[SiGuy]

Hi
I wonder if anyone can help me. I have a defender 90 CSW TDI . I do a fair bit of offroad driving.
The other day I did a fair bit of wading through rivers probably no deeper than about half a meter.
In the owners manual it says that one should ensure that the wading plugs are in before doing anything like this . Me being absent minded forgot to fit the plugs .. What are the consequences of this ? My engine seems to be running fine .. except for a squeek which a bit of q20 solved .

Are the wading plugs meant for any sort of water crossings including deep puddles or are they only there for extended water usage and deep wadings where a snorkel is required?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

SiGuy:drink1:

 

[Disco]

I would strongly suggest you check your oils; engine, gearbox, diffs. If you have been swimming around in 1/2 metre water, there is every likelyhood that you have water ingress somewhere. As a piece of good advice, I suggest that you change all your oils anyway. It's a lot cheaper insurance than having a water related mechanical fault later down the track.

 

[SiGuy]

Thanks Disco. She is due for an oil change anyway. Should I be using the plugs for any offroad driving where I know I will be hitting a fair bit of Mud and water?

 

[Portland]

Are there plugs for the D2's?

 

[Disco]

As best as I can gather, the later model automatics don't have them; I believe 95 onwards. All manuals do, except the latest model disco.

 

[cellulararrest]

I know on our 2a, the wading plug just closes up the clutch bell housing. Normally it allows for drainage, but it needs to be plugged up when going through any water so water doesn't get near the clutch or the rear main seal. Once water hits that, you're done for.

 

[1st rover]

what about a 93 rrc? does it also have plugs?

 

[Disco]

If it's a manual, I'd say yes.

 

[cellulararrest]

yeah normally only manual transmissions require the use of a wading plug, so I'd say no. the 93 doesn't have any. I know my 91 RRC doesn't. Of course you still have to worry about axle breathers and such.

 

[Landy-Andy]

yeah normally only manual transmissions require the use of a wading plug, so I'd say no. the 93 doesn't have any. I know my 91 RRC doesn't. Of course you still have to worry about axle breathers and such.

Hi Cellularrest,
Are you sure your 91 RR doesn't have a wading plug?
My 91 RR auto has a wading plug. If you slide under your car, look at the housing between the engine & transmission. At the lowest point there is a small threaded hole (aprox 1/2"). The holes main function is to let any oil that seeps past the seals out, its not unnormal to get a drip of oil from the hole everynow & again.
Now, just off to the side of this hole you should have a "plug" that is just screwed into at a "storage" point. The plug is kept here so that when you attempt a water crossing, you are supposed to unscrew it from the storage location & screw it into the drain hole. The purpose being, to stop dirty/sandy water entering the drain hole. Then when you get through the water crossing, you then need to remove the plug so oil seepage can drain (& doesn't get trapped in there) Not forgetting to put the plug back in its storage spot so you have it ready for next time.
Personally, I only use my plug if I'm in the water for more than a several seconds.
cheers,
Andy

 

[cellulararrest]

I'll go out and check, but I've done that previously and it didn't turn up anything. You could very well be right and it would make sense. I just remember looking previously and not being able to find anything. Neither could I in the owner's manual or the workshop manual (what a handy tool). I shall give it a second look. Thanks

 

[Wolfman]

Anyone know where to buy a plug (flywheel housing drain plug) for a 73 Series III? I went looking for ours when I was checking oil levels and couldn't find the plug (found the drain). I don't do a lot of water crossings, but enough that I probably need one.

 

[1955diesel]

The most important thing to remember with all wade plugs is to remove them when you have finished!

Most of the protected areas are not totally sealed even with the plug fitted, so it is essential to remove the plugs to allow small amounts of water to drain.

 

[KevinNY]

I leave mine in all the time and remove it when I change the oil each time, never had a drip of anything come out.

 

[pickuprover]

The Series III plug I believe is just a 5/16 UNF threaded hole.... I just use a bolt that I happen to have in the dash (the plug has been missing for so long that I do not even know what it did look like...). if it is not 5/16 then it is somewhere around there... just test a couple of bolts in the hole, till you find the right thread.... I guess if you want to, you could then go and find a plug looking thing.... and if you are really paranoid then there is of course the teflon tape.... but actually I really am not sure when I last used it... mind you I do pull the starter after each outing to clean as it gets clogged..... oh right the bolt would solve that.....