2013 Puma - to wade or not to wade

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simon

I may be faced with a crossing up to 700mm deep. I do not have to cross, it is simply a matter of choice to go see a waterfall / gorge.

The crossing has a smooth concrete base and is not flowing fast.

My 110 is stock aside from a snorkel (sorry "RAI"...) which was sealed with silicone both at car body and also where the intake joins the pipe to the air box.

SWMBO is not keen on the crossing, so I will catch hell if things go amiss!

If Land Rover say 500mm presumably they have a healthy margin of safety in there?

Would love to hear the wisdom of experience in taking the puma into water

Cheers

Simon

---

The easiest way to test if your RAI is sealed is to take the top off it and place a piece of wood over it with the engine running. If the engine stops then it is sealed, more than likely it will not stop unless you have sealed both of the drains in the air box and replaced all of the hoses between the RAI and the air box with something like the nugget stuff kit.

In a stock defender at 700mm as others have said you do risk water reaching part of the air system, especially if its a long crossing.

Have you also replaced your fuel and diff breathers? If not then personally I would not suggest it being a good idea.

Well paint me yellow.

Turned up and had a look, in the end did not cross.

Cheers for the responses, good advice to stop and let things cool before a crossing.

Tombie - we are travelling solo, so would have had no one to help if things had gone wrong.

Bizarrely SWMBO ended up the one keen to just give it a go regardless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simon

Well paint me yellow.

Turned up and had a look, in the end did not cross.

Cheers for the responses, good advice to stop and let things cool before a crossing.

Tombie - we are travelling solo, so would have had no one to help if things had gone wrong.

Bizarrely SWMBO ended up the one keen to just give it a go regardless.

---

Should have done it then - now you've lowered the bar for next time.

That's moving in the wrong direction...

Might be time to get both the missus and yourself accustomed to the idea of driving through water, I have always considered it a very routine part of driving in the bush. And I'm stuffed if I'd be wading any water crossing in Kakadu. If it looks like a bad idea from the bank, it probably is.

POD - water driving not a problem, just a question of depth. Was not overly concerned about air intake, more the electrics closer to the waterline. Nearer home may have given it a go, out here it's a long tow home, and I don't fancy stopping between croc and bank.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simon

POD - water driving not a problem, just a question of depth. Was not overly concerned about air intake, more the electrics closer to the waterline. Nearer home may have given it a go, out here it's a long tow home, and I don't fancy stopping between croc and bank.....

---

Yeah absolutely with you on the crocodile thing, what I was getting at is that if you have some experience with river crossings in general you'll be better able to make the decision about what is sensible to cross and what is not. Your mentioning that your lady was not keen sort of suggested that maybe you guys haven't done many river crossings. We have been spending a lot of time in the Vic high country for over 30 years so when I look at a crossing in the Kimberley where there may be things with big teeth, I'm confident in judging whether it is a sensible crossing to attempt or not. I find it is very rare to get water building up inside the car unless you actually stop in deep water. The electronics under the bonnet of the Puma are very well sealed. There was a vid on here somewhere of some nutcase in Britain driving one for what seemed like miles with the bonnet underwater in a flood, madness but showed what is possible. A concreted ford would have to be pretty deep or fast flowing to be any cause for worry.

If you are Yellow then Yellow is the colour of wisdom.

Obviously exbox is a great solution for raising under seat electronics. Has anyone found a solution for the sensor at the accelerator pedal? A rubber boot or plastic bag with zip locks?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Obviously exbox is a great solution for raising under seat electronics. Has anyone found a solution for the sensor at the accelerator pedal? A rubber boot or plastic bag with zip locks?

---

If its anything like the TD5 unit (haven't looked) it shouldn't be a problem...

Had my Defender in water up to the top of trans tunnel on a few occasions without issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Obviously exbox is a great solution for raising under seat electronics. Has anyone found a solution for the sensor at the accelerator pedal? A rubber boot or plastic bag with zip locks?

---

Mine's been wet a couple of times without issue to date. I carry a spare in any event, but you could probably just bag it up if you were considering an epic submersion mission?