[JGluck]

Was driving my 2011 328i xDrive around today when it began to rain. With no real threat I drove around no problem. However... I came to a puddle that I somewhat hesitantly drove though. Now of course this title is negative so heres the bad part. While driving through the large puddle a large rig came barreling by. The rig created a wave that drowned my engine bay and the car stalled. I tried starting it again with no luck... then waited for the rain to dissipate and tried yet again with no success. Called roadside assistance and they came within the hour. While the car was being raised up to the flat bed water came pouring out of the exhaust (BMW Perf), leading me to believe that the entire system was water logged. Fortunately no water bled into the interior. Has anyone ever had anything like this happen and/ or know if the car will be ok.

[Dark_Knight_335]

You're still alive. Rethink your definition of "tragedy".
That said, yes, a similar thing happened to me. I got stuck in floodwaters of a cresting Passaic River in Newark NJ with a 128 m-sport loaner. I was eventually able to kick it over, but had a jerky acceleration and the car sounded like an outboard motorboat.
I returned it the next day to the dealer, and fessed up to what I did:
They took apart the air intake system (labor intensive apparently) and replaced some filter and 650 bucks later the loaner was fine.
I got lucky as I see it, the engine could have hydro locked.
Hope this helps.

[avocet]

one would hope it is just the electicals that have gotten wet. if your engine ingested any water through the intake, it will get very expensive, very quickly.

did water come over the hood? the intakes are right above the rad, and would be sucking in water if a wave hit it. a paper element will usually get waterlogged and clog up choking the engine and causing it to stall. one would hope you have an oem style paper element at this time... although if there is enough water and enough airflow, it might suck past and get into the intake.
a k&n style element or cold air cone type filter will tend to allow water to get sucked through much easier.

good luck! hope it turns out ok.

[iCraig]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

You're still alive. Rethink your definition of "tragedy".

Yup. Hopefully the car isn't permanently damaged, but be glad you're looking at a car insurance claim instead of your family looking at a life insurance claim..

[dd243372]

Is this something that insurance would cover?

[W.WCherry]

You should be fine. Did the same thing when I was younger in my truck.

[GChase]

I read the title and thought this thread was going to be about a family that died in a BMW or something... Your car just got water in it, just use a bit softer language in the future. Goodluck with the repair

[luv135i]

Originally Posted by dd243372

Is this something that insurance would cover?

Yes this is a comp claim.

[BMW_Belgier]

Hope your car will drive again soon!

Good luck

[galahad05]

Someone already mentioned it: hydrolock is the worst thing that could happen. Otherwise, electricals or, hopefully, the filters just need drying/cleaning/replacing.

[cultr3]

How is this anywhere near a tragedy??? It's an annoyance at the most... Have insurance fix it and move on, it's not a DIY thing

[gds52]

old carburetor cars in India used to get stuck in water (entered through exhaust). after waiting for some time those cars used to start working on their own...not sure whats BMW's deal
good luck.

[sgtfury40]

Posters, OP's use of the word "tragedy" is a absolutely appropriate. Read the entire title and you will understand that the tragedy is that he was in Long Island. Yuck.

[techwhiz]

Inconvenient at worst.
Insurance will cover it since you weren't doing something stupid.

[adubey]

Originally Posted by galahad05

Someone already mentioned it: hydrolock is the worst thing that could happen. Otherwise, electricals or, hopefully, the filters just need drying/cleaning/replacing.

I had no idea what hydrolocking was and this is what I came up with

"If an engine hydrolocks while at speed, a mechanical failure is likely. Common damage modes include bent or broken connecting rods, a fractured head, a fractured block, crankcase damage, damaged bearings, or any combination of these. Forces absorbed by other interconnected components may cause additional damage. Physical damage to metal parts can manifest as a "crashing" or "screeching" sound and usually requires replacement of the engine or a substantial rebuild of its major components."

That does not sound good, at the same time the damage should be covered by comprehensive insurance (assuming you have comp) and you should be made whole again for a small price. Best of luck op!

[galahad05]

Originally Posted by adubey

I had no idea what hydrolocking was and this is what I came up with

"If an engine hydrolocks while at speed, a mechanical failure is likely. Common damage modes include bent or broken connecting rods, a fractured head, a fractured block, crankcase damage, damaged bearings, or any combination of these. Forces absorbed by other interconnected components may cause additional damage. Physical damage to metal parts can manifest as a "crashing" or "screeching" sound and usually requires replacement of the engine or a substantial rebuild of its major components."

That does not sound good, at the same time the damage should be covered by comprehensive insurance (assuming you have comp) and you should be made whole again for a small price. Best of luck op!

Hydrolock: where enough water (imcompressible fluid) gets into the combustion chamber of an engine such that it prevents the piston from completing its stroke. Water cannot be compressed--this is the principle for hydraulics used on back hoes, etc. (though of course they use hydraulic oils for those applications).
You try to squeeze water with enough force, something else will give--some part of the engine.

[Sara]

Just so you know, you had my heart in my throat last night. After reading this thread it was storming at work and I had to stay an hour late because the weather was so bad there was no way I could even get out of my building. When the rain finally died down I was driving trying to get to the bridge and there was a pond of standing water covering all the lanes. I couldnt see how deep it was and your thread popped in my head. Me and the car next to me both stopped afraid to cross it. I waited there for almost 5 minutes just parked waiting for the other car to make a move and try to go through it first lol.....

[Dark_Knight_335]

Just plow through it and give it no gas, works every time. Make sure you have enough room in front of you so you don't ram anyone or anything. Doesn't work so well in lake, rivers, or oceans.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Just so you know, you had my heart in my throat last night. After reading this thread it was storming at work and I had to stay an hour late because the weather was so bad there was no way I could even get out of my building. When the rain finally died down I was driving trying to get to the bridge and there was a pond of standing water covering all the lanes. I couldnt see how deep it was and your thread popped in my head. Me and the car next to me both stopped afraid to cross it. I waited there for almost 5 minutes just parked waiting for the other car to make a move and try to go through it first lol.....

Wait it was storming in LA last night?! It definitely wasn't in OC

[Sara]

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

Wait it was storming in LA last night?! It definitely wasn't in OC

I live in New Orleans, LA

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Sara504

I live in New Orleans, LA

Haha nice...I didn't catch the 504 at first...I'm original from NOLA...New Orleans East to be exact but havent been back in years.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

Haha nice...I didn't catch the 504 at first...I'm original from NOLA...New Orleans East to be exact but havent been back in years.

It hasnt changed one bit since Katrina. Its still a dump. I cant wait to move out of Louisiana next year.