Can I increase my cars wading depth?
Discussion
I know I can go out a buy a 4x4 and attach a snorkel but I am quite fond of my lacetti snotter for some reason and would like to see if there are any options available.
Oddball answers welcome. Musing whether fitting a cheap aftermarket filter will raise the air intake as the OEM monstrosity looks like it plumbs down into the depths of the bottom of the front bumper situated ideally to suck up half of the river Severn.
Also playing with the idea of doing some drilling, welding and cutting to fit a diy snorkel but I don't really fancy the strange looks and onslaught of stupid questions comments.
It's a snotter so nothing is out of the question with regards to cosmetics as long as it still works but cost is a factor as I won't be shelling out for a 4" lift all round even if such a thing is possible.
Oddball answers welcome. Musing whether fitting a cheap aftermarket filter will raise the air intake as the OEM monstrosity looks like it plumbs down into the depths of the bottom of the front bumper situated ideally to suck up half of the river Severn.
Also playing with the idea of doing some drilling, welding and cutting to fit a diy snorkel but I don't really fancy the strange looks and onslaught of stupid questions comments.
It's a snotter so nothing is out of the question with regards to cosmetics as long as it still works but cost is a factor as I won't be shelling out for a 4" lift all round even if such a thing is possible.
Water into the air intake is the only thing that might actually kill the car so raising the inlet in any way makes sense. Anything else to keep water out of the electrics and upholstery is a bonus. I find either Vaseline or silicon sealant( which depends on how permanent you want the waterproofing)round anything you want to keep dry works well.
Strip the off the plastic airbox tubing fit a cheap universal mushroom filter high up use some flexi hose if need be to position it somewhere sensible and maybe get some thin ally sheet and bend it into shape to protect from up splash and cable tie it in ( or wedge it in) a proper bodge!
rallycross said:
Strip the off the plastic airbox tubing fit a cheap universal mushroom filter high up use some flexi hose if need be to position it somewhere sensible and maybe get some thin ally sheet and bend it into shape to protect from up splash and cable tie it in ( or wedge it in) a proper bodge!
This is what my simple mind was grasping at really. Was just googling it all and a cheap ten quid cone filter off amazon (prefer it to ebay for some reason, though too much choice) plus a bodged thin sheet metal heat/splash shield somehow secured in place (zip-ties come to mind).Oh bugger just ordered a ten quid cone filter thing off amazon and just though could I have just removed the water hoover also known as the OEM air filter and plastics and just zip tied a face cloth over the tube. Sounds technically proficient enough for me.
Edited by pimping on Monday 10th February 20:23
In world war 2 they devised a way of waterproofing the petrol engines of Bedford QL 4x4 trucks so they could be driven off the front of landing craft into the sea and keep running. They used to put a long snorkel on the carb intake, and wrap up all the electrical system in a waterproof putty to stop it shorting. It worked really well apparently, they even made one with the cab raised on a frame and extended the controls to raise the driver up. Got a picture in a book at work of one being driven through a river that's about 10 feet deep with just the driver sticking up out of the water, the rest of the truck being submerged 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-LAND-ROVER-DISCOVER...
OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
divetheworld said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-LAND-ROVER-DISCOVER...
OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
Nice, very nice. But how do I fit that to my lacetti?OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
Wading any car is a bad idea.
Water gets into "sealed" (ho - ho - ho) wheel bearings, starter motors, gearbox bell housings, suspension components like balljoints, any imperfectly sealed CV joints and steering racks, low level electrics, and so much more. Sadly it goes in under the positive water pressure, but does not come out when there is none to push it out!
Fording whatever it is you want to ford does not mean much, it's what happens 6 or more months down the line that will remind you of just how bad an idea that was.
Water gets into "sealed" (ho - ho - ho) wheel bearings, starter motors, gearbox bell housings, suspension components like balljoints, any imperfectly sealed CV joints and steering racks, low level electrics, and so much more. Sadly it goes in under the positive water pressure, but does not come out when there is none to push it out!
Fording whatever it is you want to ford does not mean much, it's what happens 6 or more months down the line that will remind you of just how bad an idea that was.
pimping said:
divetheworld said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-LAND-ROVER-DISCOVER...
OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
Nice, very nice. But how do I fit that to my lacetti?OK, not what you asked for but.....Job done for you.
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