4x4 Action Group

If you want to get to the other side of a river get a phornicating (Alex says Manny frowns upon the use of the word P H U C K I N G ) boat.............................

Well, if you don't get to the other side, or damage something in the process, I will come fetch you.

Each manufacturer will specify a maximum wading depth.
Exceed this at your own peril!

Hunter, how does the old lamb intestine condom compare to latex in wet conditions?

... well for old Petrols
... a plastic glove ... or similar condom ... comes in handy if you got a distributor and need do a water crossing ...

Only issue for me is the position of your air intake

Mad Manny wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:01 pm

If anything, the modern vehicle will be better & door seals etc will be better...

In deeper crossings, it helps that the vehicle vehicle does NOT float, and that wheels stay on the ground for traction. So the faster you can fill the vehicle up with water, the better for traction.

Not sure where good door seals fit into that. Or are we not talking about real water crossings, and real 4x4's, but puddles and mall crawlers.

This post is bit TIC , please don't get your panties in a twist.

I have drowned a vehicle, and have been through the recovery. Got the T shirt, and still drive the vehicle, but if it was a modern 4X4, it would not have been rescued. I would have lived with the insurance company's verdict to scrap it.

I think old mechanical pump diesel engines are only limited by intake height in water crossings. Water seals on the older vehicles however is not as good as on their new counterparts and you get water in stuff like lights, starters, alternators fuse and relay boxes.

The seal arrangement on the modern common rail diesels are pretty robust. Almost impossible for water to get into the ECU and other electric connections. Water ingestion usually only happens where parts were serviced or replaced and connections not clipped in properly.

Remember that red Hilux that went for a swim it handled pretty deep water and kept on running for quite awhile.

I do not test my luck in mud and water. Have lost a rear diff and wheel bearings. I do water if there is no other way around.

The Jimny has an official wading depth of the centre of the axle. That is the maximum depth that no damage is likely to occur. But if you look at how the critical components are placed, wading depth is around 700mm. But you run the risks as stated earlier of damaging wheel bearings, alternator, starter, etc. Also door seals only seem to seal as long as you are moving. As soon as you stop, the water starts to get in.

I think diesal Defender wading is not recommended above wheel height though successful wading up to just below bonnet height with bow-wave is not uncommon...
... aside from special preps (like properly fitted snorkles , wd40, plastic shrouding etc ) being taken, any higher is high risk.

I used to steam clean my engine which is convenient and effective but after compromising some sensors (eg crank angle sensor) now much more wary ...
...now selectively using cloth and suds approach