Thread: How deep can I go

The first trip i did,in the D2a,no snorkel,after Palm ck,the air filter was soaked.

Nolans was 300mm above the bonnet,so we gave that a miss,they had had a heap of rain two weeks before.

The next trip two yrs later,we had a snorkel,did the trip up and back,Nolans,etc both ways,no worries at all,but the water levels were a lot lower.

Logan's is also often pretty deep.

Pasco crossing,Frenchmans track,is also interesting,exits are often difficult.

In fact on the OTT,the exits out of the creeks are a lot more difficult,than the trundle through them.

Whilst not 100% proof. Best way to see if air intake (snorkel) is sealed is to put a plastic bag over the intake and seal it off. (ie starve motor of air). If the motor does not stall you have a leak. If it runs for a bit you will probably hear the hissing sound of air being sucked in from badly sealed joins. Just remember that some air boxes have a valve in them to let water out in the bottom. I cannot remember if the D4 has one of these. Best to check its operation if it does have one.

Originally Posted by dirvine

. I cannot remember if the D4 has one of these. Best to check its operation if it does have one.

Yes it does have a drain valve. If the rubber seal is not perished, it should work like a one-way seal, lets water out from the inside as it drains to the lowest point, but won’t suck it in from the outside.

The D4 is very capable of driving through water, with a raised air intake can wade up to the bonnet.

If the water is dirty, like Scrubby Creek going into Elliot Falls then a tarp/bra is the best way to go. This keeps the muddy water splashing around the engine bay.

The main thing with water crossing is, obviously know the water depth.
Fast flowing, up to the hubs is generally ok to drive, but if you can't walk it don't drive it.
Slow moving or still, then the top of the wheel arch is ok.
If you know your capability then a little deeper is fine.
Most cases of water going up the windscreen is due to hitting the water too fast, nose dips in and water goes everywhere and the vehicle nearly stops, it's like doing a bellyflop, lots of pain and no progress

Stop and switch off to let the vehicle cool down, wheel bearings diffs, transfer and gearbox. Let the engine cool down and the fan will not grab forward.

Then get all 4 wheels wet, before powering through, a safe speed is a fast walking pace and create a small bow wave, see the speed in the video.

The attached video is my D4 on off-road height followed by a Toyota 79 Ute so you can get some perspective.
Low range and I tend to use Mud Ruts but leave it in drive.
Defenders excepted, water gets in only if you stop, water goes through the holes in the bottom of the doors and up through the door trim.

Thanks all for comments

Re testing the snorkel

My previous car was a paj. Took it to a car wash and thought it would be s good idea to put a plastic bag over the head
Trouble is I forget about it. When I started the car I heard Big Bang noise. The grill in the snorkel got sucked right into the snorkel 🤢

Richard

Originally Posted by wbowner

Thanks all for comments

Re testing the snorkel

My previous car was a paj. Took it to a car wash and thought it would be s good idea to put a plastic bag over the head
Trouble is I forget about it. When I started the car I heard Big Bang noise. The grill in the snorkel got sucked right into the snorkel 🤢

Richard

Well at least you know all the joins were water tight and sealed!!!