By herky on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 12:28 pm: Edit

Is there anything I can do to improve performance of my disco2 through water puddles? I recently went on a little excursion around a local lake and traversed through some pudlles maybe 12 inches deep, I went through about 5 or 6 of these and after the last one my car died. I have stock airbox, it would start but wouldnt idle on its own. I took it home and pulled the airbox it was clean, could this be my distributor getting wet? This discturbs me since I could encounter puddles like this on normal city streets,my indestructible vehicle seems to have chinks in its armor, please help. Matt G

By Mike on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 09:37 pm: Edit

There is a big difference between a mud puddle on a street and one encountered off-road. So equating the two is not really relevant.

All V8s have problems with water, not just Rovers. Water and electronics just don't mix. Diesels fare much better because they don't rely on electronics in order to operate.

Since you are having trouble after wading through only 12" of water, I'll be willing to wager that you were probably blasting through the mud puddles like a 12 year old school kid. Change your driving style your problems will probably go away.

Slow and steady wins the race when crossing water. For less than 24", drive through nice an slow with a steady pressure on the throttle. When the water gets higher, turn off your AC and pull slowly into the water until your bumper starts to push the water. Accelerate slightly to make a small bow wake and follow the wake across. Don't over-drive your bow wake.

As far as vehicle preparation goes, duct tape across the slits in the bottom of the gaskets in all of your doors. Spray all electronic connections and your spark plug wires with Silicon Spray (WD-40 will work to a lesser degree).

However, be forewarned! There is no faster way to kill your vehicle than driving it through water. Get stuck in 3 feet of water for any length of time and you are looking at a $20K repair bill (actual Dealer charge for repairing a Series II Disco that sat in water overnight).

LoL
Mike

By Mike on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 09:41 pm: Edit

Here is a picture of my Disco going deep! No chinks in this Disco's armor!

By herky on Saturday, June 02, 2001 - 10:54 am: Edit

Thank you for reprimanding me like a young schoolboy, I will take your advice on the silcon spray and wading techniques.

By Jonathan Williams (Jonw) on Saturday, June 02, 2001 - 11:13 am: Edit

I think after my vehicle sat in 3' of water over night, it'd be time to sell it to the highest-bidding salvage yard LOL

By Bruce on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 10:35 pm: Edit

Di-electric grease, try it on your electrical connections.

By herky on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 11:34 pm: Edit

Thanks Bruce for your advice. And yeah I am blasting through small mud puddles I guess I will approach them as school zones from now on.