Thread: I'm losing it.....

Originally Posted by 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

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then

Originally Posted by rovercare

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then

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.....

Originally Posted by Hucksta

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

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by rovercare

Really? maybe best to stick to the asphalt then

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.

Originally Posted by Hucksta

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

I'd do what Loanrangies says.

Originally Posted by RonMcGr

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

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.