Some months back when I was in pre-order mode I remember the dreaded "hydro lock." This was reported to be a major engine failure where the air intake was sucking standing water from the road, injecting it into the throttle body with piston/crank breakage to follow. The intake was claimed to be mounted too low in the air dam or something. There were several posters with different horror stories. I still tweak when I see a monster puddle in my lane.

Inspecting the '04 intake it seems pretty high near the top of the radiator line. This is an MC. Was/is this exclusive to the S? Did this problem go away or could it be a MINI myth?

 

Not MINI myth, more like MINI minority! As long as you don't go fording any rivers or trolling in your nearest pond, you'll be fine.

 

Ryephile, that's what I thought - rare but true. So now with three or more of these cases reported how did those cars plow that much water? If the intake has always been mounted 2 feet from the road then ferry boating is the only way to pull this off.

I still slow down when I see an inch plus of standing water. Just the thought of the sound of a total lock-up is scary. I know my dealer and they would somehow make certain it was my fault. Uh, how much is a new engine not covered by warr.?

 

So tell me, for people that have aftermarket intakes, like me (Moss MINI)
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=34118

Do I need to worry about driving in the rain?? Are these intakes susceptible to inducing Hydro Lock because they are not enclosed like the OEM intake?

Just curious.

 

Tropical Storm Charlie hit our area after downgrading from the Hurricane that ate Florida.

My husband was driving my MINI to check on things at work (he's a military police officer) and went down a dimly lit road he has driven many, many times. But not in a storm like Charlie. Needless to say, I got a call that night which he opens with "Sweetie, I have bad news."
I just knew it before he said anything and I kinda..well, shrieked, "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR?"

He had taken the right turn through a puddle that looked deceptively shallow... well it WASN'T...the water ended up over the headlights. I know, I know, how could he think it was shallow? Luckily for him, I went to pick him up in the storm and I saw the way the wind was hitting the puddle...you could even see the street lines through the water. When you turned, the road took a big dip, just enough to dunk your car.

Due to the storm, GEICO called our claim "No Fault" and paid for a new engine : $7292.00. We Paid the $250 deductible.

It can happen, even to a man who is an EVOC teacher and has great driving technique...
But let's say that he doesn't drive in the rain without me. HAH!