wading plug size?

[noogie]

Hi all

Just wanted to confirm what the size of the wading plug is that bolts in under the clutch.
I've been told it might be a quarter inch thread size.

Thanks

[rick130]

If it's a Tdi, it's 1/4" BSP

[noogie]

Sorry all. It's a td5 2005.
Sounds like it's the same size.
Thanks

[Tombie]

TD5 dont need a wading plug...

Heck mine swam all its life and never had one fitted...

[Judo]

I haven't had to fit them in my TDI yet and can understand the timing belt one...don't want to shorten its life. But the other one? Fly wheel or wherever it is... Is that really necessary? Always thought I wouldn't bother with that one.

[wmd]

Muddy water in the throw out bearing .
It will shorten its life very quickly , I found this out the hard way .
Cheers WMD

[mox]

On my 300Tdi Defender, I have just applied the same principle as used by Land Rover on its gearbox, transfer box and diff breathers. ie They have plastic hoses attached and the open ends are located well above any likely planned wading depth. Bought two brass fittings to screw into 1/4" BSP holes where wading plugs go and to take 3/8" hose pushed onto them. To minimise possibility of hose and fitting catching on anything passing under vehicle, they are right angle type with the middle part like a cube which makes them easy to screw in. Have used clear 3/8" plastic tube. While inspecting under vehicle, dirt can be wiped off the outside next to the fittings to check that there is no oil coming out of the clutch or timing belt housings.

[noogie]

The wading plug on a td5 is a 15mm thread for the record .
$3 bucks from local hardware store.
Thanks all

[scottc]

On my 300Tdi Defender, I have just applied the same principle as used by Land Rover on its gearbox, transfer box and diff breathers. ie They have plastic hoses attached and the open ends are located well above any likely planned wading depth. Bought two brass fittings to screw into 1/4" BSP holes where wading plugs go and to take 3/8" hose pushed onto them. To minimise possibility of hose and fitting catching on anything passing under vehicle, they are right angle type with the middle part like a cube which makes them easy to screw in. Have used clear 3/8" plastic tube. While inspecting under vehicle, dirt can be wiped off the outside next to the fittings to check that there is no oil coming out of the clutch or timing belt housings.

Did the same thing to the gearbox plug but mainly to stop oil dripping on the driveway and monitor how much oil is coming through the seals.[biggrin]

[goingbush]

You do NOT need a wading plug on anything other than a Series One which has a spiral on gearbox input shaft rather than a seal. No other 4x4 has one , because you don't need one.
If your thrust bearing failed, it was going to fail anyway.

[Red90]

It is so you do not get the clutch wet and lose drive.

[gromit]

It is so you do not get the clutch wet and lose drive.

Not sure you'd lose drive if the clutch got wet.

The wading plug is to let oil out (which would cause you to lose drive if the clutch plate got covered). If crossing clean water then probably no need to install it but playing in muddy bog holes it would be an idea to install it so the clutch & throwout bearing doesn't get covered in mud/grit.

On the 300TDi there is also a tapped hole at the bottom of the cambelt housing. Leave it out so oil doesn't build up and install it if playing in mud holes. It's higher than the bell housing so you need to be in quite deep before a plug is needed.

Years back I did the Crooked River Track down Dargo way.....28 (from memory) river crossings but clean water so didn't bother with the wading plug. It was an organised Land Rover trip and nobody had any issues although most were probably auto rather than manual.....



Colin

[Red90]

You do. If you disengage the clutch while it is submerged in water you will lose drive. That is the point of the wading plug. To keep water out of the bellhousing when wading.