Causes and special cases Hydrolock

1 causes , special cases

1.1 automotive
1.2 marine
1.3 diesel engines
1.4 radial , inverted engines
1.5 steam engines

causes , special cases
automotive

hydrolock commonly occurs in automobiles when driving through floods, either water above level of air intake or vehicle s speed excessive, creating tall bow wave. vehicle fitted cold air intake mounted low on vehicle vulnerable hydrolocking when being driven through standing water or heavy precipitation. engine coolant entering cylinders through various means (such blown head gasket) common cause. excessive fuel entering (flooding) 1 or more cylinders in liquid form due abnormal operating conditions can cause hydrolock.

marine

small boats outboard engines , pwcs tend ingest water because run in , around it. during rollover, or when wave washes on craft, engine can hydrolock, though severe damage rare due special air intakes , low rotating inertia of small marine engines. inboard marine engines have different vulnerability these have cooling water mixed exhaust gases in header quiet engine. rusted out exhaust headers or lengthy periods of turning starter can cause water build in exhaust line point back-flows through exhaust manifold , fills cylinders.

diesel engines

diesel engines more susceptible hydrolock gasoline engines. due higher compression ratios, diesel engines have smaller final combustion chamber volume, requiring less liquid hydrolock. diesel engines tend have higher torque, rotating inertia, , stronger starter motors gasoline engines. result diesel engine more suffer catastrophic damage.

radial , inverted engines

hydrolock common on radial , inverted engines (cylinders pointing downwards) when engine sits long period. engine oil seeps down under gravity cylinder through various means (through rings, valve guides, etc.) , can fill cylinder enough oil hydrolock it. seepage effect can observed blue-white smoke commonly seen when radial engine starts up. in order prevent engine damage, universal practice ground crew or pilot check hydrolock during pre-flight inspection of aircraft, typically hand-cranking propeller several turns make sure crankshaft cycles through cylinders.

steam engines

a hydraulic lock can occur in steam engines due steam condensing water. in steam engine designs there must small moment @ end of return stroke of piston when valves shut , compressing remaining steam. water can introduced boiler or in cold engine, steam condense water on cool walls of cylinders , can potentially hydrolock engine. damaging internal combustion engines , in case of steam locomotive can dangerous broken connecting rod puncture firebox/boiler , cause steam explosion. steam engines (with exception of small model , toy machines) fitted cylinder drain cocks opened allow excess water , steam escape during warm up.