td5 + ford

Hi guys,
I am new to all this offroading and have yet to visit a pay and play. Local to me there is a decent ford (aston) which is reasonably deep here is a link of the ford but at the moment it is deeper due to the rain recently [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCNlbdOiOIM"]YouTube - Hawkstone 4x4 - Part 4 (Aston Ford)[/nomedia]. Is what I would like to know is if i need to replace my fan with a kenlow fan to reduce the amount of water being 'splashed' around the engine bay. Also what needs water proofing under the bonnet to reduce the danger of any electrical problems.

I am looking into getting a snorkel and extended breathers for the axles for future 'swimming'.
Many thanks in advance Scott.

disco19 said:

I am looking into getting a snorkel and extended breathers for the axles for future 'swimming'.
Many thanks in advance Scott.

Click to expand...

Get yourself a boat

disco19 said:

Hi guys,
I am new to all this offroading and have yet to visit a pay and play. Local to me there is a decent ford (aston) which is reasonably deep here is a link of the ford but at the moment it is deeper due to the rain recently YouTube - Hawkstone 4x4 - Part 4 (Aston Ford). Is what I would like to know is if i need to replace my fan with a kenlow fan to reduce the amount of water being 'splashed' around the engine bay. Also what needs water proofing under the bonnet to reduce the danger of any electrical problems.

I am looking into getting a snorkel and extended breathers for the axles for future 'swimming'.
Many thanks in advance Scott.

Click to expand...

Hi Scott and welcome to the forum.

The ford as shown in the video is, imo, at the very limit of depth to be driven by a std Discovery TD5.

The question about fans is for me the last thing to be concerned about. Water getting into the cylinders and the various mechanical bits is much more important.

I would say that before you attempt wading of this nature your first priority should be longer breathers and a snorkel.

Yup - I agree with thebiglad.

Fords are great fun but I'd want at least to fit breather extensions to the gearbox and axles before tackling one at that depth. What happens otherwise is that hot gearbox and axles cool suddenly in the water, the air contracts and there is a `sucking in' effect if the breathing tubes are not clear of water - and they probably wouldnt be at this ford. You'd then need to replace all your oils asap or risk damage in the medium term. Check for leaks around the oils seals too - because if oil can get out water can get in!

On a standard td5 the air intake for the engine is at the top of the front N/S wing so if the water level is likely to rise to anywhere near the top of the wheels best not to chance it.

This is of course why we modify our disco's - so we can have more fun with these kinds of envronments

Thanks for the replys, I am off to the 4x4 show this weekend so I am going to be treating my disco to a few new bits and pieces and snorkel and extended breathers are on the list.

Having them fitted with the standard fan would it still be risking flooding anything in the engine bay?

Also in terms of waterproofing what and how would I go about doing this with any electrics under the bonnet?

Many thanks Scott

the ford in that video at that depth will pose no issues for your TD5 "as is", aslong as you dont enter it like an idiot and once your in create a bow wave and keep the pace smooth and you'll be fine......Just as the jeep did in the vid.

if you want to stop water going into the fan, of which a large proportion goes through the rad, then fit a wading blanket. Fitting a snorkel is always a good idea tho as is extending the breathers as you never know what you will encounter and modding them takes away that element of risk.

Just been browsing your website 'Urban Panzer' some very useful info on there and impressive stuff in your disco have you currently got a standard setup in terms of the fan? also have you made any alterations to the electrics under the bonnet to achieve wading at those depths?

Hopefully going to go to a site where there are professional trainers to give me the confidence I need.

Many thanks Scott

I have always said to people if you thinking about wading deeper then a the average depth, then fit a snorkel, yes its easy to check the depth of water with a stick but that will onkly give you the depth of that point, all you need is a slip to one side or a hole in the route you did not know and bang one dead motor, for what they cost can save all the worry, get a snorkel fitted, adn do your breathers as well, then no worrys,

Which one you thinking of?

well I am thinking of the SAFARI style one not the pucker one but one of the 'style' jobbys as I cant justify the price. What ones would you recommend?? The only thing worrying me is the electrics under the bonnet any way i could reduce the chance of the water getting in there? Scott

the wate i am going threw in my pick below found its way into my air filter kept running ok but looked in the filter when i got home to find all the driffield grit as deep as you would want to go without a snorkel and i was running with a normal viscus fan