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How much water causes hydrolock?

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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 12:25 AM
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Default How much water causes hydrolock?

Since the topic of hydrolock comes up here about every other week, I was wondering just how much water it takes to lock up the engine. A drop? A teaspoon? A cup? A gallon?

Thanks. :seeya
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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 12:33 AM
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Default Re: How much water causes hydrolock? (WildKarrde)

Good question and I don't have the answer...but of your options, I'd say that one gallon would do it!!! :D :D :D
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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 12:42 AM
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Default Re: How much water causes hydrolock? (WildKarrde)

Enough to fill the combustion chamber volume at TDC. TYpically, about 60 CCs into one cylinder, or around 500 CCs overall. While 60 CCs poured into one cylinder during one piston stroke could do it, while the engine is running you can run a surprising amount of water through the engine. We used to do a cheap decarbonization trick by slowly pouring water into the carb as the car was running--we'd pour it in about as fast as you'd pour beer into a glass trying to avoid a head--and we never had a problem.

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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 01:48 AM
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Default Re: How much water causes hydrolock? (WildKarrde)

Hopefully, I'll never find out the hard way.... :cheers:
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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 11:29 AM
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Default Re: How much water causes hydrolock? (Duck916)

Enough to fill the combustion chamber volume at TDC. TYpically, about 60 CCs into one cylinder, or around 500 CCs overall. While 60 CCs poured into one cylinder during one piston stroke could do it, while the engine is running you can run a surprising amount of water through the engine. We used to do a cheap decarbonization trick by slowly pouring water into the carb as the car was running--we'd pour it in about as fast as you'd pour beer into a glass trying to avoid a head--and we never had a problem.
Duck916,

Yep, run water through lots of engines by pouring from a pop bottle down the throat of a carburator. :yesnod:


WildKarrde,

The question is not "how much" but, "how fast" the water enters the combustion chamber. Being uncompressible, you reach a point where if he water is add too fast, either something will break or the engine will stall.

Good luck.
Mark


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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 11:33 AM
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Default Re: How much water causes hydrolock? (MDT)

Good point on the speed of the water entry!
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