Hydro Static Locking

I had purchase BMW 5 Series in India in 2010. since than the car gets hydro static locked during rains and the engines stops. this happens even when there are rains and say about an inch or two inches of water flowing on the road I am told that as per the BMW designs if water did get into the intakes it would pool and fall out of the airbox before causing trouble.
but this is not happening in India and during July there are a number of BMWs gets stranded on the road and have to towed to service station(may be more than 50 cars at any given day in July-Aug in Delhi alone).
the company is recommending changing the whole Engine and the Insurance companies do not cover Hydro static lock.
are BMWs usable during rains i wonder. what happens when it starts to rain during a journey. should one stop the car under the nearest tree.

No problem in torrential downpours in any of my 3 different 5 series I have owned. What's up with the car spec in India???

Maybe remove the cold air snorkel that opens to the front of the radiator? Do you have all the plastic panels in place on the bottom of the car?

Originally Posted by Amit Bhargava

I had purchase BMW 5 Series in India in 2010. since than the car gets hydro static locked during rains and the engines stops. this happens even when there are rains and say about an inch or two inches of water flowing on the road I am told that as per the BMW designs if water did get into the intakes it would pool and fall out of the airbox before causing trouble.
but this is not happening in India and during July there are a number of BMWs gets stranded on the road and have to towed to service station(may be more than 50 cars at any given day in July-Aug in Delhi alone).
the company is recommending changing the whole Engine and the Insurance companies do not cover Hydro static lock.
are BMWs usable during rains i wonder. what happens when it starts to rain during a journey. should one stop the car under the nearest tree.

Only if you like high voltage.

Looks like you have a turbo diesel, from your signature; so you have some plumbing for intercooler, if one of the clamps was loose some water can get into the intake after prolong drive in 2-3 inches of water on the road. Yes it's possible.

Or if you drive through a deep flooded road.

I live is Seattle where it rains a whole lot, and 1" standing water on freeway is normal occurences and never have problem with any of my cars driving at freeway speed for long time.

BTW, if your car sufefrs from hydro-lock, the engine is gone; but it must be some amount of water to get into the intake, a few droplets will turn into steams since th engine is pretty hot when running.