If your car’s exhaust pipes were ever submerged in water, you might have been caught on a flood-prone street. This should be considered a concern. What are the risks to my vehicle? What happens to my vehicle afterward?
The answer to the question, “Can a vehicle exhaust go underwater?” is YES. If your car’s engine is well-designed, it will not suffer any damage if the vehicle is submerged in water for short periods. The “air induction” tube, which is used to prevent water from entering the engine compartment during floods , is a part of modern cars. The tube goes up the hood to the top of the engine compartment. It connects to the one-end of a tube that is attached to the other tube below. Both ends have openings.
The water in your exhaust pipe will cause it to stop flowing if it is submerged in water.
Because water molecules are very sticky, this is why they stick together. These tiny particles, which are exhaust gases, travel quickly enough to push water out their way and cause them to be transmitted into the atmosphere through the pipe.
Your exhaust system has very few holes compared to the amount of exhaust gases that pass through it. This makes the pressure inside your exhaust system much higher than the outside water, which allows the exhaust gas to push out instead of allowing it in.
This is the way that your exhaust pipe pressure will prevent flooding.
It is possible for exhaust gases, however, to push water through your exhaust system’s holes. This will cause a vacuum and force water into your exhaust.
You may have excessive water in your exhaust. If you hear this, it is likely that you are hearing a hissing sound from the pipe. Then you will see white smoke coming out of the pipe. This condition can also cause your vehicle to lose power.
What are the dangers from an underwater car exhaust?
A car’s underwater exhaust can trap water in your engine, and you may end up sinking in a lake. You could end up with water in your intake if you run at a high speed. You might experience a suction effect if you run really fast. This can lead to a larger amount of water in your a data-id=”https://carstopics.com/size-of-a-cold–air–intake–filter-matters/”>air intake.
Is it possible to make your exhaust louder by putting water in it?
Yes, there may be a slight increase in volume when you add water to your exhaust system. However, this will quickly return to normal.
What are the reasons you shouldn’t add water to your exhaust?
- Your exhaust pipe’s interior is extremely hot. Adding water to it will cause it boil, which can create a lot pressure in the system. This is something you don’t want.
- Water is a great conductor of heat energy. You are allowing more heat to enter your muffler, which could cause damage.
Why is it that people pour water into their exhausts?
People will add water to their exhaust system thinking it will make them go faster. This is far from reality.
Top Gear has aired an episode where it was clear that adding water to your exhaust doesn’t increase power.
Is it possible to clean your exhaust with water.
You can clean your exhaust with water.
- This will work best if you have a bucket of water and a sponge.
- Also, soap is needed, preferably dishwashing detergent. It can be found in most grocery stores or supermarkets near the section on cleaning products.
- Mix some soapy water in a bucket and then place the sponge that was used to clean the grill in it.
- You can see the black soot in your exhaust pipes if you scrub it.
What depth can you go if your car exhaust is submerged underwater?
You have probably seen videos on YouTube of car exhausts submerged in water. You might be curious about how far you can submerge a car engine underwater.
You should be able to submerge your vehicle in water for 15 feet without damaging it .
If you push the car further down below the surface of water, you can tell if your vehicle is getting closer to 15 feet.
You can drive so far underwater because you have more than 2ft of clearance above your exhaust pipe.
Is it necessary to clean the exhaust from your car if it is submerged in water?
While you don’t need to clean your car’s exhaust you may need to do so if you have submerged the pipe in water for too much.
It is possible to wonder why the exhaust needs to be cleaned in the first place or if it should be clogged.
Conclusion
You can easily submerge your vehicle exhaust under water. However, it is important to not push the vehicle too far into the water.
Exposed exhaust pipes should not be buried deeper than 15 feet. This is because higher pressure builds up within your muffler, and you may experience problems that you won’t be able fix yourself.
Reference
Get expert guidance on how to safely drive through flood water and protect your vehicle from damage.