Is Prius Extra Flood-worthy?

No. The engine is above the level you described. Flood water can be especially bad for the Prius, given all of the electronics and associated connectors. Flood water getting into the Prius is generally enough to total it, even if it only covers the floor pan.

Tom

 

Electricity and water and not good companions.
If the water was up to the door sills, you might want to make an appointment to have a technician look into possible latent water damage in the battery compartment.
Just might be prudent.

 

if you made a wake, and didn't stop in the puddle, I would think you pretty much threw enough water out of the puddle to not do any damage. I wouldn't be concerned.

If you came out to a parked car that was sill-deep, then I'd have concerns.

 

I still don't understand why people think covering the exhaust will kill the engine. As long as there is some volume in the exhaust close to the engine with gas in it rather than water the engine will be fine. If the engine is running this will be the case most of the time. It's the -intake- that can't take water.

Most stalls in water involve either the intake or the ignition. The Prius intake is up about 18-24" above the road and the ignition is on top of the engine.

The traction battery is the most vulnerable part. It's about 18" above the road but as long as you don't stop in the deep water you can run through even deeper water than that without it getting that high in the car. The problem is the intake will flood and WILL stop you, with the consequence of the water then getting into the battery via the spare tire drain hole and probably other gaps. The cabling is protected. If you drive in rain (which we all do) it gets soaked. That never causes problems. Hence I wouldn't worry about it.

Check under the spare tire for "sandbars" or mud, which would be evidence of water coming in. The water should be gone by now, and probably didn't cause any damage.

 

Within reason, underwater exhaust isn't a problem. That's fortunate or a lot of boats engines would be SOL

1 foot of water above the exhaust outlet results in 0.43 psi of back pressure, it would make your car sound like a quiet motorboat but do no harm.

 

The exhaust is not a problem. Lets compare it with same discovery SUVs with the air intake routed up to cabin level, but no special routing for the exhaust.

 

Are you sure? I thought you might be ok with a diesel but wouldn't you require the exhaust above the water on a petrol?

 

I'd go with your only other theory. I'd work hard to avoid flood waters with a Prius...and even most other vehicles.

 

If the engine stops and you're in water deep enough to get into the exhaust and up to the valves, then you could be in trouble because stopped, the engine can leak gas through the combustion chamber to the intake. But by then the intake would also be under water as would the hybrid battery. The car would be toast.

Because the exhaust goes -down- with no holes to atmosphere, if the engine is running it keeps gas (exhaust gas) in the exhaust pipe and manifold and water out. Both diesel and gas engines do this.

Finally, if you -suspect- the engine might have ingested water DO NOT let it try to start!! It will hydraulic lock, bend a connecting rod and destroy itself! Water, oil, or gasoline do not compress much (for most purposes not at all). If trapped in the combustion chamber it will stop the piston from rising all the way and something else will have to give - usually the connecting rod. Remove the spark plugs. Clean and dry all electronics, including the hybrid battery. Let the engine crank over a bit to force the water out. Make sure the intake is dry. Then and only then, replace the spark plugs and try to let it start the engine. But before that you may also want to change the engine oil in case there is water in there and also change the HSD oil.

Some advice for those unlucky with Irene.

 

Not to bring back a dead post.. but this guy in his Gen.III drove through some DEEP water. And he seemed to be making it.

 

If I understand the physics of it, as long as he can keep moving and keep pressure on the exhaust the car will move, now as to water getting into the vehicle and shorting battery . . that is another issue. either way he is a dumbazz for trying this stunt because he will get into a jam and rescuers will have to go after him risking their lives.

 

I'm in no way saying it's a good idea to do it, just showing what Prius is capable of going through in extreme conditions. If it came down to it. One of those things where it's like "I wouldn't do that in my car, but I'm impressed!"

 

If a Prius has been into any significant depth of water, the rules for checking it out afterward are in T-SB-0229-12 (you can find it quickly from the techinfo.toyota.com search screen by putting flood in for Keyword: and leaving all the other search fields as ALL, then looking under the TT/SB tab).

Section 1 is just about steps to make sure the car is safe to work around, and section 2 gives different lists of things to inspect based on how high the water got (level 1, lower edge of rim; level 2, axle centerline; level 3, top of rocker panel/lower door edge; level 4, lower edge of dash panel; level 5, top edge of dash panel) and whether the car was driven in the water.

Section 3 is then about repairs.

-Chap

 

Yep I had mine totalled by Sandy. Actually the main battery is totally isolated from the body and the rest when it is in park mode (not sure about driving. The battery is relatively high up.

The main danger for the engine is water going through the airfilter (not compressable). Most of the electrical connection is spalsh proof (full immersion on the other hand is NOT safe).

I recall the manual saying that water up to the center of the wheel is OK

 

are we in some kind of time warp?

 

Not an expert, but I think any high-voltage points are high in the engine, and your power pack is inside the car. Water would have to come pretty high up to cause a problem...you've likely "sunk" your Prius before it's that bad.

Any car, if water hits the engine block, it tends to "ground out" the electrical system and weaken the spark in the motor, but some are affected more so than others.