Air Intake

[wayne36]

Recently, a friend who drove his e36 318 in a flooded road (only 1 ft to 1.5ft high flood, really) at jalan Peel told me that his car just stalled, even though he was driving in gear 1 (manual transmission).Upon inspection, it was found that even with small floods, the water splashed into the air intake system, situated 2ft high near the front grill. The water went through the air filter, all the way into the intake manifold.Needless to say, the car stalled, when other protons, nissans and what nots just went past with ease.AAM came and said that its common with BMWs to stall in even the slightest flooded area. Now my friend is forking out alot of moolah for an overhaul.Anybody else had this problem? Any views?

 

[Jules]

wayne36,sorry to hear ur pal's predicatement.....but 1 - 1.5ft is by no means shallow esp when the lower door sill is probably below that!from an engineer's point of view, operating in "floods" esp for a upmarket car is surely not one of the factors car designers consider.......nevermind...ask ur pal to buy an X5 okay! but dun cross 5ft deep water ah!

 

[OSFlanker]

Sorry to hear about your friend's predicament.It's not a design flaw where the air intake is situated. No doubt in floods this will cause water to be sucked in but don't forget this is a road going saloon car and not designed to traverse water.As you said, he travelled through 1-1.5 ft of water. At that level, you can't even see if you are travelling through road, drain or if there is a massive hole in the middle. Defensive driving will tell you to stop the vehicle until you can see CLEARLY what you are driving through.Anyway, I was told the air intake is situated low down as the airflow there is stronger thus enabling better breathing for the engine.

 

[bazet]

My experience of travelling in flooded road..I get lighter clutch response after that........that is one mixed experience......

 

[kevster30]

You guys need to take diving lessons.........what were you thinking trying to tranverse 1.5ft high water in such a low slung designed automobile? I guess that's why the X3 and X5 exists huh?

 

[ALBundy]

If you pal notice the actual location where fresh air is sucked is just slightly above the bumper, about 1- 1.5 ft above ground and the air box is higher. This is to promote the "venturi effect". So is it a flaw? No I don't think so. But your buddy may have a case if he is in US kekeke. Remember the old lady that spilled coffee on her lap and won millions suing McD's? Reason was she did not know the coffee was hot since it wasnt printed on the paper cup!Al

 

[three28]

Yeah the actual intake tunnel is actually situated just above the bumper. Driving thru flooded roads are not recomended ...Sorry to hear about this .. cheers

 

[Eldrow]

Originally posted by kevster30@Dec 13 2004, 01:41 PM .....what were you thinking trying to tranverse 1.5ft high water in such a low slung designed automobile?
I wouldn't even go even if it was 1"... forget about 1.5 man...

 

[flash]

I wud think twice now of driving thru floodwaters in my BMW... it was different then when I was driving my "low-slung" jalopy. If the engine of my jalopy kong, I can always get a cheap half-cut. But if it was a BMW, eeekkk! Worse yet, I am back in East Coast, right in them iddle of the flood season.

 

[ichiwan2]

Originally posted by OSFlanker@Dec 13 2004, 12:15 AM Anyway, I was told the air intake is situated low down as the airflow there is stronger thus enabling better breathing for the engine.
Almost right!!!Air intakes are located fairly low to get more dense air, which contains more oxygen. More oxygen - better combustion/fuel air mixture.

 

[3er]

Air density - I can understand the difference between sealevel and 10,000 ft. But between a few inches at the front of your car? Oh, come on!

 

[moots]

Originally posted by 3er@Dec 15 2004, 12:50 AM Air density - I can understand the difference between sealevel and 10,000 ft. But between a few inches at the front of your car? Oh, come on!
he he he....agree wif 3er.....come on lar ichiwan....so where's ichitwo :blink:

 

[skinhead]

Originally posted by ichiwan2@Dec 14 2004, 11:23 AM [Air intakes are located fairly low to get more dense air, which contains more oxygen. More oxygen - better combustion/fuel air mixture.
ichywan... make me down ichy lar hahaha... :lol:liddis must crawl lar so ken get more o2 ...

 

[OSFlanker]

Originally posted by 3er@Dec 14 2004, 04:50 PM Air density - I can understand the difference between sealevel and 10,000 ft. But between a few inches at the front of your car? Oh, come on!
You are comparing like to like : passive air density in the 1st instance (sea level v 10,000ft) and dynamic air density in the 2nd instance.Maybe those more inclined to engineering / aerodynamics can throw some light on this. I am sure the pilots amongst us would also have studied airflow (I hope so!!!!). Come on Acegreaser, L O N G ???? hehehe

 

[ALBundy]

Originally posted by OSFlanker+Dec 14 2004, 05:30 PM-->QUOTE (OSFlanker @ Dec 14 2004, 05:30 PM)

 

[ichiwan2]

Please refer to the following site:http://autoparts.articleinsider.com/185201...air_intake.htmlLikelihood of cold air being at the lower levels is higher. How much colder, I do not know. My citroen wagon had its air intake below the head lamp assembly. I took it out precisely because I do not want water to get into my engine.Whether the height of the air intake matters or not can be debated. But cold air is definitely important for engine performance.

 

[3er]

Originally posted by ichiwan2+Dec 14 2004, 11:23 AM-->QUOTE (ichiwan2 @ Dec 14 2004, 11:23 AM)

 

[OSFlanker]

Originally posted by 3er+Dec 14 2004, 08:12 PM-->QUOTE (3er @ Dec 14 2004, 08:12 PM)

Originally posted by ichiwan2@Dec 14 2004, 11:23 AM

 

[ichiwan2]

For the scientists amongst ushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_of_airhttp://wxpaos09.colorado.edu/air/