This is about the normal maximum wading depth to be tackled, as seen from the back
.. and the front. Water which is too deep is a major danger
Off-Roading Know-How
In this part everyone's favourite subject - wading
Everyone who owns a four-wheel drive vehicle enjoys splashing through water. But before taking to it, always stop firsts, get out and check the depth. This is very important. In other words, look before you leap.
The maximum wading depth for a Series Land Rover, Defender, Discovery or Range Rover Classic is 500mm (about 20 inches), which is the underside of the top of the tyre, to the tope of the rim. Exceeding this depth could be asking for real problems. In the case of a petrol-engined vehicle, water could easily kill the high tension associated with the coil, distributor and plug leads.
A diesel-engined vehicle does not suffer from this problem. However, in either case, should water be splashed into the air intake, then catastrophe will come upon you in a split second.
This is about the normal maximum wading depth to be tackled, as seen from the back |
.. and the front. Water which is too deep is a major danger |
Water would be sucked up immediately into the top of the engine, via the turbo or inlet manifold, and into the combustion chambers above the pistons.
Whereas air is compressible, water certainly is not, and you don't need much water to 'hydraulic' an engine. In extreme cases, the connecting rods between the crankshaft and the pistons could bend and snap with an alarming force, which could send one or more of them out through the side of the engine block. Result - a totally wrecked engine.
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(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006