neildon Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I was just trawling through ebay to see if anything exciting was on there that I might just need. I came across an axle breather kit. Do I need to have one of these fitted or is it just one of those items that are out there to get you to buy it but you dont really need it. Im off on the Mac 4x4 in March and have no idea what that entails. For the sake of a few pounds I dont want to be having watery problems, so is it a worthy investment? Are there other wading issues I may need to protect my 90 from? Thank you. Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suggs Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 i would defo fit breathers if your going through any deep water also use wading plugs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbeast Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 get em and save yourself problems further down the line, as suggested, get a wading kit for your engine too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neildon Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 thanks for that. i'd better get them sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I'm sure this has been covered before (well worth a search on here) as you just need to buy some pipe and fittings, thats what I did anyway and its a lot cheaper than the so called 'kits'! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 If last year's Mac 4x4 is anything to go by you won't need breathers, deepest water I encountered was a 3" puddle. The off road elements were very tame, hopefully this year the off road sections will be more "challenging", as a number of complaints were made I believe. As already stated, it's worth fitting raised breathers for future peace of mind and to remove the element of doubt when you can't resist a water crossing! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 but your vehicle will already have std breathers. it depends on what you want to do. if you have no snorkel then leave the std breathers. if you intend going deeper than 0.5m then raise the breathers and get a snorkel for piece of mind. if your going in over the bonnet then raise the breathers to the same height as the snorkel top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neildon Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 I had a snorkel fitted when I had the engine replaced. I doubt the garage would have made the effort and run the axle breathers to the snorkel for me would they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I just fitted a breather kit from ebay, cost around £25, but for the hassle of getting the bits it's easier in the long run. The kits should come with replacement breathers for the front and rear axles, replacement breathers for the gearbox and transfer case and new breathers to fit the bell housing and timing case which remove the need for wading plugs I fitted mine and ran the lines up to the snorkel, fit and forget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 and new breathers to fit the bell housing and timing case which remove the need for wading plugs Incorrect. They may use the wading plug thread, or not, but they do not replace the dual functions a wading plug serves... Push-fit hose and connectors are available at any pneumatics/hydraulics type outfit, as well as ebay. recently i bought 10 1/4" to 6mm push-fits for pence each, with free delivery. That makes a 25 quid kit look like a complete rip-off!! It amazes me that people will default to spending money on a 'kit' when plenty of good advice provided on this forum for free will save pounds, and cost nothing more than a search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinv8 Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I had a snorkel fitted when I had the engine replaced. For peace of mind before entering deep water make sure you regulary check that your snorkel has no leaks. To do this then take the top off whilst engine running and with the palm of your hand put it over the open top. Your hand should be nearly sucked into the snorkel and the engine start to stall due to the lack of available air. If it keeps running then you have a leak somewhere that needs blocking, else thats where water will enter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Incorrect. They may use the wading plug thread, or not, but they do not replace the dual functions a wading plug serves... I only bought the kit as it was the first thing I bought for the landy along with the snorkel, I needed to make sure I had good wading kit before I went to Wales during that severe weather we had a few months back. I always go for the most economic option normally Could you explain what you mean by the wading plugs? I have breathers permenantly coming off the two current holes, is this wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britishnick Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 recently i bought 10 1/4" to 6mm push-fits for pence each, with free delivery. Can anyone confirm the sizes please. I agree with LandyManLuke - you can find various fittings on line quite cheaply, along with the piping. Anybody given much thought to 90deg swivel fittings vs. recessed fittings ? Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Threads on my axles are 1/8" BSP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Anybody given much thought to 90deg swivel fittings vs. recessed fittings ? I used 90 deg fittings (bought off ebay) as you can then cable tie the breather pipe (also bought of ebay) to the axle out of harms way. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwcooper Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I only bought the kit as it was the first thing I bought for the landy along with the snorkel, I needed to make sure I had good wading kit before I went to Wales during that severe weather we had a few months back. I always go for the most economic option normally Could you explain what you mean by the wading plugs? I have breathers permenantly coming off the two current holes, is this wrong? At the bottom of the bell housing and timing case (both at the lowest point) there is a threaded hole, normally there is a threaded plug that goes in when wading and then it needs to be taken off once you have finished your trip A) to let the water out which can still get in B) the hole is there to let oil out from destroying the clutch and timing belt. Thats why having push fit connectors isnt the best of ideas, however all you need to do is pull the tube off every so often and check there is no oil. HTH Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 At the bottom of the bell housing and timing case (both at the lowest point) there is a threaded hole, normally there is a threaded plug that goes in when wading and then it needs to be taken off once you have finished your trip A) to let the water out which can still get in B) the hole is there to let oil out from destroying the clutch and timing belt. Thats why having push fit connectors isnt the best of ideas, however all you need to do is pull the tube off every so often and check there is no oil. HTH Dave. Ah ok, I understand you know. I have breathers on both said points. I leave them disconnected for normal road use though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britishnick Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Threads on my axles are 1/8" BSP Hmmm, anyone have any tips on how to tell if they are 1/8" or 1/4" on a Defender - 91 Reg. Does it change by chassis or axle number ? Or will I just have to get off my christmas and new year enhanced butt and take one out and measure it.... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Clean around and remove the existing breather fitting, then measure the outside thread diameter. Should be about 9 or 10mm for a 1/8" BSP fitting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_standard_pipe_thread#Pipe_thread_sizes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Threads on my axles are 1/8" BSP Yup, 1/8" BSP (on pre-td5 axles at least?), and 1/4" BSP for 'boxes, as already posted on the forum. I have used 90 degree connectors to keep the pipe closer to the axle. straight connectors would put a large loop in the pipe. I believe td5 axles have push fit connectors in as standard? can anyone confirm or deny this? Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britishnick Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Lots of good info on here chaps - but just to confirm what I am reading; I need breathers fittings for the front and rear axles, gearbox and transfer case. I need wading plugs for the bell housing and the timing case Pipe to take the breathers to the highest point (above the expected water line). Please let me know if I have missed anything, Cheers Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Yes, although it is easier to use breathers on the timing case and bellhousing, just remember to drain them every so often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwcooper Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Lots of good info on here chaps - but just to confirm what I am reading; I need breathers fittings for the front and rear axles, gearbox and transfer case. I need wading plugs for the bell housing and the timing case Pipe to take the breathers to the highest point (above the expected water line). Please let me know if I have missed anything, Cheers Nick You can get a breather for the timing chest too, but its not essential. Like the one on the left here All the bits can be bought here too here The manifold is sold on that website too, so you can join all the axles and gearbox together and have only the one pipe going up the snorkle which is much more tidy. Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike4444244 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 If concerned about leaks into the bellhousing/timing chest being hidden by breather pipe theres no reason why you can't use transparent pipe, then a visaul check will tell you what flavour fluid has decided to pour out this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 TD5s have crappy push fit plastic fittings Gwyn Lewis sells 90degree push fit metal ones far superior. page2 shows them on mine: http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=46500&st=20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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