Member Since: 06 Oct 2021
Location: Victoria
Posts: 4
deep river crossing water ingress
I've been trying to track down where water is getting into the car and would appreciate advice from anyone else who's managed to seal up their D4 for deep wading.
I had a lot of water ingress after some deep crossings with water over the bonnet so was not entirely surprised it came it. I took the carpets out and found the captive nut mount points for different seat configurations were all un-plugged and open to the outside so I taped the unused ones up. I also suspected the water was coming up through the spare wheel winder into the cargo space so sealed that a bit better also.
This last weekend though with water only half way up the doors, maybe a foot below the door handles, not quite up to the wheel arches - so still well below the wading depth. Even after this I got home to find the door sill cable channels full of water and the underside of the carpets drenched from front to cargo area.
the cubbies, especially the left side, full of sand (was relatively clean prior) so there a relatively large area for sand and water to get into.
The wheel arch flare trim clips open straight into the inside of the car???
I know these trim clips also open to the outside from last time but hoped that a rubber washer between the clip body would have sealed it a bit better.
Where also should I be looking to improve wading ability while I have everything out and accessible?
Last edited by macadamia on 16th Jul 2023 10:54 pm. Edited 1 time in total
15th Jul 2023 6:50 am
Mastertech
Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 131
What about driving it through water with the interior out and someone in the back looking for the leaks?
15th Jul 2023 7:49 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4524
It's not a boat!
Cars are not deigned to be water tight. There are holes and voids everywhere. In fact, the body is specifically designed to drain when it's dipped in the electrophoretic primer during manufacture. The sills have drain holes in, that have a direct open path to the A B & C posts. Doors are not sealed, trim clips are not sealed. The bulkhead is not sealed.
Either accept it's going to get wet, or don't drive in water that deep!Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
15th Jul 2023 9:27 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
Or buy a boat It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
15th Jul 2023 12:14 pm
macadamia
Member Since: 06 Oct 2021
Location: Victoria
Posts: 4
rrhool wrote:
It's not a boat!
Cars are not deigned to be water tight. There are holes and voids everywhere. In fact, the body is specifically designed to drain when it's dipped in the electrophoretic primer during manufacture. The sills have drain holes in, that have a direct open path to the A B & C posts. Doors are not sealed, trim clips are not sealed. The bulkhead is not sealed.
Either accept it's going to get wet, or don't drive in water that deep!
sure. water over the bonnet I totally accepted water ingress. but at only half way up the doors, well below wade depth - I feel like wade depth should be achievable without water ingress.
16th Jul 2023 12:12 am
Pedros
Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
I kinda think you are taking wading depth figures past their limits. Search around for what the wading depth for a D4 is and limit your adventures below that. Or get some rubber ducks....
I have not checked recently, but IIRC the door handles are approximately 1,000 mm above ground level, so maximum wade depth about 10 cm below door handles.
NJSS
16th Jul 2023 11:14 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73090
If you wade too deep then water ingress will be the least of your worries as your car will start to float and go whichever way the water is flowing. You won’t be the first to suffer that fate. http://www.disco4.com/forum/binned-it-saga-45191.html?highlight= , and prob won’t be the last but we will say we told you so.
16th Jul 2023 11:36 am
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
I thought the wading depth of the D4 and D3 is 700mm...2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 06 Oct 2021
Location: Victoria
Posts: 4
NJSS wrote:
I have not checked recently, but IIRC the door handles are approximately 1,000 mm above ground level, so maximum wade depth about 10 cm below door handles.
NJSS
and what would a foot below the door handle be then?
macadamia wrote:
This last weekend though with water only half way up the doors, maybe a foot below the door handles, not quite up to the wheel arches - so still well below the wading depth.
DSL wrote:
If you wade too deep then water ingress will be the least of your worries as your car will start to float and go whichever way the water is flowing. You won’t be the first to suffer that fate. http://www.disco4.com/forum/binned-it-saga-45191.html?highlight= , and prob won’t be the last but we will say we told you so.
onya cobber
16th Jul 2023 10:59 pm
Lightwater
Member Since: 21 Oct 2018
Location: Sydney NB
Posts: 97
Mastertech wrote:
What about driving it through water with the interior out and someone in the back looking for the leaks?
Test it out at Cahills Crossing (Australia). If the leaks don't get you the crocodiles will. At least it will keep one focused on one of at least two issues!
P.S. A couple of bilge pumps from Whitworths Marine!Visitor - Freelander owner
17th Jul 2023 9:12 am
macadamia
Member Since: 06 Oct 2021
Location: Victoria
Posts: 4
Lightwater wrote:
Test it out at Cahills Crossing (Australia). If the leaks don't get you the crocodiles will. At least it will keep one focused on one of at least two issues!
I tested it out crossing Nolans and the 100 other crossings in Cape York!
Lightwater wrote:
P.S. A couple of bilge pumps from Whitworths Marine!
I know you're probably joking but I've been thinking how I can rig up a couple of bilge pumps to pump for the two cable channels in the door sills that have been full of water that doesn't drain out and only sloshes into the carpet each time this has happened.
18th Jul 2023 3:30 am
RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1730
have a look at youtube for 4WD 24-7
they are group of bonkers off roaders but the channel is really entertaining, some of the drives they do are unbelievable !!
on one of them they are driving through a very wet area out near the coast, and one of the vehicles actually has bilge pumps fitted, with the outlets coming out the custom rear side windows2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
18th Jul 2023 9:23 am
JonM
Member Since: 24 May 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1247
DIY Ace wrote:
I thought the wading depth of the D4 and D3 is 700mm...
It is.
900mm is for the Discovery 5.
As a rough guide, 700mm is about 6cm less than the diameter of the standard 255/50R20 tyres.MY2022 D5 HSE D300 - with extra nice bits added
MY2019 D5 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - sold to a dealer for a crazy price! - So good I bought another!
MY2012 D4 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - retired to a new home
18th Jul 2023 12:14 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15264
Electrics and breather pipes should be a serious consideration if wading over LR recommend depths....... always on the road less travelled 🚧
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