How deep is too deep for the Z?

ProfessorDave

Hi All,

We had flash flooding (again) here last night. I had to go through a fairly deep puddle (actually it was part of a creek that jumped it's banks). I could not avoid it - only way home. I would say it was 8-10" deep . Fortunately I made it through without incident, but I was holding my breath, worried mainly about hydrolock (note: if the meteorologists knew anything useful, they would have forecast this possibility instead of the "light showers" they predicted , and I would have been in the Mazda3 and not the Z!).

So it got me wondering, how deep is too deep? Obviously, I would prefer not to drive through any standing water, but wondered what is safe in terms of intake inlet height, ability to sustain traction, etc.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

azn370z

Your intakes are at the top of the engine bay, behind the headlights.

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2010 k23
H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

kenchan

i think you will see water on your floor before engine dies.

professordave- i thought driving in rain was for your mazda?

ClemsonWill

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delusional

unless you have injens which hang all the way down there. i think you'd be fine.

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SPOHN

When it stops running then you went to far.

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kidkotic2001

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ThAt WaS a CrAzY nIgHt

spearfish25

Top of the door sill will get your attention when the water starts coming inside. But if my Z is going through any puddle it's already too deep. I dodge puddles...wet roads only.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

nmjaxx9

I just had to drive back home and it was raining so hard, I had to go through a couple puddles luckily nothing happened, the Z was able to handle it.

Cyberium

Yeah if you think water is going to go into stock intakes you can count on having more serious problems at that point.

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Stillen G3 Intakes | F. I TDX

kno

everyone failed to say, you car will also die if water gets into your exhaust.

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07 solar orange 295whp_253wtq Miami SFZCC Rep

Daveski38

7/2010

Wife got in a high water situation in her 05 with stock intake. High rised 4x4 comes barreling thru from other direction pushing up a wall of water.

Long story short engine was hydrolocked and car was totaled

Masa

Sounds like the OP needs an NSX...

Acura NSX submarine

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BMW 340i
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

MacCool

Did you suck water into your differential via the vent? Hot differential + cold water usually means water in the differential. Submerging in 10 inches of water wouldn't worry me if the engine kept running and the starter kept working, but first thing I'd do is check my engine oil - make sure it wasn't mocha-brown suggesting water contaminition, and then I'd change the oil in my differential.

ProfessorDave

Kenchan, I would have had the Mazda if the weather forecast said anything about rain! With only occasional showers predicted, I wasn't expecting flooding! Plus, stupid Mazda forgot to tighten the stupid lock nut on one wheel after an alignment and I was waiting for a replacement lug nut. I don't like driving with only 4, so I left it home. Stupid weather people! Stupid Mazda technician!

Spearfish, I must not have been up to the door sills, as there was no sign of water infiltration. I also followed an SUV through the water, and their wake probably decreased the depth for me.

MacCool, I will check the oil for discoloration. Thanks!

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT