How well sealed are transmission, differentials, CV, transfer case, etc from water?

[GoHack]

Good Morning,

I live in Southern California and going into work early this morning, it was still dark, so I didn't see it, I hit a large puddle of water left by the recent storm. The vehicle certainly got a nice wash that's for damn sure.
If anything, the front got the brunt. I wasn't going that fast.

Anyone know just how well sealed the 7 spd m/t, the front/rear differentials, CV's, and the transfer case are from water, when it comes to the breathers?

After work this afternoon, I intend to take a good spin on the highway in order to dry out everything, including the CV's and universals, just in case.

No leakage via my soft-top though that I can tell.

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[Mlarv]

Post number ten has your answer. Straight from the owners manual.

I wouldn't worry about going for a long drive after going though water on the road, unless it was higher then the center of your tires for a long ways.

Water Fording

 

[Maine Explorer]

I'm not an expert at all so do your own research but from what I've read one of the biggest issues comes from temp change. If you dunk those things and they cool off they can pull in water. I'm not saying zero risk here but that's a lot of metal to fully cool off even with a big splash. Certainly do your investigation but I think this issue usually happens when they put their hot hot dif in a cold river for a minute or two crossing it.

 

[timhood]

Post number ten has your answer. Straight from the owners manual.

I wouldn't worry about going for a long drive after going though water on the road, unless it was higher then the center of your tires for a long ways.

Water Fording

Oops, I kinda broke that 4mph rule...by a lot! I'm pretty sure water didn't get anywhere near the alternator, as it seemed to go over the roof!

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

I was always told that if you have any river or wash crossings with water that is above the diffs to drain your diffs and put new fluid in to be safe. Most people do not do this, but its a good idea.

Now in the city stuff where you have flooded streets I probably wouldn't worry about it unless your axles were under water for an extended period of time. This could go for the trans as well I suppose.

Water fording depths that are stated for the specs of the bronco only tell how deep you can go without vapor locking he engine.

 

[TavisB]

Id be more worried about the air box myself.

 

[Lcubed]

Water fording depths that are stated for the specs of the bronco only tell how deep you can go without vapor locking he engine.

pretty sure the heights spec'd for fording (which are slightly deeper for the everglades) are driven by the height of axle et al breather tubes

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

pretty sure the heights spec'd for fording (which are slightly deeper for the everglades) are driven by the height of axle et al breather tubes

So the top of the breather tube in just under 3 foot? I would think they would be giving you a fording depth that prevents water from being sucked in to your engine....who cares about the breather tube....you can drain the chocolate milk from you diff....not the engine so much.

Even if the water is below your breather tubes - water can still enter the axle tube, so its wise to look for chocolate milk.

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

Id be more worried about the air box myself.

Exactly

 

[Lcubed]

So the top of the breather tube in just under 3 foot? I would think they would be giving you a fording depth that prevents water from being sucked in to your engine....who cares about the breather tube....you can drain the chocolate milk from you diff....not the engine so much.

the fording depth is top of breather tube minus whatever safety margin ford is comfortable with. wouldn't be surprised if the safety margin is several inches to account for folks who 'send it'

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

the fording depth is top of breather tube minus whatever safety margin ford is comfortable with. wouldn't be surprised if the safety margin is several inches to account for folks who 'send it'

I am gonna have to measure the breather tubes. I found it surprising the Everglades doesn't have much more than the Sasquatch - I get the Raptor because they come with 37 in tires.

 

[Area51BS]

Off rodeo instructors said water up to hubs and at a slow speed. Not pushing water.

 

[l88m22vette]

Can't someone just install like 5 feet of aquarium hose to solve the breather issues? #doubledigitbraincells

 

[Murraydog11]

Slow and steady wins the race!

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