Date:         Thu, 16 Apr 1998 11:01:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: How deep can a Syncro go swimming?
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 10:42 PM 15/04/98 -0700, you wrote:
...
 Was there an "official" depth the Syncro
>could go before you could get in trouble?  What is the practical depth one
>should take?  I've seen some of the previous posts about wet O2 sensor
>causing the engine to run bad, but I have none right now so the lowest
>thing electrical to get wet is the distributor.  Now with a bit of silicon
>to seal it to the block and some sealant on the plug wires the next thing
>to get in trouble is the spark plugs again silicon sealant of some sort.
>The air intake is all sealed - I would have to totally submerge the engine
>before water went in the intake system.  The only weak spot I can see is
>the alternator followed by the coil.  Anyone turn their wasserboxers into
>wasserratten yet?
>
>-- David Marshall, Quesnel BC,  david@volkswagen.org --

Yes I have done major wading with VWs. The official maximum depth is (from
memory) about 30 or 40 cms.
I concur with a previous message indicating the vents of the transmission
and the viscous coupling are the limitations. (I am actually not quite sure
where they are.)
 
I remember wading with my Type 2 in Iceland up to a depth where the wave of
the water temporarily flushed over the windshield. The Type 2 did very well,
much better than some front engine 4x4 vehicles who stalled due to wet
ignition. However, after the return from Iceland I had to replace
transmission bearings because the water turned the ignition oil into slush.
I also elevated the exhaust with an appropriate hose to avoid loss of engine
power under water.

Mercedes, in their Unimogs, have pressurized their axles and transmissions
as an option to enable deeper wading depth. Now you can be creative with
your Syncro. 

The Syncro does very well in  deep water. However, when you get out of the
water expect a lot of steam from the rear. This can be a real nuisance with
the wrong wind and in difficult terrain.

cheers,

Björn



Björn Ratjen

1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD
(1982 Vanagon Diesel)
1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)