Wading - What needs to be done to a defender to get down and deep?

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ROBATRON3000

ROBATRON3000

New Member
Posts
5
Location
Nottingham
Hi folks! Firstly, I'm new to this forum, so not sure if this topic has been covered already?

I bought my Defender TD5 just over a year ago and I'm slowly modifying it for overland use.

I've already taken my landy into deep water, probably just over it's standard wading depth... It was very still water and so I managed to get a good bow wave going to get me to the other side. However, after that experience I thought I'd invest in some extra protection cos' if I'd have stopped/stalled for any reason, I'd probably have a rather dead vehicle.

I've fitted/extended the expansion pipes from the axles, transmission, gearbox etc. and I've now fitted a snorkel.

So my question is: Are there any other things I need to take into consideration?

I'm wondering if there are any electrical things I need to check for when water starts coming in through the dash :)

Should I make sure the battery compartment is water tight?

Should I pack a small inflatable dingy just in case? :D
 
As its td5 you should move your ecu to another point as its vulnerable to water damage if left standard, and seeing as youve done all the rest you may aswell finish it off!
 
:welcome2:

Don't forget to tape up the doors or they'll fall oft when wet. ;)
 
Sweet! many thanks for replies so far. I've read up about the wading plugs... I know they are not fitted in TD5 as standard... but I have no idea where they go or what the look like or where to order them from?

Thanks for the info about the ECU totally forgot about that under the drivers seat.
 
Hippo said:
You can fit wading plugs in the rear diff etc to stop water getting in. Alternative option is to raise the holes (breathers) using pipe, so the hole is higher up.
Click to expand...

Wading plugs and breathers are 2 totally different things. Also wading plugs are not needed for the diffs.
 
On a 300tdi there are two places to put wading plugs - in the bottom of the flywheel housing and in the bottom of the timing case. The plugs are just little threaded plugs that screw into the holes.

I would guess the td5 is similar but I'm sure someone can confirm.

When you fit wading plugs, make sure to take them out when you are not wading, to prevent any leaked oil building up.
 
MaxyMan said:
Dunno about daft matey. They were fecking pricey though think was over 100quid for a 1m odd length of loom! Haa.
Click to expand...

I paid about £300 for mine, might sound a lot, but how much to replace and reprogram a new one, plus the hassle of being stranded in the wet stuff.
 
thanks guys! just to recap, and possibly for the benefit of Hippo lol! ;) ... both Axels, transmission and gearbox breather pipes are all sorted and now run to the top of the snorkel.
Judging by the amount of oil I have on my drive I'm guessing wading plugs are not installed. Anyone know where I might find them on the bell housing? Top, middle or bottom? I'm guessing top cos' I can't find them when laying on my back looking up. Are they accessible from under the cubby box?
 
ROBATRON3000 said:
thanks guys! just to recap, and possibly for the benefit of Hippo lol! ;) ... both Axels, transmission and gearbox breather pipes are all sorted and now run to the top of the snorkel.
Judging by the amount of oil I have on my drive I'm guessing wading plugs are not installed. Anyone know where I might find them on the bell housing? Top, middle or bottom? I'm guessing top cos' I can't find them when laying on my back looking up. Are they accessible from under the cubby box?
Click to expand...

I think you should ask Hippo, he is the new Defender expert in here :D:D:D
 
ROBATRON3000 said:
thanks guys! just to recap, and possibly for the benefit of Hippo lol! ;) ... both Axels, transmission and gearbox breather pipes are all sorted and now run to the top of the snorkel.
Judging by the amount of oil I have on my drive I'm guessing wading plugs are not installed. Anyone know where I might find them on the bell housing? Top, middle or bottom? I'm guessing top cos' I can't find them when laying on my back looking up. Are they accessible from under the cubby box?
Click to expand...
The Td5 doesn't have wading plug holes in timing case as its got a chain, and not a timing belt. Hence the case has oil in it. The gearbox uses a standard wading plug at the bottom. ;)
 
Waterproofing your TD5 isnt nearly as hard as you may think to be honest.

youve done the breathers and snorkel, is your snorkel air tight? it needs to be a very good seal or you'll just suck in the water from a lower point.

You could relocate your ECU, where are you going to put it? on the roof? what happens if you roll it in some water at a pay and play? Most common place is behind cubby box on the rear bulkhead. Sometimes LR left enough slack on the ECU looms to go straight to the bulkhead without having to buy expensive extensions. PM Madhatman on here for loom extensions, he is much cheaper than terrafirma or anyone else, but there still over £200 i believe. :eek: not his fault, it costs what it costs.

You could just do what the competition boys do, and thats take your ECU out and split it open, place a bead of silicone around the edge and put back together, then put a blob in each screw hole before screwing back together. Keep an eye on it after a days laning and it will be fine.

The other thing to do is to change the relays under the drivers seat for waterproof ones, your fuel pump is under there i believe and this wont work if its underwater.

You can seal up the box under the drivers seat as well as possible, but the batteries under the passenger seat need to breath so either fit a pipe for them to breath or leave the holes underneath open.

For a short exposure to water, like a river crossing then you shouldnt need to worry to much, the holes are at the lowest point and the water should drain out.

As with everything, just keep an eye on it all and clean everything you can, when you can.
 
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