TD5 axle water ingress

[thermidorthelobster]

I posted this a while back but never got to the bottom of it;  so trying again...

4 times now I've had water ingress in the front axle of my TD5, manifested by the water boiling and spraying emulsion out of the breather.

I have extended breathers, and it happens when I've not been wading for some time, so I don't think it's a breather issue.

The oil doesn't seem to be getting out anywhere, but water sure is getting in.

Any suggestions?

[extreme90]

isnt there seals at the end of the axle tube
IIRC the cv join is exposed isnt it ?
try pressurising the axle casing under a low pressure and see if you can find a leak
if it is possable can you submerge the axle and do it whilst its underwater and have a look, ok you might get wet but is easier than listening or squirting it with water around all the seals, joints ect ect
dan

[davidlandy]

are the extended breathers blocked?  and check the union on the axle top to make sure its not clagged up.

[thermidorthelobster]

The breathers are fine, they breathe very well when the water starts to boil! :)

I might end up having to spray water around with a pressure hose after I've drained the oil out.  But if anybody's already sussed it out it would save me some hassle...

[Range Rover Blues]

Sounds like an awful lot of water if it's boiling up like that.

And boiling :shock:

[chuggaman]

a warm axle underwater will attract water ingress like vodka to a russian..

check your pinion bearing oil seal first

mike