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Hydrolocked TB

Ryan S.

By Ryan S.
in Modifications, Wheels & Tires

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Ryan S. Enthusiast

Ryan S.

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Hey all, 

 

Somewhat new to the forum, but I've been stalking posts to stay up to date. Having an issue and wondered if anyone has come across this and any solutions the community may have found. 

 

Long story short, is that I drove through a flooded parking lot in June. Water barely came up to the rockers and after driving about 500 feet at about 10-15 MPH, there was a steering system alert, and then an oil pressure alert shortly after. Truck was towed to the dealer I purchased it from and was initially told it was covered, but after tearing down, was told there was water in the intake that caused the engine to hydro lock and blow out a rod. I had no choice but to have the insurance cover the repair and get a reman engine installed from GM. Just got the truck back, but can't help but feel that it's really a truck made of glass if i can't drive a trail truck (obviously understanding that it's really not a true trail truck) and traverse a stream or creek that's 2-3 foot deep without fear of ruining the motor. 

 

I called Chevy and got the run around that it was an act of God and that they simply would not cover it. Again, I knew that's what would happen but figured it was worth a shot. In either case, I'm between dumping it (looking at about $45k and some equity if I do) and keeping it. If I do keep it, I have to think there would need to be a replacement intake installed. I'm wondering if anyone has run across this type of situation and any solutions you may have come up with whether that's a recommended intake system, air scoop modification or waterproofing or if you had luck with Chevy in this type of situation. Sorry for the lengthy story, but unfortunately that's about as short as I can make it. Thanks all in advance and I hope you all can help.

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Black02Silverado
Black02Silverado

Sucks that this happened.  The water must have been pushed pretty good up into the intake system for it to pass through the panel air filter and make it's way into the engine.  The only thing is to ma

It's Tim
It's Tim
newdude
newdude

Pics below.  These T1 trucks don't draw air in from the fender like K2 and older did.  They draw air from the top of the radiator via airflow from the grille and hood area.  There is the main inlet ho

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Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

Sucks that this happened.  The water must have been pushed pretty good up into the intake system for it to pass through the panel air filter and make it's way into the engine.  The only thing is to make your own snorkel set up some how or block off where it gets the air from  in front and have it only get it from high inside the engine compartment.  Not ideal but if you do this kind of driving then that would be what it would take I guess.

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jaxcam02 Enthusiast

jaxcam02

Posted
Posted (edited)

10-15 MPH might have been a bit too fast. Water can and will find its way into almost everything, especially if it is forced upwards in hefty quantities. My guess is that some of the hose clamps in the intake may have been loose or the intake manifold had a gasket that didn't seal completely and a decent quantity of water got splashed around the engine bay. I can't see an easy way that water made its way all the way through the stock airbox (although completely possible) and into the motor though if all the gaskets and hose clamps were within spec and the PCV system wasn't compromised.

Edited by jaxcam02
Amcguy1970 Enthusiast

Amcguy1970

Posted
Posted

They aren't glass, 15mph is barreling through the water that was a foot and a half deep. Jeeps do that and have issues, that is on you, you just went too fast for that deep. I have been deeper than my bumper with my K2 without an issue. 

 

Tyler

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diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

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Posted

It's not a boat and you're not alone. This has happened many times including to my son. Too fast. Snorkel is the best option. 

Ryan S. Enthusiast

Ryan S.

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36 minutes ago, Black02Silverado said:

Sucks that this happened.  The water must have been pushed pretty good up into the intake system for it to pass through the panel air filter and make it's way into the engine.  The only thing is to make your own snorkel set up some how or block off where it gets the air from  in front and have it only get it from high inside the engine compartment.  Not ideal but if you do this kind of driving then that would be what it would take I guess.

It was definitely weird. I never saw water come up over the hood during the drive through the water and figured it was getting pushed away from the truck as I saw some spray. Additionally with a seal from the upper radiator trim to the hood, it seemed less likely to happen. The truth is, I don't drive it off road much at all so an aftermarket option could work if it had a deep lower section so if water did get in, it could puddle up in there. Not that I'd want it to, but maybe a drain hole could be made for it. 

customboss Senior Enthusiast

customboss

Posted
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1 hour ago, Black02Silverado said:

Sucks that this happened.  The water must have been pushed pretty good up into the intake system for it to pass through the panel air filter and make it's way into the engine.  The only thing is to make your own snorkel set up some how or block off where it gets the air from  in front and have it only get it from high inside the engine compartment.  Not ideal but if you do this kind of driving then that would be what it would take I guess.

Or slow down when wading a truck? 

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Ryan S. Enthusiast

Ryan S.

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18 minutes ago, customboss said:

Or slow down when wading a truck? 

Please read the post. I’m not looking for driving advice here and certainly not the criticism of the situation. I have a driver’s license and the lesson is learned. If you’ve had experience with an air intake that works given the situation, I’d love the input. If not, keep it to yourself. 

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customboss Senior Enthusiast

customboss

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Ryan S. said:

Please read the post. I’m not looking for driving advice here and certainly not the criticism of the situation. I have a driver’s license and the lesson is learned. If you’ve had experience with an air intake that works given the situation, I’d love the input. If not, keep it to yourself. 

No offense intended. 

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Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted (edited)

...................

Edited by elcamino
pokismoki Senior Enthusiast

pokismoki

Posted
Posted (edited)

it came up to the rockers and you hydrolocked it, i think you where deeper than you imagine,  the air intake is about headlight level

Edited by pokismoki
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txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted

Yep, you can build up a pretty good wall of water in front. I could see by looking at mine water could get funneled up pretty high in the grill. You could take a stock box, seal the factory inlet and any holes, then maybe open the backside of it for air intake. Won't really be a cold air box anymore

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Ryan S. Enthusiast

Ryan S.

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3 hours ago, txab said:

Yep, you can build up a pretty good wall of water in front. I could see by looking at mine water could get funneled up pretty high in the grill. You could take a stock box, seal the factory inlet and any holes, then maybe open the backside of it for air intake. Won't really be a cold air box anymore

It was mentioned that being up to the rockers would mean it was near headlight level. This isn't remotely the case. There's at least 1'-1 1/2' distance between the two. In either case, this sounds like a decent idea although losing cooler air could be an issue. The snorkel is intriguing although there's no real options that I wouldn't have to build myself and I don't want to have to cut the fenders and with the air box on the driver's side this could be an engineering feat I'm not equipped to address. Definitely worth some more investigation. Thanks for the suggestion. 

Ryan S. Enthusiast

Ryan S.

Posted
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5 hours ago, pokismoki said:

it came up to the rockers and you hydrolocked it, i think you where deeper than you imagine,  the air intake is about headlight level

There's easily a foot or more distance between the rocker and the middle of the headlight.

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