I'm losing it.....

[Hucksta]

G'day Troops,

Whenever I hit the off road stuff in the mud I get heaps of mud and dirty water splashed up into my engine bay (98 D1). This causes me no end of heart ache as I like to keep my baby looking good especially under the bonnet. I have spent hours cleaning the engine after each drive and have had enough. I have 2 questions for you all.....

1. My front wheel arch (both sides) have holes drilled into them for no apparent reason and the suspension tower has a gap of about 5 centimetres each side. Is this normal and should there be a cover inside the wheel arch and around the tower to stop the mud from getting into the engine bay????

2. A mate of mine who is a prolific tinkerer (he owns a defender) reckons he can make me something to fit into the wheel arch to solve my problems. Can anyone see any problems with fitting a plastic cover inside the wheel arch...ie would this cause any overheating problems or other hidden nasties....

Any suggestions would be appreciated.... I have not checked other D1's yet, which I will do today......

Cheers

[rovercare]

G'day Troops,

Whenever I hit the off road stuff in the mud I get heaps of mud and dirty water splashed up into my engine bay (98 D1). This causes me no end of heart ache as I like to keep my baby looking good especially under the bonnet. I have spent hours cleaning the engine after each drive and have had enough. I have 2 questions for you all.....

1. My front wheel arch (both sides) have holes drilled into them for no apparent reason and the suspension tower has a gap of about 5 centimetres each side. Is this normal and should there be a cover inside the wheel arch and around the tower to stop the mud from getting into the engine bay????

2. A mate of mine who is a prolific tinkerer (he owns a defender) reckons he can make me something to fit into the wheel arch to solve my problems. Can anyone see any problems with fitting a plastic cover inside the wheel arch...ie would this cause any overheating problems or other hidden nasties....

Any suggestions would be appreciated.... I have not checked other D1's yet, which I will do today......

Cheers

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then:angel:

[Hucksta]

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then:angel:

Thanks for your input, Funny you should mention that though, that's what I've decided to do until I solve my problem, that I'll admit may not be a problem for most but it is for me. I don't mind getting her dirty or even dinged up, but I don't want to cause undue damage to her engine if I can avoid it, prevention is still better than a cure.

I have owned 2 other 4 wheel drives in the past and never had this issue as the wheel archs' in them both were sealed properly.....

[rovercare]

Thanks for your input, Funny you should mention that though, that's what I've decided to do until I solve my problem, that I'll admit may not be a problem for most but it is for me. I don't mind getting her dirty or even dinged up, but I don't want to cause undue damage to her engine if I can avoid it, prevention is still better than a cure.

I have owned 2 other 4 wheel drives in the past and never had this issue as the wheel archs' in them both were sealed properly.....

WOW:confused:

Get some rubber liner and drape it over the inner gaurds and rails and bolt it on, easy fix

[CraigE]

If you do not like the holes seal them up. They probablly there from some pre fitted accessory or for alternate factory mounts.That simple.
Have to ask what type of 4wdriving you did in your older 4x4s as every 4x4 I have owned has ended up with mud, dust and other stuff on the engine and engine bay at some point. Even ones fitted with bash/sump guards.

[Hucksta]

Thanks..

I'm going to seal up the archs' and put something like a rubber liner in them, just wanted to know if anyone else had a similar problem and had any info on good ideas.

I appreciate that all 4x4's get some mud and crud underneath and in the engine bay, but the amount that ends up on the engine of the Disco is ridiculous. Even moderate driving in the mud results in the engine being absolutely covered in it to the point that the top of the manifold, the injectors and the rest of the electrics are smothered with mud and other crap.... now i'm no descendant of the Leylands or even a Bush Tucker Man, but just never seen a 4x4 engine get so dirty so easily.....


Cheers

[loanrangie]

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then:angel:

As helpfull as usual !

hucksta, no reason why you cant get some rubber sheeting from clarke rubber and bolt/screw it around the shock tower to stop it coming in there. I know what you mean though, its not that i'm worried about it getting muddy but it makes it harder to keep an eye on things if its caked in crap.

[RonMcGr]

Thanks for your input, Funny you should mention that though, that's what I've decided to do until I solve my problem, that I'll admit may not be a problem for most but it is for me. I don't mind getting her dirty or even dinged up, but I don't want to cause undue damage to her engine if I can avoid it, prevention is still better than a cure.

I have owned 2 other 4 wheel drives in the past and never had this issue as the wheel archs' in them both were sealed properly.....

Ignore that clown, I don't see his sarcastic remarks, anymore. Ignore list is a gem :-)

I have a D1 and the engine only gets filthy if following others in a convoy on a dusty road. The air con condenser fans do a great job spreading dust and dirt around the engine bay.

Normal driving, very little comes up into the bay from underneath.

I don't have those holes that you describe :o

I'd do what Loanrangies says.

[loanrangie]

Ignore that clown, I don't see his sarcastic remarks, anymore. Ignore list is a gem :-)

I have a D1 and the engine only gets filthy if following others in a convoy on a dusty road. The air con condenser fans do a great job spreading dust and dirt around the engine bay.

Normal driving, very little comes up into the bay from underneath.

I don't have those holes that you describe :o

I'd do what Loanrangies says.

A lot of the holes he describes has or had little round stickers covering them, must have been either accessory holes or jig mounts i think.

[Hucksta]

Thanks Ron and loanrangie...

Yep, I reckon you are spot on about those damn holes, I just had a flashback and i remember seeing little black stickers covering holes on other vehicles... yeah...that's right. Ok, I'll get some rubber stuff and rig it up asap, that should sort it.

Ron, i reckon i just might start using that ignore option you know, I'm starting to work out who's who in the zoo.....and Ron, the fans do make the mess twice as bad..

Cheers

[rovercare]

Thanks Ron and loanrangie...

Yep, I reckon you are spot on about those damn holes, I just had a flashback and i remember seeing little black stickers covering holes on other vehicles... yeah...that's right. Ok, I'll get some rubber stuff and rig it up asap, that should sort it.

Ron, i reckon i just might start using that ignore option you know, I'm starting to work out who's who in the zoo.....and Ron, the fans do make the mess twice as bad..

Cheers

Put me on it, I don't know anything:)

[Vern]

As helpfull as usual !

hucksta, no reason why you cant get some rubber sheeting from clarke rubber and bolt/screw it around the shock tower to stop it coming in there. I know what you mean though, its not that i'm worried about it getting muddy but it makes it harder to keep an eye on things if its caked in crap.
Isn't that exactly what Matt said 3 posts prior?:angel:

[rovercare]

Isn't that exactly what Matt said 3 posts prior?:angel:

Nobody can read what I post, when I'm on all these ignore lists:D

[abaddonxi]

Nobody can read what I post, when I'm on all these ignore lists:D

Might as well change your username to The Phantom.

Ghost who posts, man who cannot be seen.

:D:D:D

Cheers
Simon

[rovercare]

Might as well change your username to The Phantom.

Ghost who posts, man who cannot be seen.

:D:D:D

Cheers
Simon

:DNice idea, Maybe I should do a poll, vote me off the board;)

But all those with me on the ignore list, wouldn't be able to vote:cool:

[abaddonxi]

:DNice idea, Maybe I should do a poll, vote me off the board;)

But all those with me on the ignore list, wouldn't be able to vote:cool:

Ah well, there's gotta be a downside in it somewhere.

:D:D:D

Cheers
Simon

[loanrangie]

Isn't that exactly what Matt said 3 posts prior?:angel:

Sorry dont recall seeing your username before - who are you again ?

[Vern]

Sorry dont recall seeing your username before - who are you again ?HA ha ha:D

[Vern]

:DNice idea, Maybe I should do a poll, vote me off the board;)

But all those with me on the ignore list, wouldn't be able to vote:cool:
I'd vote











twice:p

[rovercare]

I'd vote











twice:p

To keep me here? your such a sweety:p

[100I]

Put me on it, I don't know anything:)

But you used to know everything, what went wrong?:D

[HAK]

back to the topic, I love keeping my machine clean to if I go out for the day I spend a day cleaning

Despite what you do I dont think there anything you can do to keep the engine bay clean if itd not mud its dirt one way or another

sorry to give you the bad news :( but its all part of the fun :)

[rovercare]

But you used to know everything, what went wrong?:D

I'm slowly dissappearing, fading away to King of the ignore list:)

[p38arover]

What do you use to clean the mud off?

I found that it was hard to remove - until I tried CT18 Truck Wash. Spray it on, leave it overnight, then pressure clean off.

Whilst a pressure clean will clean off the mud, it won't remove the mud stains that remain.

I did my daughter's Disco after she returned from working in the Kimberley. That damn red pindam is a mongrel to get off. The CT18 removed it easily.

Ron

[100I]

Be wary of truckwash, it's pretty caustic, I'd worry about long term effects on paint and for that matter possibly plastic bits.

[incisor]

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then:angel:
is there really a need for this sort of reply?

sigh.

[rovercare]

is there really a need for this sort of reply?

sigh.

It was a crappy attempt at humour, If I had of mentioned air flow charecteristics and witholding hot pockets within an engine bay, due to blocking the big cavaties, Would it of been better:eek:

How about maintaining your ignition system to a tip top standard, with quality AND regularaly changed Plugs, leads, cap etc, electrolyitic grease in all plugs, Lanylin on everything else, negating the need for crappy shields, with a pressure wash and degrease thrown in every now and then for good measure

All things done to provide quality service from your product

Or just don't like a bit of muddy water on the water'stick to the asphalt:)

[Hucksta]

Jeepers,

Lok what i have created, I was just after some ideas or thoughts on this little issue and it appears that I may have slipped the gate on the hen house and the dog (or dogs) have snuck in. ha ha ha... least it's been fun....

I'll try and put it to rest...

I use CT18 wash, it says that it is safe on all surfaces, but I'll keep an eye on that. One of my original queries was whether limiting the gaps in the wheel arch would lead to other problems, specifically a overheating issue or similar. I don't intend on blocking the whole thing completly, just the gap around the shock tower and some of the small dril holes that appear to have no current usage. This is my first Disco so I have no idea whether the amount of mud and crap that gets in is normal or not, it just seems to be an unbelievable amount, even driving through a muddy puddle results in the stuff going everywhere.

I don't mind spending the time cleaning, as it will keep it in tip top shape, don't mind getting it dirty, that's half the fun, just thought I'd try and limit the amount of foreign matter in the engine bay, might make things run better and last longer.

If it doesn't work or i don't like it maybe i'll just go back to driving the wifes Corolla....!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for having some input...either good, bad or whatever... it was entertaining..

Oh, and by the way, I got some little blind rubber grommets for the drill holes and some neoprene rubber for the shock tower, rigged it up... looks good I'll see how it all goes.. if i knew how I'd post some photos...

Cheers

[djam1]

I always find that mud in the engine bay of a Land Rover mops up some of the oil leaks.
I thought it was a good thing lol

[loanrangie]

Jeepers,

Lok what i have created, I was just after some ideas or thoughts on this little issue and it appears that I may have slipped the gate on the hen house and the dog (or dogs) have snuck in. ha ha ha... least it's been fun....

I'll try and put it to rest...

I use CT18 wash, it says that it is safe on all surfaces, but I'll keep an eye on that. One of my original queries was whether limiting the gaps in the wheel arch would lead to other problems, specifically a overheating issue or similar. I don't intend on blocking the whole thing completly, just the gap around the shock tower and some of the small dril holes that appear to have no current usage. This is my first Disco so I have no idea whether the amount of mud and crap that gets in is normal or not, it just seems to be an unbelievable amount, even driving through a muddy puddle results in the stuff going everywhere.

I don't mind spending the time cleaning, as it will keep it in tip top shape, don't mind getting it dirty, that's half the fun, just thought I'd try and limit the amount of foreign matter in the engine bay, might make things run better and last longer.

If it doesn't work or i don't like it maybe i'll just go back to driving the wifes Corolla....!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for having some input...either good, bad or whatever... it was entertaining..

Oh, and by the way, I got some little blind rubber grommets for the drill holes and some neoprene rubber for the shock tower, rigged it up... looks good I'll see how it all goes.. if i knew how I'd post some photos...

Cheers

I find that the shock tower opening is placed just right for that tidal wave of muddy water to rush in after a wheel drops into a puddle or bog hole and closing will do SFA to airflow.

[abaddonxi]

What do you use to clean the mud off?

I found that it was hard to remove - until I tried CT18 Truck Wash. Spray it on, leave it overnight, then pressure clean off.

Whilst a pressure clean will clean off the mud, it won't remove the mud stains that remain.

I did my daughter's Disco after she returned from working in the Kimberley. That damn red pindam is a mongrel to get off. The CT18 removed it easily.

Ron

How does it go on the inside?

Cheers
Simon

[njz]

I reckon the fan is responsible for spraying most of the mud and crap over my engine bay. :twisted:

Its great for getting muddy water into an unsealed dizzy cap too. :oops2: