Hole in the bottom of TDV6 air box, normal?

[kelvo]

While having a poke about in my new to me MY14 TDV6 I noticed a hole in the bottom of the air filter box, see red circle hole in photo. This is in one of the two fixing points to the body. In the upper section there is a rubber one way valve type assembly, which makes sense. But no valve assembly on the lower hole. While I can sort of see why there would be a drain hole the lack of one way vale seems odd.

So the real question is, is this normal?

[loanrangie]

The rubber plug has probably pulled thru and still attached to the inner guard.

[DiscoJeffster]

I replaced my filter yesterday and yes, I have the same hole that goes through the bung that secures it to the body. I thought the same. I also questioned the value of my snorkel with a hole in my air box. At the moment I’m in deep thought, before I sikaflex it up. I like that it acts as a drain, but I dislike that it acts as a potential entrance.

[kelvo]

The rubber plug has probably pulled thru and still attached to the inner guard.
The rubber bung that it pushes into is open at the bottom as well.

[kelvo]

I replaced my filter yesterday and yes, I have the same hole that goes through the bung that secures it to the body. I thought the same. I also questioned the value of my snorkel with a hole in my air box. At the moment I’m in deep thought, before I sikaflex it up. I like that it acts as a drain, but I dislike that it acts as a potential entrance.
I’m glad that it’s not just mine, but still puzzled why it’s wide open.

[ATH]

Mmmm. Must admit I've never noticed a bung and I've changed or cleaned my filter a few times....... so tomorrow I'll check mine as although I have a Safari snorkel I don't want water coming up through the bottom. Not that I intend doing and deep water wading any time soon but one never knows. :)
AlanH.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I was going to silaflex up the hole in my air box too, as the original rubber one way valve had perished. Then I decided there must be a good reason for the hole, so with a couple of stainless washers, a stainless nut and nylok, plus a flexible rubber washer cut to size, I made a new one way drain valve. I also have the Safari RAI, I have found water at the bottom of the air box after driving in heavy rain so I wanted to be sure it can drain out.

[Russrobe]

Wonder if there's a one way drain valve available that would fit that hole, would be perfect. I didn't notice it there when I changed filters either so assuming the bung is still in place.
Haha, I must have skipped over Eric's post. Nice idea Eric. I wanted to fit one to the original spare wheel winder hole, so I could put a water tank above it.

[matti4556]

I read somewhere in a snorkel installation manual - or was it on a you-tube install video - that the hole is to be filled - I think they like to totally seal the airbox to achieve submersion success??

[DiscoJeffster]

My safari instructions didn’t include that I don’t believe.

[matti4556]

Hmmm - I did read it in the instructions for the Safari snorkel for the D3 (SS385HF)
Step 15 - https://www.safari4x4.com.au/images/products/land-rover/discovery/3/2006-09-2009-2.7l-diesel/ss385hf-safari-snorkel-land-rover-install.pdf
But I was mistaken , it wasn't to block the hole in the bottom of the airbox, they tell you to leave the uppermost wheel arch liner screw out when reassembling, and to also put some tape over the hole in the guard from underneath before reinstalling the wheel arch liner. I think this is perhaps to prevent the screw piercing the pipe in the guard wall from the snorkel to the airbox.
Sorry for going off topic.
Matti

[Falcon500]

Hi All - apologies for the thread resurrection. I have just come across the issue myself where the bottom hole of the airbox has a rubber flap that has all but disintegrated. Is there any update to whether people have just plugged the hole or managed to get a replacement part to act as a valve? Is there an agreed "best practice" :) ?

Also worth mentioning is that I do have a Safari snorkel so am mindful of any rain water that may get in.

Cheers.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hi All - apologies for the thread resurrection. I have just come across the issue myself where the bottom hole of the airbox has a rubber flap that has all but disintegrated. Is there any update to whether people have just plugged the hole or managed to get a replacement part to act as a valve? Is there an agreed "best practice" :) ?

Also worth mentioning is that I do have a Safari snorkel so am mindful of any rain water that may get in.

Cheers.

I siliconed the lower hole in the air box up about 100,000km ago

[Falcon500]

I siliconed the lower hole in the air box up about 100,000km ago

That's good to know, especially being for an extended period of time. Do you have a snorkel on your vehicle?

[Eric SDV6SE]

That's good to know, especially being for an extended period of time. Do you have a snorkel on your vehicle?

Yep, safari snorkel

[101RRS]

The valve if working correctly allows water out of the first chamber of the airbox but stops it coming in - even with a snorkle I guess there is always a chance water can get in and if there is no way for it to drain it will build up.

I would be looking to reinstall the valve and making sure it works.

[Falcon500]

The valve if working correctly allows water out of the first chamber of the airbox but stops it coming in - even with a snorkle I guess there is always a chance water can get in and if there is no way for it to drain it will build up.

I would be looking to reinstall the valve and making sure it works.

Thanks for your input. My preferred option would be to replace the valve too but I can't seem to find any replacement part? I don't want to have to buy a new air box just for the valve either.
At the moment the silicone option is sounding like the easiest, if not preferred. If I fully plug the hole I guess I will have to check for water in airbox regularly.
Cheers.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I change air filters every second service (so every 20,000km) I have never found any trace of water in the airbox (daily driver all year round) and I never check in between services. I do find insects or bits thereof in the second part, and usually vac out the whole thing before a new filter goes in. At this time I also clean MAF and MAP sensors (gently, with sensor cleaner and not with compressed air).

I get the idea of the non return valve allowing water to drain out of the airbox, but to me this defeats the purpose of having the snorkel fitted, the whole point being to raise the air intake to roof line so that you can potentially wade through water up to bonnet depth. This is why I sealed mine.

[Bohica]

The raised air intake is designed to she water that enters the head. There are gaps in the head that the incoming water will drain out. The inlet pipe is above these channels. Unless you bought a cheap Chinese one like for a D2 [bigsad] Then you have to add these channels.

[Tombie]

The raised air intake is designed to she water that enters the head. There are gaps in the head that the incoming water will drain out. The inlet pipe is above these channels. Unless you bought a cheap Chinese one like for a D2 [bigsad] Then you have to add these channels.

They still don’t shed it all…

The box does start to build up a water level if sealed and driving in heavy rain.

I always leave the holes in the bottom (duck bill) in place and functional for this reason.

They won’t draw back in if kept clean.

If you’re stuck that deep long enough the intake will be the least of the issue.