Diff oil change?

Went to see a mate last night. To get to there you need to go through a ford. When i first went down it was like this:



Then on the way back it was like this:




The ford is about 1/2mile long, with some dips and deeps stuff.
Will the water have gone over the diff breathers and killed the oil?

Would rather change the oil than have to rebuild both axels.

The maximum wading depth for an unmodified Disco is 500mm or about 18 inches in real money.
If the water was greater than that depth, then probably it has gone over the breathers. Either way, I would at least drain a small amount off to check.

whether breathers are submerged or not the seals arent fully water proof

As u don't say what the depth was then your the one that knows that, change the oil if your in doubt, water up to hub level as your pic shows isn't a problem.

discool said:

As u don't say what the depth was then your the one that knows that, change the oil if your in doubt, water up to hub level as your pic shows isn't a problem.

Click to expand...

except water can enter wheel bearings and axle case

jamesmartin said:

except water can enter wheel bearings and axle case

Click to expand...

+1.

jamesmartin said:

except water can enter wheel bearings and axle case

Click to expand...

+2

and believe me a collapsed wheel bearing can cost you lot, having just been recovered on a low loader due to the rear bearing giving up the ghost without warning, welding to the stubb axle etc etc......

SpiritMR said:

Went to see a mate last night. To get to there you need to go through a ford. When i first went down it was like this:



The ford is about 1/2mile long, with some dips and deeps stuff.
Will the water have gone over the diff breathers and killed the oil?

Would rather change the oil than have to rebuild both axles.

Click to expand...

Just change the oil - then you'll know everything is OK.


Dave

DiscoPol said:

+2

Click to expand...

So what does everyone do ? change oils after every off roading water crossings ?

I get my ep90 for free.so i tend to do it after every trip and service engine regular aswel.

Think i'll phone up tomorrow for a oil change, and get a wading kit ordered.

I use the Disco for work every day which is over 100mile, so don't want a diff detonation.

Cheers for the help guys/gals.

I am struggling right now to find the will to keep on spending money on it. When i could have something else. But it does have a hold on me. I just can't help but love it.

wading kit wont keep water out of units or wheel bearings,

Diff oil will still work fine with a bit of water in it.
Suggest you gentle open the diff drains and see if you get any free water out
Then check the levels and top up if necessary.

Did you have your wading plugs fitted?

Vincemcdonald said:

Diff oil will still work fine with a bit of water in it.
Suggest you gentle open the diff drains and see if you get any free water out
Then check the levels and top up if necessary.

Did you have your wading plugs fitted?

Click to expand...

thats not good advice , bearings etc cab get corrosion on contact points over night

jamesmartin said:

thats not good advice , bearings etc cab get corrosion on contact points over night

Click to expand...

What about rain /spray on the bearings ? , im guilty of wading up to the bonnet on several occasions even left it parked in two feet of water for quite some time , i hve changed my diff oils and not seen any water present . change my oils every year ish

Festerer said:

What about rain /spray on the bearings ? , im guilty of wading up to the bonnet on several occasions even left it parked in two feet of water for quite some time , i hve changed my diff oils and not seen any water present . change my oils every year ish

Click to expand...

youve been lucky not everyone is

jamesmartin said:

youve been lucky not everyone is

Click to expand...

ill keep a closer eye on the diffs and check the bearings james , not a great design then for an off roader ! . I do only use it as an off roader or the odd towing /tree stump removal