Thread: Wading plug/bolts for Disco

Originally Posted by amshaw

Thanks guys for input ...got bolt x2 and fited...ok....still had a few little issue's but there in.

Had trouble finding the right fine thread in our town...new bolts are a little looser than I would like but just used a little thread tape and a small drop of Locktite, just to hold in place a bit ....but can be undone if needed.

The plugs should not be left in.

They are BSP (British Standard Pipe) pipe plugs, with square, hexagon or socket (allen) heads, and should be available in ductile iron, steel, stainless steel or brass, at most hardware stores. They have a tapered thread which tightens naturaly when screwed into the hole. They should not need sealant or thread tape, but there is no harm in using thread tape.

They are fitted before crossing deep water. Although they only take a minute to fit, for a day or weekend trip when deep water crossings are anticipated, it is ok to fit them before leaving home (unless you have bad oil seals).

They should be removed afterward, and left out until the next trip with deep water crossings. This is to allow the bell housing and timing cover to drain oil/water that leaks from the seals and condensation due to changes in temperatures etc. It is not essential to remove them straight after the water crossing. A couple of weeks wont hurt if the water crossings were only moderately deep, unless your oil seals leak badly.

Hi Guys,

A 1/4" BSPT brass plug (British Standard Pipe - Tapered), about $1 from any plumbing or tube and fitting place, will do the job admirably. Don't worry about the plug being a tapered thread that won't go in all the way. Just screw it in finger-tight then, say, half a turn with a spanner to make it firm.

I leave mine in all the time and remove them during each oil change to see if any oil (from perhaps a leaking crankshaft seal) dribbles out. If nothing comes out (as so far) they go back in until next time.

IMHO they are essential if you're EVER likely to get in water any deeper the wheel hub depth. Getting muddy water/silt into the timing cover and/or clutch is guaranteed to cost big $ eventually.