I've just tried driving my car under water. Everytime the water gets up to the bonnet the engine cuts out.

Question

I've put tape around the windows and pinned plastic to the underneath of the car to waterproof it. I'm going to try again in a bit. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Yes, you need what is called a "snorkel" to keep water from getting to the engine's air intake. Or, you could use a pressurized air tank to furnish air to the engine. Or, you could switch to electric, then all your problems would be solved.

Answer 2

You must be careful not to get water into the engine and if it happens it will be through the air intake. You can run a pipe from the air intake over the roof. Water is not compressible and will really wreck the engine. Also disconnect the fan as the blades will bend when they hit the water. If it is a petrol engine the plugs leads will short out pretty quick if it is a diesel you should be able to get the water over your knees (providing you do the fan and the air intake). When you go through the water don't rev hard but keep a constant speed up and do not take your foot off the accelerator as this will draw water up the exhaust. It sounds a lot of fun - wish I were there. On my old Landrover I brought the air intake back into the cab where I could keep an eye on it and fixed an electric fan with a switch. I have had the water up to steering wheel. You do need to WD40 everything and also to build in the distributor in a plastic box of some sort

Answer 3

You did NOT waterproof it. It takes a lot more than that to keep water out of an engine compartment.

You DID probably mess up your electronics (unless you have an off road vehicle designed with submersion in mind...but you said car.) I hope it's a beater you're planning on junking. Because, well, if it wasn't before, it probably is now.

Anyhow, assuming your car IS capable of being driven underwater, you need a snorkel for your air intake. You're almost definitely sucking water into your engine (by the way, that isn't good for it, and it may need serious work now, congratulations.)

You need to seal EVERY SINGLE electrical component against water. That's all the sensors, the ECU, the distributor, spark plugs and wires if you have them, probably fuel injectors. You obviously didn't do any of this, and all of these components now probably need to be replaced.

You should also make sure that components that get hot (basically everything, but particularly the engine block and exhaust system...and turbo, if you have one of those) are able to withstand the rapid temperature change when you submerge the hot parts in the cold water.

Basically, I really hope the evidence is obvious. Because I hope you aren't able to foist this pile of garbage onto some unsuspecting sucker.

My idea: Junk the car, get a diesel, and do what Howstuffworks says, if you really want to drive underwater.

Answer 4

This is a tricky one to do - there are parts of the engine that need to be watertight, such as the electrical system and the air intake. Water in the electrics will stop the spark plugs from working and the engine will stop. Water through the air intake will go straight into the cylinders and fill them with water stopping the engine in a more drastic way.

You need to consider the radiator - surrounded by water and it will be OK but if you make the whole engine compartment watertight then there will be no air going past it and the engin will overheat.

It might be simpler to mount the engine higher up on some sort of frame to avoid the water

Answer 5

Water proof the distributor cap by spraying wd40 over the points then putting a condom over it or a plastic bag taped securely. Create another air filter pipe that will keep the filter above the waterline. If you get stuck in the water and the battery is strong enough, put the car into 1st gear and without pressing the clutch turn the key in the ignition, it should be able to shunt you to dry land.

Answer 6

If its working large i actually wouldnt project. undergo in recommendations autos can face up to water, they do in spite of each little thing might desire to run on an identical time as its raining out and belive me water gets up interior the engine. What you will possibly be able to desire to tension approximately is sucking water into the engine interior the direction of the intake, yet because of the fact the engine is working now you didnt try this. The intake is severe on the engine and designed to stay away from that in any case. i might have the click clinically determined via a save, theres thank you to many things it must be to even speculate right here. you should to point to them the noise started once you drove with the aid of puddle.

Answer 7

Your basic problem is that your not hitting the water fast enough to set up the required bow wave. Try driving off a high bridge into deep water, remembering to keep the windows closed so as not to get the seats wet! And make sure you have the windshield wipers going, so that you can see. Wait till you hit the bottom of what ever piece of water your chose, preferably a fast flowing river, as this will help you when you try to "bump" start the engine. Best of luck !!!!!

Answer 8

You need to keep the exhaust and the air intake out of the water.
If you look at the endurance landrovers you will see pipes above roof level so the engine can breath
Works better on Diesel engines, petrol engines you will have proble with the electrics, distributer etc

Answer 9

Fit a bracket to the roof of the car and move the engine up onto it. That way the water won't get to it

Answer 10

All you need is a good water-repellent such as WD 40 and spray it liberally over the engine. Don't forget to spray yourself and any passengers as well if you intend a long trip under water.