Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems?
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Le Mans Master
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From: Northern Ca
Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems?
I'm hearing alot about hydrolock and am wondering if this is a significant problem or something endemic to modded systems.
TC
TC
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Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (teeceemv)
I have a bottom breathing Vortex and I don't worry too much. with a stock setup, ride away, it'd be covered anyway :D
Mark
Mark
Burning Brakes
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (Mean Green 2000)
No matter what set up, you're covered under your car insurance. Hydrolocking a stock or non-stock car is not covered under warranty. I've got the Halltech and drive it no matter what the weather conditions are in Dallas. I haven't had any problems, but I also haven't driven through any deep puddles or lakes. :cheers:
[Modified by RajunCajun2001, 2:33 PM 9/9/2001]
[Modified by RajunCajun2001, 2:33 PM 9/9/2001]
Melting Slicks
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From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (teeceemv)
An insurance company does not have to cover damage caused by a modification to a vehicle. When the insurance companies learn what GM has know for 3 years, they also will not cover this damage.
Pro
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From: Columbia, SC, USA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (teeceemv)
TC, It appears that it is a problem on all of the cars prior to the Z06 intake manifold. Condensation causes the problem. Z06 manifold doesn't appear to have this problem.
Melting Slicks
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From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (vette-crazy)
Condensation is not causing hydrolocking. Any engine is a huge powerful vacumn cleaner. When you put it's air intake below water level, it will suck it up, period. My dealer in So FL has replaced many engines because people drive through large puddles with a modified air intake. The front radiator shroud funnels water up to any cold air intake.
In a cast iron block, you might bend a rod. In the LS1, it's rods and pistons punching holes out the side of the block.
I have a Donalson air intake. It is a safe intake as long as you add a hood seal and avoid large puddles. There is no huge HP advantage going to a "cold air" system. The myth that cold air system pressurise the intake is pure marketing BS. The majority of air flows through the radiator which offers very little resistance and thus is effectively a big hole in the "scoop".
In a cast iron block, you might bend a rod. In the LS1, it's rods and pistons punching holes out the side of the block.
I have a Donalson air intake. It is a safe intake as long as you add a hood seal and avoid large puddles. There is no huge HP advantage going to a "cold air" system. The myth that cold air system pressurise the intake is pure marketing BS. The majority of air flows through the radiator which offers very little resistance and thus is effectively a big hole in the "scoop".
Team Owner
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Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (vette-crazy)
I can't speak for all insurance policies, but having extensive experience with policies from a number of insurers, I can state that I have seen no policies that would exclude hydrolocking just because of the mods. Yes, the mods themselves would not be covered (to the extent they cost more than the stock pieces), but the other damage would still be covered. However, to be sure, read the exclusions under the Comprehensive portion of your policy!
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (Duck916)
On a stock C5 system Hydrolocking is not too likely. However, if you drive in deep enough water you can suck some in. GM learned their lesson with the early L98 engines in the C4s. The 85 and 86 models were subject to hydrolocking while the 87 through 91s had a little baffle inserted below the air cleaner that prevented hydrolocking when driving through puddles several inches deep.
Bill
Bill
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Drifting
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (99HT)
You really have to move through some serious water to hydrolock a C5 with most bottom breathers.
Something like a Vortex or a ProFlow+ places the filter at least two feet off the ground. If you submerge that filter, you have other problems. A K&N type oil based filter will repel water better than a paper element. You should have no issues with stock, unless 3/4 of your hood is underwater.
I diagree about the lack of advantage of bottom feeders. For one, the air getting to the filter is significantly cooler than air obtained from within the engine bay. Second, the air is moderatly pressurized at speed and every bit helps.
Mike
[Modified by Mike Schriber, 3:13 AM 9/10/2001]
Something like a Vortex or a ProFlow+ places the filter at least two feet off the ground. If you submerge that filter, you have other problems. A K&N type oil based filter will repel water better than a paper element. You should have no issues with stock, unless 3/4 of your hood is underwater.
I diagree about the lack of advantage of bottom feeders. For one, the air getting to the filter is significantly cooler than air obtained from within the engine bay. Second, the air is moderatly pressurized at speed and every bit helps.
Mike
[Modified by Mike Schriber, 3:13 AM 9/10/2001]
Safety Car
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From: Greenville NC
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (99HT)
Condensation is not causing hydrolocking.
Drifting
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From: INDIANA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (teeceemv)
Excuse my ignorance, but how can the air temp (cold air system) of air taken from just in front of the radiator be any cooler than the air taken from the area a couple of inches behind the front bumper??
Safety Car
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From: Greenville NC
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (LT1GMC)
Excuse my ignorance, but how can the air temp (cold air system) of air taken from just in front of the radiator be any cooler than the air taken from the area a couple of inches behind the front bumper??
Melting Slicks
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From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (ncvetteman)
Amazing....
I guess the fact that any hydrolocked engine my dealer has had to repair, had nothing to do with the big puddle the car was driven through prior to the engine locking up. It was always condensation.
I guess the fact that any hydrolocked engine my dealer has had to repair, had nothing to do with the big puddle the car was driven through prior to the engine locking up. It was always condensation.
Tech Contributor
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Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (99HT)
If you hit a 6 inch puddle at 20 or more you will get enough water jammed up into the radiator cavity that it can get to the filter. And it will have a lot of force. Just think how far cars throw water to the side and thats not the only direction it goes in. They also throw water to the front. When it goes to the front you drive right into it with the nose of the car. That was the problem on the C4. Water would come up through a small slit between the front cross member and the radiator shroud and get into the air cleaner that was sitting on top of the shroud like the C5 air cleaner does. So if water can go through that little slit on a C4 and then into the slots on the front of the air cleaner and hydrolock the engine it can definitely happen with a bottom breather Air Cleaner on a C5.
Bill
Bill
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Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (ncvetteman)
I highly doubt that the temperature variance is 30+ degrees.... what a lot of these manufacturers do when they measure their cold-air systems is use a vette that's obviously sitting on a dyno, as this is the only true way to measure the HP....but the car has been sitting there, and so obviously it'll soak up hotter air right? when a car is on the street, it's not sitting in one spot for more than 3 min., so it's constantly getting a fresh supply of air...i think the temperatur difference, if any, would be less than 2 degrees...
Drifting
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (teeceemv)
The air in the engine compartment is typicaly warmer than outside air. In moderate temperatures, a warmed up engine could be 20 degrees or more warmer than ambient. In a road racing enviornment, it can push 30 degrees or more.
The cavity under the nose is designed to move air over the radiator. Drawing intake air from the same location feeds the engine with cooler, slightly pressurized air.
A six inch puddle is pretty deep for a C5 at one mile per hour, let alone twenty. Heck, six inches is higher than my rocker panels by two inches! I guess if your C5 is a daily driver, you have no choice, but it's not what I would consider a deep water capable vehicle.
Condensation could be a factor in very humid air with big temperature swings, but I've never heard it sited as a cause for hydrolock before (in my experience). It takes a decent amount of liquid water (not vapor) to hydrolock an engine.
Mike
The cavity under the nose is designed to move air over the radiator. Drawing intake air from the same location feeds the engine with cooler, slightly pressurized air.
A six inch puddle is pretty deep for a C5 at one mile per hour, let alone twenty. Heck, six inches is higher than my rocker panels by two inches! I guess if your C5 is a daily driver, you have no choice, but it's not what I would consider a deep water capable vehicle.
Condensation could be a factor in very humid air with big temperature swings, but I've never heard it sited as a cause for hydrolock before (in my experience). It takes a decent amount of liquid water (not vapor) to hydrolock an engine.
Mike
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From: Greenville NC
Re: Hydrolock - Is this a real problem with stock systems? (Xx1QuIcKcOiNhOlDeRxx)
I highly doubt that the temperature variance is 30+ degrees.... what a lot of these manufacturers do when they measure their cold-air systems is use a vette that's obviously sitting on a dyno, as this is the only true way to measure the HP....but the car has been sitting there, and so obviously it'll soak up hotter air right? when a car is on the street, it's not sitting in one spot for more than 3 min., so it's constantly getting a fresh supply of air...i think the temperatur difference, if any, would be less than 2 degrees...
