How deep can I take a Freelander2?

[RVG]

I am off to do a Simpson desert crossing next week. Along with 1100 sand dunes there is also a crossing of the flooded Eyre Creek. Mt Dare report that the level is dropping slowly, but is presently 0.6m, which is about the upper limit on the FL2.

The air intake is just under the bonnet which is closer to 0.8m.

I realise that I can put a blind over the front, but the real question is how deep can I take it?

[Tombie]

With a blind over the front, slowly and steadily...

I'd suggest 0.7m or so - IF... IF... You maintain steady pace and DONT STOP or get Stuck...

This is my personal opinion only... If you choose to cross the water it is entirely up to your judgement... I take no responsibility.

[KarlB]

The "official" wading depth for a FL2 is 500 mm, so Tombies advice is sound and 600 mm should be OK. However, you would be crazy not to walk the crossing first. It is important to assess if water depth is the only issue you need to contend with. You need to know about any holes or other obstacles in the crossing, that may halt your "steady pace" and even require you to stop in water greater than 500 mm deep.

[Tusker]

I had to tackle a long crossing near William Creek a couple of months ago.

Walked it, knee deep for a fair way, stony but fast flowing in the middle, silted up going in & out.

We waited 40 mins or so until the next car showed up, stuck the snatch on the tow bar & gave it a go.

The bow wave effect meant the water level up front was close to the bonnet line, but down the sides of the car I think below the sills.

No problems at all, not a drop inside either. Just some slipping & sliding under power getting out of the silt on the other side. OEM tyres.

This is an i6.

Usual advice applies: keep it moving to get that air pocket under the bonnet.

Regards
Max P

[RVG]

Having had a good look at the air intake I went down to the dealer.

The official position is that 500mm is it. However, on inspection, the air intake is in the wheel arch on the LHS and that is quite sheltered. So 600/700mm looks possible. I would feel comfortable up to the top of the wheel. What does everyone think?

There are also several back up positions.

Firstly, the paper filter could be removed and the plastic lid to the filter box could be lifted off the filter box. That means that air would be drawn from the very top of the engine. Probably it would be best to remove the fan belt. Sure, there would not be an air filter but that would be unimportant for a 50 m crossing of a river.

The second fall back position is that the tube/intake to the engine could be removed and the inlet blocked off with tape. This would mean that the engine could not operate, but as it turns out I will be doing the trip with a friendly Toyota Landcrusher, which could tow me through the depths at a greater depth than I could safely drive. (At least it would beat retracing my route over 450km of dunes.)

Any thoughts?

[Blknight.aus]

the real question is how deep can I take it?

that depends.


do you want to use it again afterwards?

sorry couldnt resist.

[Tombie]

Having had a good look at the air intake I went down to the dealer.

The official position is that 500mm is it. However, on inspection, the air intake is in the wheel arch on the LHS and that is quite sheltered. So 600/700mm looks possible. I would feel comfortable up to the top of the wheel. What does everyone think?

There are also several back up positions.

Firstly, the paper filter could be removed and the plastic lid to the filter box could be lifted off the filter box. That means that air would be drawn from the very top of the engine. Probably it would be best to remove the fan belt. Sure, there would not be an air filter but that would be unimportant for a 50 m crossing of a river.

The second fall back position is that the tube/intake to the engine could be removed and the inlet blocked off with tape. This would mean that the engine could not operate, but as it turns out I will be doing the trip with a friendly Toyota Landcrusher, which could tow me through the depths at a greater depth than I could safely drive. (At least it would beat retracing my route over 450km of dunes.)

Any thoughts?

My official opinion... You are over thinking this...

Taking the filter out - a last line of defence against water splashing into the intake isnt a good move...

Drive in, if its too high tow it through with engine off... nothing else required...

If its deep and flowing you would be crazy to drive it anyway.

[RVG]

Thanks, Tombie.

You are probably right and the water level seems to be slowly dropping anyway.

[inside]

The problem you face is not water getting into the engine but of your FL2 floating. At 700mm I'm sure it would be OK engine wise but floatation definitely becomes an issue, especially in moving water.

[mikehzz]

I think you can detour around that anyway? You have to go north for a fair way. I could be wrong. Also, what about the diff? Is there a breather on it we have to worry about? Mike