Problems driving in the rain...

[COspeed]

I was just driving through a major rain storm, when all of a sudden, my car started sounding terrible and I lost a TON of power. It was almost like I was sucking water through my air filter. But I checked the filter and it was totally dry... I also checked my IC piping and it all seemed ok. Where else could I be sucking water into the intake system? Are there any other possible culprits? Electrical system maybe?

The exhaust tone totally changes when this stuff happens. It gets really deep and the car sounds like it's going to die. If I press on the gas pedal, not much happens, and I can barely build boost... But as soon as I get over dry (or less wet) land, it goes away gradually. Also, this has happened before when the conditions weren't as wet, and the symptoms weren't as serious. If anyone has any ideas, send em my way. Thanks!

 

[mccarlin]

The only time my car has done that was when the plugs and/or wires went bad. Obviously it didnt only happen when it was wet out like you claim, but i cant think of anything else that would ride rough, lose power, and sound like crap.

 

[COspeed]

Yeah, it's weird... I was thinking maybe some electrical components got wet (coil, resistor pack, plug wires...). But everything inside my engine bay seemed really dry. If my alternator got doused with water, it would probably produce some ill effects... but wouldn't my engine just stop if the battery died??

 

[COspeed]

One more thing... It only happens when I'm splashing up a lot of water. Like in a heavy rain storm or when driving over a small puddle.

 

[67goatpimp]

if you're running a lot of boost it's especially easy to suck in water. my friend was running a vortech supercharger on his focus at 10psi, maybe less, but because of the position of the CAI he would suck in mad amounts of water if he even STARTED to boost and his engine would run like shit. and i know a few other focus guys who have hydrolocked running a CAI (which is just an aluminum shield around a cone filter in a focus up by the driver strut tower...not really water accessible).

http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/...91&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1 if anyone is interested

 

[COspeed]

Every time this has happened, I wasn't boosting at all. Just cruising along... Nothing weird happens with any of my electronics (stereo, lights, SAFC, gauges, etc...) I really can't figure out what's going on.

 

[MrDee]

If water related.it usually cures itself after time..howlong has your can been drivin since problem?

 

[COspeed]

oh yeah, it gradually cures itself after about 10-20 seconds once I get over dry pavement...

 

[Sk8er07999]

oh yeah, it gradually cures itself after about 10-20 seconds once I get over dry pavement...

Well we are obviously getting water somewhere where it shouldn't be. I imagine you checked the upper intercooler piping right? I was thinking maybe a hole in the intercooler? I am in colorado too man if you need some help hit me up.