i have a 98 outback and was wondering about taking it across creeks

 

have been told it is a bad idea

 

but there must be a solution

well, it's certainly possible. but submerging an engine, especially a modern electronically controlled one, is bound to cause some problems.

 

the biggest concern is the intake. if you suck up a large quantity of water into the engine, you'll hydrolock it, and potentially destroy it. but, that isn't the only concern. although it's hard to tell in this low-quality video clip, my intake was bone dry from this stunt...

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8529&cat=500&ppuser=3242

 

the electronics (specifically the distributer, something your legacy doesn't have, but the point remains) got soaked, and while I didn't do any major damage to the engine, I was still very much stuck in that hole. which made for a very bad day!! heck, the whole next week or so was pretty miserable as I was trying to clean that all up:

 

 

But, maintain a proper bow wave (I'm going a bit too fast, you can see the low spot in the water is right under me.....ideally that low spot should be in the engine bay), and you can get through more water than you might think:

 

if that isn't enough, get yourself some dielectric grease, and seal up every electrical connection you can find. spark plugs/wires, injectors, ignitor, engine harness plugs, idle air control valve, coil, etc. etc. etc. and then relocate your intake (even just up near the firewall will help.....or go all out and make a snorkel that gets air from up near the top of the windshield).

 

like this:

WOW

 

killer pics

 

im only lookin at 12-15 inches water max

 

but im still concerned about getting water in the intake and submerging the headers

Its not just your engine that can be a problem. Awhile after doing a bunch of water crossings my Subaru started making clonking and creeking noises at every joint. Water has a way of getting through seals. Ball joints, steering joints and even bearing seals. By front bearings died in less then a year (after I replaced them with brand new ones) and when I looked inside it was all rusty grease and a little water.

Its a lot of fun, and I'd do it again. But probably not in a car worth more then a couple of hundred bucks.

WOW

 

killer pics

 

im only lookin at 12-15 inches water max

 

but im still concerned about getting water in the intake and submerging the headers

 

headers will be fine. and in that much water, the intake will be aswell (it's behind the passenger side headlight...).

 

 

and yea, like Phiz said, I wouldn't make a habit of it if you care about the car. it can get in bearings, brake calipers, axles, ball joints, rear diff, u-joints, etc. etc.

yea i think i will just take the old 77 ford through the creek and leave the subee in the dry