and 95% of the Transits looked like they would pass a MOT test

Do I know these people.

DES

So, getting back to my original question ( ).....it's ok to have my air intake pipe down by the lower LHS grill and not worry about sucking in water when it rains?

Mine is in the same place as yours.

so's mine

You could put some drain holes in it along the lower surface .... just thinking aloud.

My ex-boss drowned his Clio once for that reason. Don't think any permanent damage was done, but it's just a question of how deep the water is and how long you're in it for.

Thanks Chaps!

Nick,

I have thought of that but wondered how air the drain holes would....errr...drain away.

servo actuated plugs coupled to a rain/water sensor?

Okay silly, but small holes would not "drain" to much air and allow small particles of water to escape, although standing water and river crossings would be out...

The lower grill slots should be fine, a bit of force feed aswell as speed increases. Above most puddle height encounters.

As an aside, for a front facing air hole, bearing in mind your filter catches most particles, what about bugs, would a pair of 10 denier tights over the front of these pipes be of benefit, if not to reduce the needless killing of this wildlife?

Would 10 denier by fine enough?

The holes should be small enough to allow water to escape and not too much air. The air will be at ambient pressure anyway - OK so you'll get a bit of ram effect, but you shouldn't lose much via the drain holes. Don't forget the engine is sucking in air like a good 'un all this time, assisted by the turbo.

It might even be possible to invent a centrifugal filter with some suitable baffling, but not sure how much of a restriction that would create. Helicopters adapted for desert use have centrifugal filters which chuck the sand out of holes around the circumference of the intake. BBT.