Quote:
Originally Posted by marky116
whats a wading plug!
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Tight fitting plugs that stop water/mud getting into the clutch bell housing. Hard rubber, soft rubber, brass, alloy - push in and screw in - come in a variety of types. Stops premature failure of the clutch thrust bearings. BUT can also help retain water inside the bell housing if its getting in through another unplugged hole. Should be removed after wading.
The axle breather tubes - best get them as high as possible with a U turn in the tube, the axles will suck in air when cooled rapidly in a water crossing, hence the breather extensions. I've seen a hard core off road competition vehicle with axle breather tubes inside the cab.
With most diesels you can wade to whatever depth the air intake leaks at - IF you can isolate electrics/electronics and dont have a self exciting alternator. If you have electronic injection stick to the makers wading depth advice. In reality its very dangerous to wade any vehicle to a depth that potentially makes it buoyant - we often see cars that drive through fast running swollen creeks that float off, roll over and the occupants drown.
The FIAT engineers would have come up with the magic 60cm depth based on a range of tests including water ingress into the cab, air cleaner position, flotation, etc etc. then probably halved it to be on the safe side.
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