G'day all,

I'm in Australia and I purchased a 2003 TD5 Defender 90 a few months ago. Now I'm in the process of getting it kitted up to tackle Australia, and I was hoping for some advice.

I want to get it ready to tackle some seriously deep wading, so the first step is obviously a snorkel. So...should I put on a Safari snorkel or a genuine Land Rover Snorkel? The Safari has an open vent and is plastic while the Land Rover one has a top hat and is metal, but what I really need to know is which will keep the water and dust out of my engine best!

Also, what else should I do to get my defender set for deep water? I've picked up that the breathers need to be run up high (to the snorkel seems to be the best place), but what other vulnerabiities exist? Does anyone know just how water resistant the electronic control unit is, for example?

Thanks heaps for any hints, tips or advice you can give me!

Cheers,

Philip

the original land rover snorkel is the mantec snorkel which does exactly the same thing as the safari one. personally, i prefer the looks of the safari one and i'm going to get that up on my Td5. The mantec one is supposedly cheaper.

you need the wading plugs as well to be on the safe side.

depends on how much water you're talking about or how deep. generally up to the bonnet shoudn't pose a problem to the electronics if you don't mind some water in your footwells. do not submerege them fully into water is all i can say.

Hi Philip

I have a 2003 Defender 110, fitted with a Safari Snorkel, that's a personal choice I'm pretty sure the Mantec ones are just as good. One tip I was given was to seal the hose joints with slear silicione when fitting as the jubilee clips can work loose.

As to other things,.......... as far as I am aware

1) The ECU doesn't even like damp so water is a definite "no no", the seat box where it is mounted is about as water resistant as a sieve. Two options I've heard are move the ECU to as high a location as possible or at least waterproof the seat box (more silicone).
2) The electronic control for the throttle can also be adversley affected by water, it is possible (I hear) to move it and use a remote cable linkage to operate.
3) The alternator is unlikely to appreciate running underwater for long periods, I've heard rumors of more water resistant units but that's as much as I know.
4) I don't think your model has a wading plug hole.
5) The breathers I have fitted connect with a 4 into 1 union under the bonnet, one pipe then runs up the outside of the snorkel and then through a hole into the snorkel head, (looks fairly tidy).

The tips about electronics came from an article I read on the web some time ago, if I can find it again I will post a link.

Hope this helps, sound like you are going to have some serious fun, don't forget to post some Photo's.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Dave and Achuakh,

Thanks for your help! I'm getting the Safari snorkel fitted, and once I get some good photos I'll post them.

I think I'll follow your lead with the breathers, Dave - much neater than having all four of them run up the snorkel. Silicone sealing the seat box sounds seems like a pretty good idea too! I think I'll just risk the throttle and alternator for now - when I've buggered the throttle that might be a good time to install the new one higher.

A quick question (or two) - what exactly is a wading plug hole? Is it a good thing if my model doesn't have one?

Cheers,

Philip

There is a hole in the bottom of the differential casings which allow excess fluid to leak out. This does, however, also allow water in when wading. If you are going to spend a lot of time in water, then you can fit plugs to these holes.

Ensure you remove the plugs when you end your off-road session though.