swimming

Evening, rookie question here. To what extent can the Jimny's engine run under water? obviously water in the intake is a no. But are the electrics exposed on top of the engine bay safe to get wet? thanks in advance

I got some videos up on utube of me driving down a river most of the time over the bonnet and for about 15 mins worked out fine here's a link to the first one should be able to watch all three if you look underneath when the video ends

I got some videos up on utube of me driving down a river most of the time over the bonnet and for about 15 mins worked out fine

I jet wash my engine after off road trips, i just leave it ticking over and it has never stalled.

It will depend on how good your electrics are, a good set of coils will be OK, old coils may well break down when wet. I would run a hose over it before you go and get it deep in a river. I unplug all the accessible connectors and give the contacts a smear with Vaseline to help keep the water out of those
If you're wading at a P&P day then you need to be aware that your brakes, clutch, UJs and almost everything else can wear quite rapidly once the pits turn to a liquid mud.

As rhinoman says, If you are driving through clear fresh running water, then you shouldn't have too many problems (unless you get swept downstream)

Silty, muddy water or salt water are a no-no. (unless it isn't your car )

Muddy water will get into the alternator and wreck it, get into the starter and wreck it, get into the clutch and wreck it, get into the swivel hubs and wreck them, get into the windscreen washer motor, and wreck it,

in short, get into (insert name of expensive part here) and wreck it.

Found out years ago. I was so proud when my little series III chug chug chugged through the muddy sinkhole that Other Boys had stalled in. The next week I wished I'd stayed at the side laughing at them when the alternator was seized, the washer didn't work, the heater fan wouldn't blow.........

Nowadays, I drive round anything that looks wet if at all possible, and I'd take an hour detour rather than go deeper than 6"

I try and avoid deep water, from my days of "play days" as above... but when 'laning sometimes we have to do deep water...

Snorkel and a full set of BigJimny breathers on mine (the blue one)

From my perspective -

Well thank you very much. i learnt the hard way from the pay and play days. my clutch is now mega heavy. can i run it through a clean river to wash it out or shall i just take it to pieces? I've never fully understood axel breathers, are they a necessity? I'm not looking to mod my jimny but just make it off-road proof if that makes sense. i've had it for 6 month now and have abused it and its starting to show. fluids are done regularly and cvs also regularly greased just the clutch is heavy and i'm slightly worried about it.
Thanks,
Lazia

Its better to drop the box and clean up the clutch, you really shouldn't wash a car in a river or stream, its illegal because there is a danger of cross-contamination.
When the axles hit the water they will cool suddenly and this causes the air in them to contract which can draw water in past the seals. The breathers allow air to be drawn in instead, the standard breathers aren't that effective so its a good upgrade.

Lazia23 wrote: my clutch is now mega heavy.

Most likely this is muck in the cable, a new cable will cure it.

When I forgot to put the wading plug in the series the damp kept rusting the clutch plate to the flywheel for weeks until all the damp had exited the bell housing.

Its just a very deep ford, I'm not going to be going any where i shouldn't be . I have a week off, week after next so I'll have a few days of under sealing, cleaning, clutch cable replacement etc. Also might borrow a machine polisher and get those damn scralches out of the laquer. I must say, you lot are much more helpful than the lot on facebook, good show.

A ford shouldn't cause any real issues as long as you don't get swept away, if your seals are in good condition then there is a danger of the Jimny floating if the water gets too deep. If it starts to go, open the doors and sink it to keep the wheels on the ground.