Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz Mountains CA
Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh!
I've been reading some about hydrolock, but just what is hydrolock?
Are C5s prone to hydrolock?
Is that why people avoid driving in the rain?
Can anything be done to hydro 'proof' the C5?
So many questions...
Are C5s prone to hydrolock?
Is that why people avoid driving in the rain?
Can anything be done to hydro 'proof' the C5?
So many questions...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Noble OK
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (EricVonZipper)
The main problem is the C5 is so low to the ground it is pretty easy to suck up water(hydrolock) into the engine. I don't know if you could make it hydrolock proof but you can make it much less prone to happen with the right set up. I run the Vortex breather which is a bottom feeder with no problems at all driving in the rain at all. You wouldn't want to go through any deep puddles that is where you run into problems. Even the stock breather will suck up water if it comes over the hood bad enough. The reason most guys don't drive their Corvette in the rain is so much time and effort is spent making them look good they don't want to get them dirty! IMO. :lol:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: Dallas,Tx.U.S.A.
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (EricVonZipper)
It happens with the bottom breather intakes(Halltech,Vortex). If you go through high enough water the intake can ingest water into the motor a freeze it up. Then its time for a new engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Grapevine Texas
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (EricVonZipper)
If your talking stock there is no problem with water ingestion by the air intake, The issue has been raised with concern for some aftermarket filter systems.
I hope this helps :)
I hope this helps :)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Retired Admin
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 46,404
Likes: 34
Founder St. Jude Fundraiser
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (Patches)
A couple of forum members prove that it is possible to ford a stream in a C5. :eek: 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque nm
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (cor99vette)
.... :eek: ...If you plan on using your vette as a Boston Whaler I would not recomend a bottom breather intake. For most of us who have used this system in realistic conditions for years don't/ haven't had any problems with hydrolock.
As long as the unit is not totally submerged to create vacumm state which would cause water ingestion your fine.
I have drove in some monsoon conditions without a hickup from the motor.
Once I turned on a street too late to realize the water depth of runoff was 3"- 4", I immediately shat thinking the car would die but instead pulled on through with just a couple of stumbles on the rpm due to air blockage from the water. Within a minute it was fine..... :yesnod: ..JM .02.. ;) ...
[Modified by evil-1, 11:19 PM 9/12/2002]
As long as the unit is not totally submerged to create vacumm state which would cause water ingestion your fine.
I have drove in some monsoon conditions without a hickup from the motor.
Once I turned on a street too late to realize the water depth of runoff was 3"- 4", I immediately shat thinking the car would die but instead pulled on through with just a couple of stumbles on the rpm due to air blockage from the water. Within a minute it was fine..... :yesnod: ..JM .02.. ;) ...
[Modified by evil-1, 11:19 PM 9/12/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (EricVonZipper)
How much water are we talking about here? A few drops? Cup full? Let's say
water sipped through my hood seal and soaked my blackwing -- could this cause
hydrolock?
water sipped through my hood seal and soaked my blackwing -- could this cause
hydrolock?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (VlackBette)
How much water are we talking about here? A few drops? Cup full? Let's say
water sipped through my hood seal and soaked my blackwing -- could this cause
hydrolock?
water sipped through my hood seal and soaked my blackwing -- could this cause
hydrolock?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 23,446
Likes: 0
From: MO. Logic + CFOT = Anarchy!
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (Xssesive)
The main problem is the C5 is so low to the ground it is pretty easy to suck up water(hydrolock) into the engine. I don't know if you could make it hydrolock proof but you can make it much less prone to happen with the right set up. I run the Vortex breather which is a bottom feeder with no problems at all driving in the rain at all. You wouldn't want to go through any deep puddles that is where you run into problems. Even the stock breather will suck up water if it comes over the hood bad enough. The reason most guys don't drive their Corvette in the rain is so much time and effort is spent making them look good they don't want to get them dirty! IMO. :lol:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 1
From: Lynnfield MA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (Patches)
A couple of forum members prove that it is possible to ford a stream in a C5. :eek:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 1
From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Hydrolock?! Ahhhhh! (Patches)
A couple of forum members prove that it is possible to ford a stream in a C5. :eek:
