Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

deep water crossings

Trailblazer and Envoy related, but not off-road related...

by rjpoog1989 » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:15 am

I took my tb to jiffy lube to get an oil change, and they also changed the transfer case fluid, which they claimed was extremely mukky. My uncle told me it could be due to going through water up the the axles which could cause the transfer case to get water logged. I do go though deep water quite a bit to go hunting because my cabin is on one side of a river and the mountain where I hunt is on the other side. This is why I own a truck so I can cross the river. So my question is what other problems should I worry about when crossing the river, other than the obvious (not going in too deep to avoid getting water in the intake)

What other problems have yunz faced with going through water, and how deep of water have yunz gone though.
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by Gordinho80 » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:20 am

Have you relocated your breather valves?
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by rjpoog1989 » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:38 am

Gordinho80 wrote:Have you relocated your breather valves?


Just put it on my to do list...
I went in a little too deep this time and am guessing this caused my issue...
transfer case fluid needed changed anyway so it didn't hurt my feelings...
and also, only went to jiffy-lube cuz I've been buzy with the holidays, would have saved a bundle doing it myself...
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by The Roadie » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:39 am

How far above your door sills are the water crossings you've been doing?

The tranny, transfer case, and both diffs have breather tubes that extend a bit above normal expected water depths. I'd be shocked if the transfer case had water in it and you hadn't already been taking on a lot of water through your door seals.

How many miles, and have you been changing the transfer case fluid every 50K as required. And using GM Auto Trak II fluid only?

You should get both diffs and your tranny serviced if you really had water in the TC. Did they display the fluid to you before you decided to get the service done? Or did you ask them to do it because it was time?

Over about 2 feet of water, and you have to worry about the exact speed you go at to avoid hydrolocking the engine. A few members have done it.
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by rjpoog1989 » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:45 am

vehicle had 60k on it and I asked them to change it because it was time. The water was about an inch or two about the door seals.
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by rgraboske » Sun Jan 02, 2011 2:22 pm

rjpoog1989 wrote:I took my tb to jiffy lube to get an oil change, and they also changed the transfer case fluid, which they claimed was extremely mukky.


This is part of their training. They usually tell you how bad everything looks in an attempt to get you to do more with them. I had a '96 Tahoe lease in '96. The lease was a one year 12,000 mile deal for $2,400. A Jiffy Lube told me I was risking certain death by not servicing the G80 rear end at 10,000 miles :shoot:
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by Trail X » Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:37 pm

My sister was conned into changing every fluid in her 4 year old Mustang.

If they did change your transfer case fluid, make sure they used the right stuff. GM fluid only.
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by rgraboske » Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:05 pm

JamesDowning wrote:My sister was conned into changing every fluid in her 4 year old Mustang.



What, they only charged her $1,200 :lol:
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by navigator » Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:51 pm

How deep in the water can you safely mechanically go?
Un-lifted can you go until water comes in the cab?

where are the breather tubes? Is there one for each diff, the tranny and the xfer case?
If you relocate them and don't care about getting wet inside, how deep can you go then?
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by Trail X » Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:32 pm

Here's a good resource: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=46458

We also have breathers from the trans and transfer case that are not really mentioned.
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by navigator » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:06 pm

thanks James, It looks like the lowest is about 31 inches that would be over the top of my tires and well into the cab.
How bad does the cab leak if underwater. I figure as much air noise as we get that it would get pretty wet in there :-)
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by Trail X » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:17 pm

I haven't had water pass my seals, but others have.

Keep the seals greased and it should help things.
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by fishsticks » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:18 pm

I've had some come past my driver's door seal... it just barely wet the carpet.
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by rjpoog1989 » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:50 pm

Just to follow up on this. I checked all the fluids personally after this, no water in any of them. I've had small amounts of water come in the doors, but nothing serious.
I have yet to relocate the breather tubes, but it's on my to do list, it's a long list completely ruined by college tuition... And apparently the state is cutting funding for Penn State and a major tuition increase is expected :cry: I have three more semesters because I decided to double major... Piss poor move on my part...
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by navigator » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:50 am

it looks like moving the breather tubes is a free mod man. Even if you had to buy a fitting or more hose it would be cheaper than getting the fluid to change one yourself.

Next time you have maint work to do read up on here or the trailvoy forum on how to do it yourself.
If you don't have any tools you can buy tools cheaper than hiring work done.
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by janesy86 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:55 am

Yea the relocations are a couple of zipties...
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by irishboy02 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:47 pm

Penn State eh? I used to go there (Berks) and all my old roommates are now up at main, this is blue and white weekend i believe no?

Door seals will be ok as long as you keep your momentum. If you start to slow down you will get a little bit. If you come to a complete stop, you will see alot more and it will come it rather quick. However, if your in that deep and come to a complete stop your going to have some series problems, trust me :pale:
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by rjpoog1989 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:35 pm

It is indeed Blue and White weekend! So pumped for the game tomorrow along with all other extracurricular activities that will occur! :friday: :cheers: :friday:

I will be relocating the tubes soon, probably sometime in the summer when I have more time. I doubt I'll need to cross the river anytime soon, but before I do I'll do the relocation. Another cheap mod I plan on doing soon is a resonator delete. Once I get out of school let the mods begin! :flex dirty:
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by irishboy02 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:28 pm

Haha. I was out there on State Paddys day, it was a good time, from what i can remember. Are you at main or a satellite campus?

The relocation is actually really simple. Even better, go to your local parts shop (NAPA or whatever is out there) and get longer hosing. Pretty cheap and you can extend it a good amount. I actually just did this tday with my front diff relocate. My reason being my front diff sees alot deeper water and more often than my rear does, plus my rear is tucked up under an air pocket under my chassis. The front just chills in the engine bay on the side of the block.
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by rjpoog1989 » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:01 pm

I'm at the Main Campus! Best place in the world! :cheers: If you're ever here hit me up!

I actually don't have the TB up here with me though :( gas is to expensive to drive that son bitch up here. At $3.88 a gallon, I can barely get her out of my driveway :hissyfit: ... I have my dad's beater car up here with me. I will probably do the relocation when I get home, but will most likely procrastinate till I need it for something.
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