it is what these have been built to do.
Post #815483 16th Feb 2020 6:11pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Re: Today, I went wading!
cee-b wrote:
you'll be fine'.

He lied.


Technically you WERE fine Laughing
Post #815507 16th Feb 2020 7:10pm
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Devon-Rover



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: South Devon
Posts: 905

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Aintree Green
Yup full oil service just for piece of mind, after all to inspect it requires draining or at least undoing the plug in the first place.

Depending on your vehicle will depend on what breather setup you have. Most have breathers up to the bulkhead for the gearboxes (not puma T box only) and front axle the rear breather only goes up to the A frame crossmember.

Either way do you know they are free to breathe anyway? and not to mention that the pipes are a bit skinny and so even free ones still can pull water in past the seals.

I would also pull the flanges off and check the wheel bearings, it's another area water likes to get into.


Hopefully after all that you will be ok to keep running, after all oils are cheaper than new parts. And no doubt a lesson learned and why the mantra is wet pants is better than wet seats. Walking it would of also told you what the depth was an if there was any hidden trees or seen water currants that would suggest a lifted manhole cover.

Sorry to be the old bore but as fun as it is safety seems to go out the window when the adrenaline gets going. Also can be found on Fb, Ytube, Insta & Twitter @4WDSouthwest
Post #815518 16th Feb 2020 7:34pm
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Grouse



Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 512

Or women are involved Twisted Evil Shocked Laughing
Post #815539 16th Feb 2020 8:12pm
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cee-b



Member Since: 25 Jan 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 114

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll have a look at all the oils and - as changing them is almost as easy as looking at them - I'll do that as well.

Just for the record, I've trialled Landies, had a crack at rallying and raced Enduro and MX on motorbikes: balancing that bow-wave at the top of the wings today was the scariest thing I've ever done in/on a motor vehicle
Post #815554 16th Feb 2020 9:54pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Rear axle oil and possibly front would prob benefit a change, expect rest is fine. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #815557 16th Feb 2020 10:08pm
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Tommo



Member Since: 19 Dec 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 830

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 Black LE Java Black
At least the chassis should be clean Shocked
Post #816013 19th Feb 2020 4:35pm
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cee-b



Member Since: 25 Jan 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 114

United Kingdom 
'At least the chassis should be clean Shocked '

If only! There was so much crap stuck under there that I had to pressure wash it with the under-body lance to get rid of it all Sad

I've re-greased the prop shaft, WD 40d and re-lubed the door hinges, lubed the bonnet release cable and done a complete (g/box/txfer box/axles) fluids change.

It may be a bit OTT? but I'd rather play safe with a vehicle that is a keeper
Post #816071 19th Feb 2020 9:56pm
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