can water get sucked into the air intake vent on the fender

[benhogan]

I have a w201 with the 2.5td. is it possible to hydrolock the motor if enough water gets splashed into the vent? like this guy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKaKeEizu5I&t=25s


according to him, he just got splashed by a car just perfectly I guess

[torsionbar]

Doubt it. This is the first time I've ever heard of this happening to a MB or any car for that matter. Sounds like a unique combination of deluge rain and intake design unique to his model AMG.

[Diseasel300]

I find it very hard to believe that a splash from a passing car could hydrolock an engine. The biggest detriment to water actually making it to the cylinders is the air filter, which does not easily pass water. If it got a big splash, sure some water would make it to the cylinders in the form of a mist and vapor, but not a slug large enough to do something. Especially on a gas engine where the air intake is usually lower than the manifold.

I'd suspect there's more to the story that hasn't been said.

[larryloveslala]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

I find it very hard to believe that a splash from a passing car could hydrolock an engine. The biggest detriment to water actually making it to the cylinders is the air filter, which does not easily pass water. If it got a big splash, sure some water would make it to the cylinders in the form of a mist and vapor, but not a slug large enough to do something. Especially on a gas engine where the air intake is usually lower than the manifold.

I'd suspect there's more to the story that hasn't been said.

Have to agree. Especially with the stock air box. Water has mass and would collect in the bottom of the box due to simple gravity. Did you check if there was water in the air box?

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[benhogan]

looks the the insurance company totaled the car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEYbWIlTG7Y

[Diseasel300]

So a brand new car and they totalled it over needing an engine? Something doesn't add up...

[torsionbar]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

So a brand new car and they totalled it over needing an engine? Something doesn't add up...

Replacement engine from AMG supposedly costs $71k in a car that cost $88k. Repair exceeds 80% of replacement vehicle, which is the metric used by ins co.

[t walgamuth]

I'd say yes a splash could hydrolock. You don't have to fill the whole cylinder you just need more water than the volume of the compressed space at the top of the stroke. That's not that much. Lets say its a 3 liter motor, about 186 CI. CR is 20 to one so the amount of water to hydrolock is anything over 186/6/20 = 1.5 CI.

[Zulfiqar]

The vent on a w124 E300D has a funnel going into the box and has drains in the box, I have not seen water get into it even after driving through insane level downpours.

The newer mercedes with twin intakes opening into the front fascia grilles have nothing to stop a splash of water (even the W210 had a little shield for this) - If you see how its plumbed you can very well understand how water can sucked in on that model in the video.

[barry12345]

Boosted turbo pressures may also aid in pulling the water in. Hood is fairly low and air intake may have been better placed. To bad no details are available.

Could have been massive splash encountered perhaps. Or even an engine failure blamed on hydrolocking with water. I would have to wonder seriously what proof would still exist if it was water. Otherwise what a way to avoid warranty on a car 7.5 weeks old.

I also have to wonder if some form of deal was cut between the insurance company and the dealer. How cheap could they get and install another new engine and resell the car?

Maybe the owner could have shopped for a very recent engine in a smashed up car. After buying it back of course looking for recent used engine availability first. These high performance cars see substantially more total write offs than typical I suspect.

[DieselPaul]

On a 190D I'd consider it seriously unlikely. If you facing enough water that high up, you've likely got bigger problems. And with or without the fender vent you're filling the engine bay with water.

You've driven it in the rain this long without hydrolocking it in the rain, so I'd rest easy.

[t walgamuth]

Yeah, probably unlikely but a truck can put out some seriously large amounts of water in a splash or a wave.

[Clemson88]

I'm still worried about all the knives and forks in the world falling on me.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Clemson88

I'm still worried about all the knives and forks in the world falling on me.

You bet!

[koooop]

Sounds like owner thought he had a U boat.