[mdourney]

Hi, there. Had a bad day Sunday here in SW Florida. Was in a neighborhood, and the skies opened up. No issue traveling the streets for first 5-10 minutes, then water started collecting. We got 3 inches of rain in like 40 minutes in seemed.

Long story short, I went through an intersection and the water was higher than expected -- maybe 4 inches? Car stalled out, and rain continued to rise to just below the bottom of the door on my 2012 535i...so maybe 6 inches? Did not try to restart it. Had it towed to dealer for investigation.

According to my service advisor, they pressurized the engine and it held no pressure. They claimed it was hydro locked. This was Monday. Insurance is on the way, it'll be covered by comprehensive, most likely. Maybe new engine, maybe total loss.

My question: for a 2012 535i 6cyl twin turbo...where exactly are the air intakes located that sucked in this much water? My service guy said "they are low," but how low?

Also, some on this forum have stories that the engine started up after drying out a while. Fairly remote possibility?

Thanks so much. I have looked at other similar stories on this forum, and it has been very helpful!

[Unspec]

Right behind the kidney grilles.

[Trainwreck914]

Intercooler sits very low. Bottom of bumper. The grill under the kidneys.

[OnlyGerman]

This is such a fear of mine being in a similar area

[Hoa]

Most hydrolocked engine are salvageable unless it had water in it for a long period of time.

If your insurance company is involved, it will be totaled.

[CanadianTSi]

There is just one intake on your single turbo n55 and it definitely higher than 6 inches off the ground.

[kohsin]

Assuming it's 6 in of water standing, the actual height after you intially plowed thru can easily double that height

[Hellboy550i]

Originally Posted by mdourney

Hi, there. Had a bad day Sunday here in SW Florida. Was in a neighborhood, and the skies opened up. No issue traveling the streets for first 5-10 minutes, then water started collecting. We got 3 inches of rain in like 40 minutes in seemed.

Long story short, I went through an intersection and the water was higher than expected -- maybe 4 inches? Car stalled out, and rain continued to rise to just below the bottom of the door on my 2012 535i...so maybe 6 inches? Did not try to restart it. Had it towed to dealer for investigation.

According to my service advisor, they pressurized the engine and it held no pressure. They claimed it was hydro locked. This was Monday. Insurance is on the way, it'll be covered by comprehensive, most likely. Maybe new engine, maybe total loss.

My question: for a 2012 535i 6cyl twin turbo...where exactly are the air intakes located that sucked in this much water? My service guy said "they are low," but how low?

Also, some on this forum have stories that the engine started up after drying out a while. Fairly remote possibility?

Thanks so much. I have looked at other similar stories on this forum, and it has been very helpful!

Same happened to me , my engine is v8 . After it stalled I cranked it couple of times didn’t work . Towed to dealer they quoted 24k for new engine , towed to 3 rd party mechanic and he changed the air filter , spark plugs , removed water from intake , and the it started . Engine running fine

[mdourney]

Forgot to tie off on this one. First, thanks for the info. At the end of the day insurance totaled the car. Gave me a good value for the vehicle, but I was still very disappointed that I drowned the car…I’m a bit and hold kind of guy and really enjoyed and took care of the vehicle (water torture notwithstanding!).

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by mdourney

Forgot to tie off on this one. First, thanks for the info. At the end of the day insurance totaled the car. Gave me a good value for the vehicle, but I was still very disappointed that I drowned the car…I’m a bit and hold kind of guy and really enjoyed and took care of the vehicle (water torture notwithstanding!).

Sorry to read, but glad insurance seems to be working with you. Hopefully not too hard to replace... Dud you stay with the same make/model or move to something else?