Water fording: snorkels and more...

GenevaPinz · Post by **GenevaPinz** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:20 am

Hi all,

At some point I might take my Pinz through a mountain stream that I have crossed numerous times -mostly as passenger- in snorkel-equipped LR Defenders. Problem is, depending on snow cover and weather, the water level can be below 2 feet in the morning and above 3 feet in the afternoon... After having searched this forum and the internet about water fording in general, and more specifically for the Pinz', I still have a few questions:

1) There are a few threads on this forum about snorkels. I know that water entering the engine is as bad as it gets, and a device that makes sure it does not happen is a must when going into seriously deep water, but looking at my 710 I could not help but notice that the stock air intake is already quite high, just below the engine access hatch. Was another element considered by those installing a snorkel, like the risk of having the fan spray water into the air intake? Should I install a snorkel, it would be a "flexible-tube-trough-the-front-grille" temporary one, but I wonder until what actual depth I can safely do without one.

2) The height of the stock air intake made me hint at the fact that the factory-given fording capacity of 70cm/27.6in is affected by the need to protect the electrical components of the truck, too... What can / should be done to protect the ignition and other electrical components (alternator, even batteries) from water?

3) I've seen that adding "axle breather" tubes or "wading plugs" is common for Land Rover owners... is there anything similar for the Pinzgauer that can be added, or simply that has to be kept in mind regarding water fording and transmission components?

Sorry for the longish post and thanks in advance for your input!

Jan

ScottishPinz · Post by **ScottishPinz** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:09 am

All factory fording depths are pretty conservative. The pinz does not need plugs or breathers to wade and the electricals are about as good as they get for going into water. I haven't, but know many who have waded in water with it around their legs while in the truck!! Profpinz has drowned his and has since made the best custom snorkle you will see! I'm sure once oz time comes round he can give some advise.

Wayne Roberts · Post by **Wayne Roberts** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:04 pm

Here in Florida we regularly take our Pinz's swimming. They will go up to the headlights for short periods of time when stock. I have seen water pour in the windows with a snorkel. Rick over in St. Pete made up snorkels for quite a few trucks, mine included. He turned the original air canister 180 degrees so that the intake pipe was facing the rear firewall. Extend the pipe through the firewall and install a elbow and then route the pipe to where you feel it looks good. Many are routed through the passenger wall near the antenna mount on the K models. Mine is just routed up the cage behind my head and breaths cabin air. The reduction in noise was huge. I thought that it would increase but it went down quite a bit. No loss of top end power or change in gas mileage, and the filter stays clean much longer!! You will have to seal up the distributer O ring with some RVT but other than that you will be good. I have dunked mine for at least 30 seconds with the water past the alt without issues. Do not forget to always check all of the fluids for water intrusion when you are done so that you wont have any issues.

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:54 pm

Profpinz has drowned his and has since made the best custom snorkle you will see!

Gee's mate, I don't know if it lives up to that claim, but thanks for the endorsment!

Jan: As "ScottishPinz" said I have drowned my Pinny a few times (particularly as mine had the factory standard option of a front mounted snorkel) and I found when I dropped into deep bogholes, or when you ford deep water and get up a bow wave etc that the air-intake could go under.

I researched the options available and settled on the standard TD type fitment of an intake grille on the side.
(I didn't like the "optional" TD side mounted precleaner as I thought it was too vunerable to damage from trees etc)

A few early pics of the snorkel are at:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/profpinz/mo ... norkel.htm

I have since finished the installation and it has been functioning successfully for many years.
I find it quite unobtrusive and really the only inpingement on the cabin area is the flexible pipe at the back of the right hand front seat that leads from a hole cut in the engine cover just under the air filter to the plenum/back of the grille, which is effectively behind the drivers head (well in a RHD vehicle

).

I haven't opted to fit breather tubes etc to the diffs or other components, but do change the oil and fluids regularly (not that anything really gets in) ..... howver don't forget to pull the bellhousing drainplug if playing in water etc

pinzinator · Post by **pinzinator** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:31 pm

I've never had my Pinz in the water, and probably never will here in the desert. My worry about going into water is what does it do to the cooling fan? I would expect to lose a few blades on a sudden impact with water. Second, it can't do a hot engine and exhaust system any good to suddenly be cooled with water. Any experiences here?

russ · Post by **russ** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:40 pm

Never broke a fan and I've been in lots of water. Fan just slips and alternator light comes on. Water on exhaust is probably no worse than driving through a deep puddle. As Wayne said, seal up the bottom of the distributor air holes with RTV and it will stay dry in pretty deep water.

Here is a pic of Rick's snorkel in action:

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:00 pm

My worry about going into water is what does it do to the cooling fan?

When the fan goes underwater, the drop in cabin noise is amazing!

.... but you keep going!
I've never done any damage to the motor or components by "dunking" them in water!

GenevaPinz · Post by **GenevaPinz** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:17 am

Thanks a lot for all the input!!

I have seen the snorkel detail pictures from older threads (Profpinz's and Russ's), which are really well executed. I am still a bit shy about drilling big holes in my "new" truck sheetmetal, but that might well change with a bit of time

Profpinz wrote:howver don't forget to pull the bellhousing drainplug if playing in water etc

You will need to enlighten my mechanically-challenged mind about this one... I didn't even notice there is a drainplug for the bellhousing.

The picture from Florida is great... I didn't know the swiss army had submarines...

Jan

McCall Pinz · Post by **McCall Pinz** » Thu May 29, 2008 4:07 pm

Geneva- I returned from Switzerland with 2 of the Gut Automobile snorkel kits and will be installing them soon and posting pictures. The intake piece that goes into the rollbar is from MagnaSteyr and is similar to the one that ProfPinz has.