Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

So I'm bored at work and I was doing some Delica thinking... then I did some Delica searching, but ultimately I couldn't find anything in the 5 min plowing through the forum.

I was curious if, at what height, does a mechanically stock Delica start having issues with water crossings/general fording. Assuming there's no shorts and wear/abuse issues. I know the air intake is rather high. So that takes care of breathing water, to a certain height that is. Is there a limiting height?

...

I guess what I'm really asking is what depths of sustained water, can a Delica get through? (going slow and not pushing up alot of water) What fordings have you successfully crossed?


No MardyDelica, I'm not thinking of going boating with the Jasper... it was just a curiosity brought on by alot of bored-at-work.

Cheers!

I've read somewhere on the board that the stock max water height should be no higher than the top of the tires, but people have gone higher, especially with a lift.

I've had mine past the tires (31's) rocking around on stones under the water.

I wouldn't go higher than that because the intake runs along that line. You can follow it on the driver's side if you look in the wheel well.

Few things to consider too while fjordin' :

Before :

- extend air intake above water level
- differential, t-case, transmission breathers (extend past water level) *important*
- seal electrical components and timing cover

After :

- drain/flush/fill front & rear differential and transfer case fluids. (I do tranny as well)
- check for water intrusion through body panels/plugs/door jams and seals
- blow out sand/mud from rear drums and reassembly hardware
- inspect axle seals
- inspect engine/electrical components

There's other stuff too, but I don't think you'll be unimogging your Delica.

I've water locked an engine (not fun) , blew a xcase and a set of diffs because I didn't follow the above rules.

I've done enough boating with a truck in my time to get these things down right.

If you follow these, you'll be fine. Aside from getting stuck.

Get a snorkel for your van and you can go pretty deep (up to snorkel height). I've seen on Youtube deli's going pretty deep, but they are passing through (a couple of seconds).

I was curious if, at what height, does a mechanically stock Delica start having issues with water crossings/general fording. Assuming there's no shorts and wear/abuse issues. I know the air intake is rather high. So that takes care of breathing water, to a certain height that is. Is there a limiting height?

If you open the panel under the driver's seat you can see the air intake, that's the limiting factor, in theory. Keep that out of the water and you're good.

That said, Mystery Machine has some great photos of his Delica involved in rescue operations with water lapping at the windshield wipers, and although he does have a lift, he does not have a snorkel. Nobody understands why the Delica kept going, but he drove for quite a ways at that depth with no problems.

This thread may shed some light upon your query.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/mystery-mach ... Gloucester

In 2007 there was a major flood in the Gloucester area of England and the Mystery Machine came to the rescue of a few people. I don't think the Mystery Machine has a snorkel, as Green mentioned.

Falco.

I'd say, if you're as deep as the guy in the Suzuki, you're probably in too deep!

The intake isn't the only thing you have to worry about when submarining your Deli.

jfarsang wrote:The intake isn't the only thing you have to worry about when submarining your Deli.

true, but it is the one that will strand you in the middle of the river. the other things can be addressed later, the owner's manual lists maintenance procedures for after a stream crossing.

bcdelica, in his all-knowingness, pointed out to me a small seal on the bottom of the air filter housing.
actually its a one way valve of sorts. both mine and my father-in-law's delicas are missing them. theres just some holes. bcdelica said i shouldnt submerge without that little rubber valve. i would like to know more about that.