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PD Moderator	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2010 12:01:17 PM Ignore PD Report Abuse April showers may bring more than May flowers for you this year...how about engine failure? (Along with higher gas prices, too!) With spring weather taking over, rain and storms are a big part of bringing us into summer. What you may forget- is that those April showers can damage your engine. I've seen it many times personally- a storm drops a few inches of rain, the rain collects on roadways, sometimes forming into puddles that are near impossible to see, people drive through them and ruin their engines. (Check out a how hundreds of cars were hydrolocked after owners tried to start their engines) More information from a mechanic on hydrolock Many times this can happen where a road moves lower to pass under a... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Message Posted: Apr 6, 2010 12:01:17 PM

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April showers may bring more than May flowers for you this year...how about engine failure? (Along with higher gas prices, too!) With spring weather taking over, rain and storms are a big part of bringing us into summer. What you may forget- is that those April showers can damage your engine. I've seen it many times personally- a storm drops a few inches of rain, the rain collects on roadways, sometimes forming into puddles that are near impossible to see, people drive through them and ruin their engines.

(Check out a how hundreds of cars were hydrolocked after owners tried to start their engines)

More information from a mechanic on hydrolock

Many times this can happen where a road moves lower to pass under a...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:10,114 Points:2,351,530 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 5, 2010 4:32:20 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse If big oil and the speculator trash keep going we are not going to have to worry about, hydro lock. We won't be able to afford the gas. America needs to have Natural Gas cars from the factory. We could have them is 6 months. In the not to distant future we need to have Hydrogen. This will hurt opec, which is good and get the attention of big oil.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,105 Points:2,553,930 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 5, 2010 5:31:13 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse If you insist on driving fast through a puddle you deserve what you get.
hambone2009 Rookie Author Richmond Posts:10 Points:10,250 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2010 8:57:04 PM Ignore hambone2009 Report Abuse The key to avoiding that is to slow down and pay attention. Or else stay home.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,738 Points:1,695,780 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2010 6:20:35 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse this article shows up at the top of today's news because "one" gas buddy posted since my post yesterday. I must be in the gas buddy deja vu section.
wildjoe1 Champion Author Utah Posts:13,590 Points:896,565 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2010 1:04:19 PM Ignore wildjoe1 Report Abuse HI
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,738 Points:1,695,780 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2010 2:57:56 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse and some? powered their cars with water converters; to make hydrogen no doubt. TOP GEAR needs another watch.
CrazgsupS All-Star Author San Diego Posts:516 Points:55,940 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2010 12:40:10 PM Ignore CrazgsupS Report Abuse More rain, new challenges. Think before you step out. Check the roof!
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,367 Points:1,483,935 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2010 8:51:58 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse but we have to eat and water helps the gardens
wildjoe1 Champion Author Utah Posts:13,590 Points:896,565 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2010 1:06:47 PM Ignore wildjoe1 Report Abuse yes
ETsC10 Veteran Author Seattle Posts:256 Points:38,430 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2010 11:09:08 AM Ignore ETsC10 Report Abuse Strange. You would think the engine simply wouldn't start with water-filled cylinders.
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,527 Points:1,131,195 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2010 6:41:25 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse if you're that dumb to drive into that deep of water you deserve to hydrolock, & by the way I'm a mechanic & I do know & can spell what hydrolock is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sweeteddy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,639 Points:1,706,245 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2010 4:24:44 PM Ignore sweeteddy Report Abuse yes
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,738 Points:1,695,780 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2010 7:41:25 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse my mechanic can't even spell hydrolock; thought that was a new organic hydroponic hairdo
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,536 Points:1,834,640 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2010 5:40:48 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Been driving for more years than I want to say , Had older car drown out.
derKraut Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,098 Points:1,230,060 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2010 2:14:43 PM Ignore derKraut Report Abuse humm...never ever had this happen nor in deep snow.
MinnesotaDJ Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,767 Points:777,410 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2010 7:22:56 PM Ignore MinnesotaDJ Report Abuse Well, we've had some pretty high water here at times with a storm that they will close a road, and I've been stuck on that road before it closed. Never, ever had an engine fail because of water. That's rediculous, you would have to drive through ocean waters to have that happen to a car, we'd have an awful lot of people stranded out there on the side of the road!
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2010 9:57:56 AM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse Do they teach a course on 'common sense'?
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,073,525 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2010 2:31:49 AM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse Sounds like a very expensive stupid tax.
rohiah10 Sophomore Author Boston Posts:161 Points:717,965 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2010 12:15:56 AM Ignore rohiah10 Report Abuse I too have been burnt by this act of nature (too much water in areas formally dry). The water looked innocent until we drove into it. It looked like a wet road and no tell tale cars went through it before to show us how deep. Police had to be called, and a tow truck was called to haul us out. We spent an hour in the middle of a large puddle of water waving to the oncoming traffic to turn around. The engine was full of water and cost $4000 to replace. This was a lesson to be learned for it was a first Driving Lesson for two students!
NJColt Champion Author New Jersey Posts:12,655 Points:2,645,910 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2010 6:44:10 AM Ignore NJColt Report Abuse many headaches
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2010 6:26:22 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse tobasco... yea, "... it never rains in Southern California... "
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,325 Points:1,641,845 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 11:34:18 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse GOT TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH FLOODED ROADS!
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,389 Points:672,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 6:47:26 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse I had never heard the term hydrolock, but I am do not drive through puddles either. I guess that I have been lucky - especially since there has been extensive flooding in some of the areas that I have lived.
Jarod13 Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,495 Points:1,413,510 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 1:40:50 PM Ignore Jarod13 Report Abuse Commonsense would tell most people to drive more cautiously when it's raining and storming, in order to avoid such disasters. But I guess some people just done have any. With regards to gas prices, prices have gone up between $.20 and $.30 cents a gallon over the past couple of weeks. Now that Spring Break and Easter vacations are over, now we can expect prices to continue to rise in anticipation of the summer travel season. We consumers just can't catch a break!
cpl11787 All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:630 Points:123,275 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 12:17:46 PM Ignore cpl11787 Report Abuse ouch the head it pains.
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,351 Points:2,111,560 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 12:06:41 PM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse It never rains here.
Dr Gas Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,271 Points:358,600 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:39:48 AM Ignore Dr Gas Report Abuse I'm sorry, the air is cooler if it sucks up air from the bottom of the car??? With the sun baking down for most of the time that you'd be driving, the lower the air intake is the hotter the air is. If you want cooler air take it in firm the front grill as the air is rushing against the moving car. And for those that think they can cross the flooded road - to bad your so stupid!
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,167 Points:1,635,260 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:38:08 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse That's why Hummers have the air intake above the hood
JediKnight Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,848 Points:2,034,735 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:17:12 AM Ignore JediKnight Report Abuse Thanks for the rundown on hydrolock. Like others, I don't tend to think about it but it makes sense. As my vehicle is considered a "bottom breather" I'll have to make a point of evaluating what kinds of puddles I should safely attempt. A good point about if it stalls while traversing a puddle not to restart... It might be the only way to save it, or avoid more extensive damage.
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,381 Points:659,975 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:15:07 AM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse Good article but the writer should proof read it for typos before publishing it.
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,381 Points:659,975 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:10:23 AM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse Deep water is for boats. I agree that it is good to avoid puddles and other areas of deep water whenever possible to avoid problems.
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,270 Points:1,879,535 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:07:19 AM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse BlueTucson, you say it right. I never have heard of this before either. A very good article, written where anyone can understand it.
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,511 Points:1,632,765 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 10:01:46 AM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Never really thought about this happening. It seemed most of the cars in the article and following videos were foreign made.
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:8,859 Points:2,412,410 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:51:11 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse Glad it has never happened to me
JXQW Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,787 Points:684,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:48:34 AM Ignore JXQW Report Abuse Did I see this one yesterday?
BlueTucson Champion Author Syracuse Posts:2,148 Points:1,250,015 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:48:30 AM Ignore BlueTucson Report Abuse This is the first I've heard of hydrolock. You'd think it would be discussed more if it were a common problem. While it's fun to drive through puddles, it's smart to avoid any body of water of unknown depth, or any puddle more than a few inches deep. Hydroplaning and unseen obstacles (such as potholes) are other hazards of puddles.
Waterpig Sophomore Author Virginia Beach Posts:176 Points:89,360 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:48:24 AM Ignore Waterpig Report Abuse Don't be an idiot and drive through high water. Those that do need to pay for their own stupidity...
CorvairHaven Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,364 Points:1,456,640 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:46:47 AM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse This is new info to me... I'll have to think about it as to whether it's accurate or not. It would be more believable if there weren't so many typos in the article.
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:5,291 Points:1,331,745 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:45:53 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse You see this on the news, people driving their cars thru river of water, they have no clue, that their car may stall.
Bill100 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:41,514 Points:1,165,770 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:44:20 AM Ignore Bill100 Report Abuse I'd never heard of hydrolock. My air filters have always been up on top. Are there any other air intakes?
nehemiah Champion Author Portland Posts:4,776 Points:933,540 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:43:19 AM Ignore nehemiah Report Abuse might get worse with all the potholes now
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,220 Points:1,935,870 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:41:15 AM Ignore sit Report Abuse Hmmm.
MacGyver_1701 Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,975 Points:2,190,445 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:40:26 AM Ignore MacGyver_1701 Report Abuse this happens due to high water, but also do to a design flaw in almost every car. The air scoop is located low and close to the ground. Hitting water at high speeds causes the to act as a funnel allowing the water to pour directly into the engine.
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:8,670 Points:2,422,555 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:39:06 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse in the 60s, plymouth's slant 6 had the distributor on the lower side, and it frequently got saturated and stalled out from water splashed up from the road. but that was nearly 50 years ago . . . i thought they'd fixed this since then. . .
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,658 Points:1,927,555 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:39:04 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse some people just do not have a clue
MaeMae514 Veteran Author Dayton Posts:414 Points:475,890 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:38:32 AM Ignore MaeMae514 Report Abuse heard this morning that gas was gonna be $4.00 /gal by the summer. :(
Panthr1 Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:273 Points:1,013,795 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:37:29 AM Ignore Panthr1 Report Abuse Splashing in puddles is fun, it doesn't matter how old you are, we're all still kids at heart!
gagal31525 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:561 Points:511,840 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:35:47 AM Ignore gagal31525 Report Abuse Just don't drive through it if it looks to deep....
Panthr1 Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:273 Points:1,013,795 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:35:06 AM Ignore Panthr1 Report Abuse Try a pair of goggles too to go with your snorkel! HA!
ljmatney Champion Author Wichita Posts:4,194 Points:789,755 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2010 9:33:32 AM Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse It is not only how deep it is, it is some idiot driving through it like a maniac and the splash onto your engine is huge.