Hydrolocked Engine – What Is It – Causes – What Damage Can It Do

January 12, 2021 Automotive Leaks, Engine Damage
Hydrolocked Engine - What Is It - Causes - What Damage Can It Do
Hydrolocked Engine - What Is It - Causes - What Damage Can It Do

When an engine is seized from ingesting a substantial amount of liquid; it is said to be a hydrolocked engine.

So, with all internal combustion engines, the internals are all designed to deal with the compression of air.

Because, liquid is non-compressible, when ingested into the cylinders, it is said to be hydrolocked.

So, the amount of damage from a hydrolocked engine, depends on the engines speed when the liquid was ingested.

Also, the amount, type of liquid and how it got in, will have a major effect on what happens. So, when your engine first encounters a bit of extra liquid in the cylinders; your engine will begin to misfire. However, if it’s just a small amount of liquid, it might just blow it right out the exhaust. But, if more liquid is drawn in, you’ll hear a loud knocking noise as the cylinders fill up.

So, it could be just a second or two and then your engine will shut off with a thud.

Causes Of A Hydrolocked Engine

By and large, the most common cause of a hydrolocked engine is, water entering the air intake. Water can enter the intake on any engine, whether it’s from driving through water or an actual flood.

Hydrolocked Engine From Flood Damage
Hydrolocked Engine From Flood Damage

Also, engine coolant can enter the cylinders when a head gasket blows. A failure in the carburetor or injectors can introduce, liquid gasoline or diesel into the cylinders.

Damage From A Hydrolocked Engine

Big leak, fast engine speed

The real damage occurs when a large volume of liquid makes its way into the cylinders.

Also, with higher engine speed comes more engine damage. ( Almost sounds like a quote from Spiderman )

Bent Connecting Rods
Bent Connecting Rods

The reaction forces involved will almost certainly, break internal components like:

  • Piston Damage
  • Cylinder Walls Crack
  • Connecting Rods Bend
  • Connecting Rods Snap & Go through the oil pan
  • Damage to the cooling system
  • Cold Water Shock to Hot Engine
  • Head Gasket Failure
  • Catalytic Converter Damage
  • Rod/Main Bearing Wash out
  • Crankshaft Damage

Again, the amount of liquid ingested and where it came from, will reflect the amount of damage.

Small leak, slow engine speed

Amounts of liquid significant enough to cause hydrolock, tend to upset the air/fuel mixture in gasoline engines. This result could make the engine stall. So, if hydrolock actually occurs, it does not cause catastrophic engine damage. If an engine hydrolocks at idle speed, it may simply stop and refuse to turn over.
Cylinder Damage From Hydrolocked Engine
Cylinder Damage From Hydrolocked Engine
There may well be no internal component damage. You may be able to correct this by removing the spark plugs or injectors. Next, turn the engine over using the starter motor. This will help expel the liquid from the cylinder or cylinders. Once reassembled, the engine should start as normal.

The hydrolocked engine was a symptom, not the cause. So, if the liquid was introduced to the cylinder through a failed component; typically the head gasket, this must be repaired.

Leaking Head Gasket
Leaking Head Gasket

So, coolant is corrosive to the internal parts of an engine. As a result, when you leave this standing for any length of time, the damage will only get worse. Also, remember engine coolant eats bearing material.

Trying to restart the engine will only cause further damage. You may also cause damage to parts that were actually ok like:

  • Starter
  • Flywheel
  • Transmission
  • Cause A Head Gasket Leak
  • Engine Block
  • Transmission Housing
  • Connecting Rods
  • Pistons

Consequently, a hydrolocked engine, can also occur when the engine is not running. Flood damage, for example. Fluid fills the cylinders while the engine is not running and the starter can’t crank the engine over.

Hydrolocked Engine From Flood
Hydrolocked Engine From Flood

Conclusion

So, the best thing to do is, avoid drive through any flooded streets. But, if you do, slow down.

So, the most disconcerting aspect of a hydrolocked engine is, that it can strike without warning. That’s why regular maintenance and inspections are the best way to keep on top of this issue. Preventative maintenance is a lot cheaper and much safer, than a hydrolocked engine.

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