I have an 09' Scion tC and I was driving thru harsh flood waters today (probably 6 inches to 10 inches) . Now before I get flamed, I have to tell you that I didn't have a choice, there was no high area to stop. I have the stock intake, no cold air or anything, nor is my car lowered. Car drives fine (no check engine light), but I guess I'm just paranoid. Flood waters are cleared and I just drove home going around 80 mph on the freeway just fine with no problems or strange noises from the engine. How high does the flood water have to be in order to cause real damage to the engine with the stock intake? Should I be worried about my engine being messed up?

Thanks,
Lewis

 

as high as the intake

 

high enough to where the intake can suck it up. Dont know exact though but if someone on here wants to test it........

 

yo check it... i had the same situation... but idk about 6'-10' of water but i know what i crossed submerged the hood in water... and that tC is still running like a champ! lol

 

Well I only went over 6 inches to 10 inches of water. I guess I shouldn't be worried about it???

 

You should be fine, you still have the stock intake and still have the inner fenders so I doubt any water got in there.

 

Isn't the bottom of the front bumper like 10 inches off the ground stock???
lol

 

Do you not know where the stock intake sits?...

 

um, yeah.

op, if you are this worried, look around for diy on removing fender liners/intake and visually inspect for moisture inside the intake. might have to crank the wheel and remove the drivers side wheel well cover to get an easy access to everything.

 

and i think aen had some serious floodage last year and i'm sure he is still running strong

 

There is no need to take the fender liners off to check for moisture, he has the stock intake. He is fine.

 

stock intake = you're fine.

you can always check for moisture though like previously stated if you are that worried.

 

the water needs to be up to your fender for you to worry. thats where the stock intake sucks in air. aside from that, your electricals would probably fail before your engine gets hydrolocked...

 

well if it is still running you are fine........if you hydrolocked it you would know.......also why are you driving 80mph on the freeway..........

 

yea^
if it was messed up it would be messed up already.

 

Yeah.

I had a cold air + low car and I hydrolocked that ish. This was my mistake though, it was the only exit out but 2 ft puddle i didn't go far enough to the side. I think my car stopped once the water hit the MAF, but my dumbass tried cranking it in the puddle, than pushed it out, waited fr a lil bit. Bad mistake I should've taken apart the intake to take out any remaining water. After like 10 minutes it ran, but it was knocking. End of story, a destroyed short block which costed $7000.

 

Thanks for all of the comments so far! I opened up my stock intake to have a look and the filter seems to be dry without a drop of moisture. Car also runs like normal - just put on 200 highway miles today on a road trip. Guess I was just being paranoid. Thanks again, guys!

 

Just FYI, some moisture in there isn't a big deal. You can get some water in the engine and it will be fine. The problem is when you get so much water in the cylinder[s] that they are full. Then you break things. But you would know this because your engine either wouldn't run or would run like crap, as several people have already stated.

Probably because that's his cruising speed, why does it matter?

 

If you ever do go through a puddle or large mass of water and your car cuts off, DO NOT try to re-crank the car. Get it towed, have the oil changed, and also remove the spark plugs and vacuuming the water out of the cylinders. Can also bump the ignition to clear out the water. Or, for the smarter people, have it towed to a repair shop. Insurance is great.

 

I have a CAI and run through puddles like a 4x4. As long as you have that plastic piece (forgot what its called, fender is it?) then it should be fine.