P38A Water proofing the air intake

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Salisbury Nick

Well-Known Member
Posts
784
Location
Dorchester
Hi all, I have a 2000 model p38 diesel 2.5 and enjoy a bit of green Laning, especially on Salisbury Plain, (I know - it kills cars).

I have seaeched the forums and posts in this forum about snorkels for P38’s and I know - ‘what’s the point? If you are deep enough to need a snorkel then you have much bigger problems”

However, looking at mine, “deep” is actually quire shallow. I changed my air box recently and when peering down through the inlet whole in the bulk head into the cavity of the wing I could see through the wing cavity and out through the wheel arch to the wheel. So, what is the point of the air intake grill being raised to just below the windscreen if every time you go through a puddle and water rises up the inside of the wing you get it in your air intake? So I’m wondering, how do you protect the air intake at the level of the air box inlet hole?

I was expecting, fool that I am, that a sealed pipe would run from the air box to the grill by the windscreen.

Hmmm.
 
WADING
WARNING
The maximum advisable wading depth is 20
in. (0,5 metre).
Severe electrical damage may occur if the
vehicle remains stationary for any length of
time when the water level is above the door
sills.
Before wading, ensure the electronic air
suspension is set in either ’Standard’ or ’High’
ride height.
If the water is likely to exceed 20 in. (0.5
metre) while the vehicle is moving, the
following precautions MUST be observed:
• Fix a plastic sheet in front of the radiator
grille to prevent water from soaking the
engine and mud from blocking the
radiator.
• Ensure that the silt bed below the water is
firm enough to support the vehicle’s
weight and provide sufficient traction.
• Select ’High’ ride height.
• Ensure that the engine air intake is above
the water level.
• Select a low gear and maintain sufficient
throttle to prevent the engine from stalling.
This is particularly important if the exhaust
pipe is under water.
• Drive slowly into the water and accelerate
to a speed which causes a bow wave to
form; then maintain that speed.
At all times, keep all the doors fully closed.
 
WADING
WARNING
The maximum advisable wading depth is 20
in. (0,5 metre).
Severe electrical damage may occur if the
vehicle remains stationary for any length of
time when the water level is above the door
sills.
Before wading, ensure the electronic air
suspension is set in either ’Standard’ or ’High’
ride height.
If the water is likely to exceed 20 in. (0.5
metre) while the vehicle is moving, the
following precautions MUST be observed:
• Fix a plastic sheet in front of the radiator
grille to prevent water from soaking the
engine and mud from blocking the
radiator.
• Ensure that the silt bed below the water is
firm enough to support the vehicle’s
weight and provide sufficient traction.
• Select ’High’ ride height.
• Ensure that the engine air intake is above
the water level.
• Select a low gear and maintain sufficient
throttle to prevent the engine from stalling.
This is particularly important if the exhaust
pipe is under water.
• Drive slowly into the water and accelerate
to a speed which causes a bow wave to
form; then maintain that speed.
At all times, keep all the doors fully closed.

Thanks Wammer. With regard to the sheet over the radiator, do you mean literally in front of the grille, just draped - tied/fixed to the front of the grille?
 
Thanks Wammer. With regard to the sheet over the radiator, do you mean literally in front of the grille, just draped - tied/fixed to the front of the grille?

That is from RAVE owners hand book. I would imagine some form of fastening would be needed at least at the top.
 
I have been looking for a radiator blind/muffler etc but can’t find one for a p38. I guess any permeable material with a fine mesh that I can fix over the grille would do?
I can’t see how I would easily slide an aluminium sheet between the grill and the rad, do you drop it in from the top?
 
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