Hydrolocking - Possible Cause and Solution

Due to the stringent emission requirements the technology has been upgraded from carburetor to multi point fuel injection system. The intake system has been redesigned, for the MPFI technology, due to the space constraint and to take advantage of ram air (opening in the front of vehicle). This type of design may be more prone to hydrolocking because of lower WL (Water Line) and the opening of the intake facing the front of vehicle. The present paper describes the experimental investigations that were carried out on a passenger car fitted with four cylinder MPFI SI engine. An attempt has been made to identify the effect of different parameters like water level, vehicle speed and gear position on the hydrolocking tendency. Based upon the observations necessary modifications have been done in the existing intake system to minimize the chances of hydrolocking.