Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

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Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Username_here on Mon, 23 Dec 2024 2:44 +0000

So I've booked a van site down El Questro station on the Gibb river road. There's one short crossing to make it in which is roughly 500mm deep. No snorkel. Am beginning to consider the possibile implications of gearbox and diff taking in water. Am I overthinking it, or is 500mm generally fine? If not - should I look into extending breathers?

Just looking now, I see the rear at maybe 500mm high.. but also reading that theoretically, driving into water cools the cases off this closing the breather valves anyway acting as a safety. Others say that's false because they're designed to take in air as it cools.. Confusing
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Rob_Wood on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 1:45 +0000

One creek crossing over the lifespan of the vehicle? Don't over think it. Get a service to check your fluids after the trip and you should be ok. Don't park in the creek, all the logical stuff.
If however this is a "TEST" trip to a future that might involve multiple creek crossings, then you might need to consider snorkel and breathers and maybe other options as well.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Username_here on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 3:44 +0000

Thanks Rob

I'd love to know how they actually work. Are they strict one way valves? Might pull one out and look.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Rob_Wood on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 5:45 +0000

Username_here wrote:Thanks Rob

I'd love to know how they actually work. Are they strict one way valves? Might pull one out and look.


If I understand it correctly, then they're a pressure equalization valve. As the use of the vehicle increases the temperature of the components, including the oil, so with increased temp comes expansion of those components, including the oil. With that expansion the pressure has to go somewhere, rather than blowing out axle and bearing seals, a breather is installed to allow the expansion to be taken away with a release of air. As the vehicle and its components cool (after use) so everything contracts again, thus the breather allows air back in.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Chopps on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 5:50 +0000

Not sure of the valve mechanism however it sounds plausible that they will close.
The next thing is your wheel hubs - they can leak in water when going from hot wheeling conditions to cold water. If you have extended breathers with the brass sintered ends or similar this help the diff breathe - but you should also enter the water slowly or let the diffs cool after driving for extended periods before water entries.
Extending breathers is cheap and relatively easy.
Get a snorkel too - much better getting cleaner and cooler air + a little peace of mind when water crossing.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Rob_Wood on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 2:01 +0000

Chopps wrote:Not sure of the valve mechanism however it sounds plausible that they will close.
The next thing is your wheel hubs - they can leak in water when going from hot wheeling conditions to cold water. If you have extended breathers with the brass sintered ends or similar this help the diff breathe - but you should also enter the water slowly or let the diffs cool after driving for extended periods before water entries.
Extending breathers is cheap and relatively easy.
Get a snorkel too - much better getting cleaner and cooler air + a little peace of mind when water crossing.


Agree completely. As for the "Get a snorkel too - much better getting cleaner and cooler air + a little peace of mind when water crossing."
Gotta say, especially on dirt roads, following other vehicles you'll notice their "CLOUD" can almost envelope you up to the top of your bullbar, snorkel gets above that. Longer distances you will probably sit further back as well so that it dissipates before you get there.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby 241steve on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 2:46 +0000

As its only a couple of water crossing yes 500mm is a worry with no snorkle but you are being carefull your not like myself a member of the breaker brouthers clan at every service they will check the diff oils for water I get diff oil every service ,service it when you get back mine drives thru lots of water in the back paddocks often it takes it. As long as you dont suck water in the intake you'll be right. Recently a couple of my mates had me up agianst the wall laughing at my soak up of things Ive replaced on my lux then they showed the list on a couple of BT50s and Rangers they work on with half the K's of mine. Just suspension diffs and brakes Ill stop crying and admit Im a TA.
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Username_here on Tue, 24 Dec 2024 6:36 +0000

Cheers guys

I've been pretty sceptical ever since taking the old 80 series through some crossings and mud. Dumped the diff oil and it was clean as a whistle.. so have always thought but a waste of time ever since

I'll crack the full tube a little after crossing and if no milkshake will just carry on. Still considering extending at least the rear breather just in case. Still don't have an answer on how much higher the others are yet but will try to find them over the break

Would consider a snorkel if driving alot of dirt roads but I'll just change the filter if it turns out it's dirty. Don't plan on being Albey Mangels
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Re: Creek crossing. What really needs looking into?

Postby Username_here on Wed, 25 Dec 2024 6:14 +0000

The two front caps are just underneath the fuel filter for anyone who might run across this in future. Around 800mm high
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