Thread: D2 conquers the Cape

Originally Posted by rangieman

In fact it's a miracle.........how can a lightly modified LR do such a thing?
So what defines lightly modified Not much is lightly modified on this thing read his content`s post

What you didnt see was the B Double mobile workshop carrying a full set of spares, backed by a Jetranger Heli with lift slings and 3 mechanics on 24 hr rotating shifts maintaining the vehicle at 20 minute intervals.

With my older 4WD's I would take the fan belt off before a big water crossing, The time it took to do this also gave the gearbox and diffs a chance to cool down a bit as well.
I have been told it is a good idea to tie up the viscus fan before a deep water crossing to prevent the fan hitting the radiator and I have done this with a couple of Forerunners I have previously owned without doing any damage, Is this actually necessary ?
The only other petrol 4WD I have owned was an old G60 a Bloody uncomfortable truck But it would go anywhere, My V8 D2 is like a Rolls Royce compared to that But I haven't put it through water any deeper than a couple of feet yet so the OP's water crossing with his truck gives me hope.

Originally Posted by strangy

What you didnt see was the B Double mobile workshop carrying a full set of spares, backed by a Jetranger Heli with lift slings and 3 mechanics on 24 hr rotating shifts maintaining the vehicle at 20 minute intervals.

What about the road train fuel tanker following close behind

Originally Posted by bob10

The viscous fan, is situated behind the radiator, not in front. According to RAVE, it's main purpose is to draw air thru the radiator when the vehicle is stopped, all other times the forward motion of the vehicle provides the air flow for the radiator. [ according to RAVE, I know that goes against what we normally think about radiators and fans.] I do know there are aftermarket electric fans you can fit in front of the radiator, to assist with the air flow. Now according to that, and from what I see in my engine bay, it is very doubtful a viscous fan would be forced into the radiator. Could the radiator be forced into the viscous fan? perhaps, if the force was strong enough, but I don't know. :

Bob, think how a fan works.

Itcuts into and scoops the air sending it off at a tangent.

If the fluid the fan is scooping is more viscous and dense (ie. water) it tries to scoop the water but can't move it fast enough and the blades instead pull forward into the core, carving a nice big hole in it.

so basically the fan turns into a propeller,,

Originally Posted by rick130

Bob, think how a fan works.

Itcuts into and scoops the air sending it off at a tangent.

If the fluid the fan is scooping is more viscous and dense (ie. water) it tries to scoop the water but can't move it fast enough and the blades instead pull forward into the core, carving a nice big hole in it.

I would have thought that it being a viscous fan, and not locked up, it would either slow its spin rate due to the viscous unit is now cold as an effect of water's temp, or that if the force required for it to spin through the more dense water would in effect create the same slowed down rotational speed.

It's not hard(just dangerous) to stop a viscous fan not at operating temp using various precautions.

The only real concern I'd be having would be any sudden rotational deceleration effect on the fan when it hits the water if engine revs are too high. Could shatter fan blades if they're fatigued in any way.

Originally Posted by bob10

The viscous fan, is situated behind the radiator, not in front. According to RAVE, it's main purpose is to draw air thru the radiator when the vehicle is stopped, all other times the forward motion of the vehicle provides the air flow for the radiator. [ according to RAVE, I know that goes against what we normally think about radiators and fans.] I do know there are aftermarket electric fans you can fit in front of the radiator, to assist with the air flow. Now according to that, and from what I see in my engine bay, it is very doubtful a viscous fan would be forced into the radiator. Could the radiator be forced into the viscous fan? perhaps, if the force was strong enough, but I don't know. I agree totally that water crossings , especially deep ones, should be approached carefully, and only fast enough to create that wave in the front. Some sort of covering over the front [bra, or whatever they call it] is a good precaution. The World of risk taking is usually occupied by the young, who know no fear. And problems start when there is a group of vehicles of different makes, each one trying to outdo the other. At my age , I take the chicken track. I usually get there before them, and get the best spot, or the coldest beer.

I agree regarding the fan. Land Rover knew what they were doing. They were tested deep and without a bra. A bra is handy to avoid dirt lodging in the radiator. Having removed and refitted rads from a D2 there is no way it can move and hit the fan. I have done deep water crossings before even pre safari snorkel. Also I think I get away with a bit because it runs so cool even in the 33 degrees of the OTT run...

Cheers

Originally Posted by rangieman

What about the road train fuel tanker following close behind

Ok so to be clear it was in the 5500klm utterly reliable. Used a half litre of oil and nothing apart from a rear indicator bulb was replaced...

As for fuel I had it loaded to the point where there was JUST enough room for 3 people and the rest was solid with gear and tools etc (didn't get an outing)... and with the chunky tyres and roof load wind resistance and not sparing the rod I averaged 15 litres per 100klm. The only time I used the spare tote tank was in Lakefield National Park where I had done the 4.5 hour return trip to the top and back to Mick Feinns. Even then I calculated I would have got to the roadhouse with 5 litres spare had I lot loaded in the 22 from the tote.

Cheers