 | Home > Td5 > Snorkel & Wading and sealed air systems in TD5s |
 
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| Ianh Member Since: 17 Sep 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 2092  
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A Donaldson cyclonic pre filter fitted at the top of an RAI should stop water / rain ingress into a sealed intake system. Well unless the top of the RAI is underwater of course, but then you would be more concerned with other things at that point
Blackwolf has this setup on his sealed system, consisting of a nakatanenga RAI and nuggetstuff airbox and has stated several times he gets zero water ingress into his airbox during rain etc. https://www.4x4works.co.uk/product/donalds...high-flow/ https://www.4x4works.co.uk/product/donalds...high-flow/ |
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23rd Feb 2024 12:38am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17513 
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I can confirm that I have never yet found any wetness in my filter (wasps - deceased - yes for some reason, moisture - no). The Donaldson prefilter gets all the moisture and about 95% of the dirt (except it seems wasps) out before it ever gets to the filter housing, and the filter stays clean for a ridiculously long time.
Everything down to the wing is Nakatanenga, everything under the wing is Nugget, but it I did it again now of course the underwing bits would be Allisport.  Click image to enlarge |
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23rd Feb 2024 8:23am |
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 1104  
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I always understood the snorkel to avoid dust not water. That is the official wading depth? Probably bottom of the sweatbox (ecu). The factory air intake piping for sure is not waterproofed.
Personally I always find it comical when people look at my Defender assuming it can wade through waist deep water, they are quite fragile things in the long run and normal cars can actually deal with surprisingly poor terrain also. I lived in Norway for a few years, 1m snow typically and people drive normal cars, very few 4x4 (partly dt unfavourable tax regime) |
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23rd Feb 2024 11:20am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17513
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I have had mine in water up to the door handles on the outside (over my ankles inside) and the bow wave has been coming over the front wings (I've actually driven my SI 80" with water over the bonnet before now and that doesn't even have an RAI, it is all down to technique with a SI).
It isn't a particularly good idea to go that deep with a Defender and I don't recommend it, and it would have been exceptionally expensive with the standard intake since the position of this was submerged. An RAI is as good as you choose to make it. Most of the electronics on a (classic) Defender are better sealed that most folk give credit for. Do this sort of thing too often though and you will get through alternators etc at a rare due to crud ingress rather than water ingress. The last deep water I crossed was a swollen ford back last "summer". The was a little lad with his family by the ford whose face was a picture when I opened the second-row door and let the water out! 
Do not drive in ANY water if you don't know how deep it is, what the bottom surface consists of, and how fast the current is flowing. Do not drive in deep water unless you know what you are doing and are prepared for significant risk to yourself and your vehicle. Finally, if you do drive in deep water, don't do it like the retards on YouTube! |
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23rd Feb 2024 1:16pm |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192 
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Essentially all I'm after is rasing the wading depth to allow a better margin of safety. I don't want to turn it into a submarine. |
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23rd Feb 2024 1:48pm |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192
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Is yours a TDCI or TD5? it looks like your RAI is going to the TDCI airbox posiiton? Is you filter a "real" donaldson? I'm willing to give it go but at £137 it better be a big difference with £25 jobs you can get that (at least to me from pictures look identical)? |
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23rd Feb 2024 1:59pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17513
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It is a TDCi. The precleaner came with the Nak RAI system and is not a genuine Donaldson as far as I know, but is a good quality item (of German origin I think). The Nak RAI itself was not cheap by any means (but quality never is). TD5 versions are available as well.
https://www.nakatanenga.de/en/vehicle-equi...ke/snorkel https://www.nakatanenga.de/en/vehicle-equi...ing.?c=312 https://www.4x4overlander.com/product/defe...ender-td4/ |
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23rd Feb 2024 2:38pm |
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| bankz5152 Member Since: 02 Feb 2017 Location: South London/North Kent Posts: 2187 
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Youd be surprised at how deep you can go with a proper set up.
My old 110 had a 3.5" snorkel through the wingtop and a new 3.5" reinforced pipe to the factory airbox. Siliconed at both ends, airbox drain sealed. ECU in factory position just sealed to seatbox a bit better. Frequently had water up to the bonnet, as long as you have a good bow wave and do not stop itll sail through. Never had a drop of water in the seatbox or any in the airbox. Problems arise when you stop and the water can flow in. Click image to enlarge Due to the position of the intake of the snorkel on the above I have had water in the airbox before, mostly from splashing through puddles a bit quick and the water being sucked in. Solved that with a silicone hose that slides over the intake with some holes punched in it. So airs drawn in from behind. Even in my old 90 i was stuck in a puddle which was half way up the rear door, no snorkel either. The paper air filter saved the engine but not much water came into the seatbox. Admittedly a mistake, i was young and stupid and ever so lucky.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Instagram @defender_ventures Empire Tuning - Agent |
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23rd Feb 2024 4:17pm |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192
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So I now have a round "donaldson" head... It seems things are much improved, but not yet fully cured.
I think I'm OK at 65, but 70 seems to suck a bit in even in llight rain it is however much less than before to the extent it's not worth draining it. I am surprised tho that I'm not seeing any water in the bowl thing... is this normal - is it heavy stuff like sand (and wasps) that goes in there? |
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21st Mar 2024 10:55pm |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192
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After a long run up the M1 and back in the rain, I got home to find no water inthe pipes (Yay)
5 days later and it's full of water (boo) I'm pretty convinced now it's gettting in when parked now (I suspect the rubber flexi), so got it sat with a hose taped to it for 20 mins to test |
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29th Mar 2024 11:40am |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192
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So it turn's out
Click image to enlarge This is a really good way to fill up my air system with water And this is why. Now smothered in sealant and tightened at the top to improve the gasket seal at the top Click image to enlarge |
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29th Mar 2024 1:02pm |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 192
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And now I'm wondering if there's anything wrong with the scoop or original head I tried
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29th Mar 2024 1:06pm |
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| Chris86 Member Since: 15 Jul 2014 Location: South Yorks Posts: 793 
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The safari type heads are designed to be a water separator- you shouldn't be getting any in that way, we haven't in 10ish years, driving in all weather conditions- I have heard of issues with the mantec "plastic jobby" and some of the mushroom type heads managing to draw moisture from behind the air intake/head where there is a low pressure or turbulent area of airflow.
Without wanting to sound too negative, in terms of flood response- if you are getting to the stage where you are driving flood water in a TD5 and you are genuinely concerned about the ECU and air intake becoming saturated, then you are using the wrong mode of transport. At this point a boat is the appropriate device for crossing water. Chris (Former Swiftwater and Flood Rescue instructor) |
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29th Mar 2024 2:22pm |
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| 4RF RDS Member Since: 19 Jul 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 952  
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I have the Safari top and never had issues and I also do use it facing backwards. I was gonna say check your fender seal but you’ve found it. Check all your connections from the snorkel intake to the filter as well. The safari top has water egress slots down the sides and should not suck in a lot, if any, water. I have forded to the middle of my windscreen and no water in the filter 👌🏻
Good luck Click image to enlarge 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris) 2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam) 2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX) 1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy) 1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood) 1967 MGB GT Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956) |
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29th Mar 2024 4:04pm |
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