| Author |
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R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:55 am: | 
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So I have heard that WD-40 and vasaline are usefull for sealing things off before a water crossing. How do you actually go about using these? And what about the starter and alternator? Do you wipe the stuff off when done? Any other considerations from people who have been in over the wheel hubs? Thanks
http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net |
sorry couldnt resist
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 12:00 pm: |
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Yes, I've heard the same, but I thought they were used at the dealer when at the cashier! HA! |
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 12:03 pm: |
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Yes, but I still need to know if we should wipe off when done...
OK, now that that is out of the way... |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 12:26 pm: |
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First off, if you are in up to your alternator in a petrol Disco, you are in too deep! I couldn't resist! The alternator is located above the air intake, consequently, by that time, you're in trouble.
As for the starter, I wouldn't worry too much as it is in a position where it is going to get wet in regular operation.
I have made my Disco more water resistant by smearing dielectric grease on the spark plug boots and the distributor and coil connections. I doubt that much more could be done. Now, if you had a diesel, it would be easier and far more effective.
The WD-40 is more valuable after you have gotten into trouble and need to dry things out, I doubt it would be very effective in controlling water ingress to critical electronic components.
I've done some heavy water crossings and so far (knocking loudly on my fake wood desk!) the only problem I have had is with water in the rear diff and a new hub seal and all is good.
Paul |
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 12:30 pm: |
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Ya, the alternator is pretty high up there isn't it?
When you spread the grease, are you just laying it around the outside of the boots as they are now? And do you leave it on there? |
Pugsly (Pugsly)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:03 pm: |
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I take a cotton swab and smear a little grease around the inside of the boot. You can also run a bead around the bottom of the distributor cap.
Note that you are not doing this to make the engine run underwater, but to protect from splashes! |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:07 pm: |
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Yeah, what Pugsly said!
When I'm doing the boots, I make sure that I start at the plug and also make sure I cover the end where the wire goes into/through the boot. You get the added benefit that you can move the boots around much easier making it less likey you will pull the connector off.
Again, what Pugsly said.If you are immersed, you're screwed and better hope you brought plenty of beer and firewood! About all you can hope for is to be able to stop a circuit from being made to ground until the water sheets off the part. |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:09 pm: |
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I missed a step! Gush the dielectric grease into every electrical connector you can find under the bonnet. Not only will you perhaps displace some water, but you will also slow any corrosion that might take place and keep any from happening that hasn't begun yet.
This is especially critical with Defender ECUs as they are beneath the passenger seat and commonly have a bunch of corroded connections. |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:30 pm: |
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Bailey - do you have a snorkel? |
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:55 pm: |
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No, don't plan on going that deep, and I would spend the money on a new suspension upgrade before that. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:02 pm: |
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Actually the snorkel isn't just for "that deep"...more for the nasty splash and backwash situations...I know on the DII the intake is in the inner fenderwell. I've seen a few hydrolocked rigs and most have been just a few feet deep... |
nadim
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:04 pm: |
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The things I did to my 3.5 V8i Disco:
1. ARB Safari Snorkel (never know...)
2. Extende breathers for diffs, transfercase, transmissions, rear fuel breather.
3. Bell-housing wading Plug
4. Jacobs Electronic Coil & plug wires (said to be water resistant)
5. Silicone sealed Distributer cap.
6. Vasline on all electric connections (including the ECU-CPU)
However, all this has one weak link...the distributer actually has a hole on the bottom to keep moisture out, so that may be the downfall. One LR racer in Aust. said that he used to replumb the vacuum from the engine-air compressor to that hole...not sure of it though...
Goodluck |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:06 pm: |
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RJ Clayton is right - even a bit of momentum through a seemingly shallow was crossing can send water up into the air intake, then the water sensor gets you and you stall, even if all the other electrics are fine. Seen it several times. I think this will get you before the wet electrics do.
Dean |
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 04:49 pm: |
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Yes, the snorkles are also good at keeping that low lying dust out of your filter. As far as shallow wading getting splashes into the intake - well, I assume that is one reason you go slow, produce a wave, and try not to splash.
Also, couldn't you essentially "shield" the intake to a certain degree against splash from below without actually re-routing it or putting a snorkle on?
Can the silicone stay on the distributer cap? I thought they needed some air in there?? That is why I was asking about wiping it off once you are done with the water crossing.
Don't need a plug on the bell, got an auto. |
ed petrush (Exp)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 05:33 pm: |
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Use the dielectric grease sparringly.. you want it to work to repel water from the fragile parts.. if you lather it on and leave it in place you might cause water to collect where you don't want it.
As for water crossing.. about as deep as I would go, would be just below the headlights... any higher you have the chance of running water into the intake as well as the distributor.. Take water crossings slowly.. better to have a slight wave in front of you instead of a huge splash... |
Marty koning
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 06:44 pm: |
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One note on using silicon. O2 sensors and that stuff don't mix well. Avoid spraying and using around the sensors or near the air intake while running. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 06:50 pm: |
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Dean Brown has some good pics in his gallery of a good technique...draping a tarp over th efront of the vehicle....
RJ |
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