4 ms·

And if not properly (re)designed, this is also a great way to hydrolock your engine. Water doesn't compress, that's why it effectively increases your compressio

And if not properly (re)designed, this is also a great way to hydrolock your engine. Water doesn't compress, that's why it effectively increases your compression ratio. That's also why your engine hydrolocks if it gets water-logged. Water doesn't compress = pistons can't move.

dpark 10y ago
You'd have to be a pretty incompetent automotive engineer to inject enough water to cause hydrolocking. Injecting water isn't done to "effectively increase your compression ratio". If that were the goal, you'd just increase the stroke. Water injection cools the engine, allowing a higher compression ratio. If you injected enough water to meaningfully increase the compression ratio on a 3L engine, you'd run out of water in minutes anyway.
- lightedman 10y ago
  "You'd have to be a pretty incompetent automotive engineer to inject enough water to cause hydrolocking." Ever hear of a shadetree mechanic? I've had to fix up after many of them. Two hydrolocked engines, rusted out radiator (they put deionized water in the reservoir, straight up) and plenty of failed turbo modifications. I would not be surprised to see someone try doing this themselves and failing miserably.
  - dpark 10y ago
    No, I've never heard of Bosch or BMW hiring shade tree mechanics to design engines. I'm relatively confident that this isn't a real issue. I think your concern about weekend mechanics is also unwarranted because most of them aren't morons. The ones who are will be morons regardless and manage to destroy cars regardless.
    - lightedman 10y ago
      "I think your concern about weekend mechanics is also unwarranted because most of them aren't morons." Go to an AutoX competition or two and I bet you'll be changing your mind on that opinion very quickly.
- smileysteve 10y ago
  > Water injection cools the engine, allowing a higher compression ratio. Not mentioned in the article or the comments yet is that the water to steam conversion that takes place increases volume 1700x.
mox1 10y ago
you realize that the engine would get hydrolocked if you pushed too much gas in there as well right? Somehow manufacturers have solved that problem, I don't think this is an issue.
- lightedman 10y ago
  Manufacturers solved that problem. Now what about the typical mom and pop shop that might try making such a modification or installing such an engine into a vehicle?

dpark 10y ago

You'd have to be a pretty incompetent automotive engineer to inject enough water to cause hydrolocking. Injecting water isn't done to "effectively increase your compression ratio". If that were the goal, you'd just increase the stroke. Water injection cools the engine, allowing a higher compression ratio. If you injected enough water to meaningfully increase the compression ratio on a 3L engine, you'd run out of water in minutes anyway.

lightedman 10y ago
"You'd have to be a pretty incompetent automotive engineer to inject enough water to cause hydrolocking." Ever hear of a shadetree mechanic? I've had to fix up after many of them. Two hydrolocked engines, rusted out radiator (they put deionized water in the reservoir, straight up) and plenty of failed turbo modifications. I would not be surprised to see someone try doing this themselves and failing miserably.
- dpark 10y ago
  No, I've never heard of Bosch or BMW hiring shade tree mechanics to design engines. I'm relatively confident that this isn't a real issue. I think your concern about weekend mechanics is also unwarranted because most of them aren't morons. The ones who are will be morons regardless and manage to destroy cars regardless.
  - lightedman 10y ago
    "I think your concern about weekend mechanics is also unwarranted because most of them aren't morons." Go to an AutoX competition or two and I bet you'll be changing your mind on that opinion very quickly.
smileysteve 10y ago
> Water injection cools the engine, allowing a higher compression ratio. Not mentioned in the article or the comments yet is that the water to steam conversion that takes place increases volume 1700x.

mox1 10y ago

you realize that the engine would get hydrolocked if you pushed too much gas in there as well right? Somehow manufacturers have solved that problem, I don't think this is an issue.

lightedman 10y ago
Manufacturers solved that problem. Now what about the typical mom and pop shop that might try making such a modification or installing such an engine into a vehicle?