8th Generation Honda Civic Forum - View Single Post

Corpsman · 08-08-2006, 03:49 AM

Hydrolock is:

In automotive terminology, a hydrolock is the immobilization of an engine's pistons by a liquid (usually water, hence the prefix "hydro-"). Hydrolocking occurs when liquid fills a cylinder on the intake stroke and, due to the incompressibility of a liquid, makes the compression stroke impossible. This, in turn, prevents the entire engine from turning, and can cause significant engine damage if one attempts to forcibly turn over or start the engine.

I used to drive a 2003 Nissan Spec V. I had it until I traded it in for the Si. I also had a CAI the entire time and never had an issue. Now to say that because I never had an issue nobody else will would be a huge hastey generalization. So allow me to try to set some minds at ease...

If you drive thorugh a large puddle of water and water splashes up to your filter.... You WILL NOT get hydrolock. If, however you were to stop your vehicle in a huge puddle of water, allow the filter to become completely submerged, you will get hydrolock.

Water is much denser then air, so unless the intake of air were completely occluded by water, air would still flow into the filter instead of the water. If you do not believe me, take a straw, punch a hole less approximately half the size of the open end of the straw. Place the end of the straw in liquid while the hole you just created is above the liquid.... then suck. Then you will understand.

08-08-2006, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Corpsman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 587 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Hydrolock and you... Hydrolock is: In automotive terminology, a hydrolock is the immobilization of an engine's pistons by a liquid (usually water, hence the prefix "hydro-"). Hydrolocking occurs when liquid fills a cylinder on the intake stroke and, due to the incompressibility of a liquid, makes the compression stroke impossible. This, in turn, prevents the entire engine from turning, and can cause significant engine damage if one attempts to forcibly turn over or start the engine. I used to drive a 2003 Nissan Spec V. I had it until I traded it in for the Si. I also had a CAI the entire time and never had an issue. Now to say that because I never had an issue nobody else will would be a huge hastey generalization. So allow me to try to set some minds at ease... If you drive thorugh a large puddle of water and water splashes up to your filter.... You WILL NOT get hydrolock. If, however you were to stop your vehicle in a huge puddle of water, allow the filter to become completely submerged, you will get hydrolock. Water is much denser then air, so unless the intake of air were completely occluded by water, air would still flow into the filter instead of the water. If you do not believe me, take a straw, punch a hole less approximately half the size of the open end of the straw. Place the end of the straw in liquid while the hole you just created is above the liquid.... then suck. Then you will understand.