Water in transmission systems---How come?

[CHASTER]

I have read a few horror stories about what happens to axles, gearboxes, tranfer boxes etc when water gets in during "significant" wading.
There are often floods or mighty big puddles in country areas which I regularly travel into.
When surfing through all this water I often think about these accounts and wonder what is getting into where on the transmission train. However, all seems well so far--no 'orrible noises.
After looking at pictures of the transmission bits it SEEMS that the air breathers are not just holes , as I supposed, but they look like purposeful one-way valve type things. Surely on vehicles like ours the manufacturers would have allowed for air breathers with precautions against water ingress into gearboxes etc. After all; there's oil in there and if water entered the oil would float out.
I've never been underneath to examine these breathers, nor had the chance to study one,
Has anyone any clues as to whether they are supposed to be water traps, valves, stoppers or whatever :?:
It seems hard to believe that purpose built 4 x 4s are so vulnerable to water damage just by drivers innocently going in, or splashing water above breather levels .
Look forward to some reassurances :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

[tommo]

hi CHASTER
The breathers on these cars are well up to the job. I have a TD but i should imagine the tdi would not be to different.
The front axle and gear box breathers join i to one and run all the way up in to the engine bay near the bulk head on the drivers side. The rear one has a pipe coming out of the diff running in to the round cross member just under the boot floor. I have extended this one all the way up to the fuel filler cap on the inside of the wing, I have been off roading my car now for two years and have not had a problem with water getting in the axles or gearbox.

 

[jace]

the wading depth on my navara is 450 mm or 18" ive gone deeper than this and now diff rumbling like good un extend your breather or itll happen to u

 

[CHASTER]

TOMMO and JACE.
Thanks for the info and tips. That's the great benefit of being a member. Someone's always got the knowledge.
Had a quick look under there already and can see the breather pipes. The things which I saw on diagrams were obviously the adaptors to fasten hoses to.
Shall definately be checking lengths and extending if necessary.
Also; I should have had more faith in Nissan.

Sorry about your bad luck with the water jace ! Will try not to do same.Sounds expensive.

 

[jace]

just been letting it rumble changed oil as soon as realised it was getting noisy "change/repair it soon" lol

 

[JonathanM]

What breathers are fitted depends on the age/model of vehicle as well.

My 2001 wagon has a breather from the front diff that extends into the engine bay on the passenger side.

The gearbox & transfer box breathers join under the car on the drivers side and again extend into the engine bay on the drivers side.

The rear axle just had a small "flap" type breather on the upper side of the casing, drivers side. I got rid of this and ran poly tubing along the drivers side chassis rail & into the engine bay.

Remember though that if you have a dodgy seal then water & contaminants might still get into the oil even with extended breathers.