Is there a problem with tailpipe submerged in water at boat launch?

[Andy Chase]

Ive noticed some of the lakes I fish in MN have shallow, low sloped boat launches. When I back the boat up with the ST at some of these launches the boat isnt fully in the water when I back the trac up and avoid getting the tail-pipe below the waters surface. I thought I remember hearing that you shouldnt submerge your tailpipe or you could get water into the exhaust and it could stall your vehicle. I never really had this problem with my previous truck that I drove because my 93 F-150 rode high enough that the tail pipe was never close enough to cause any problems.



My question is, Is it bad to submerge the exhaust pipe? If so whats the best solution. I cant really afford a body lift kit, but have been thinking about doing the Torsion Twist/Shackle lift kit, which might give me another 1-2 of backing the boat in on these sites and hopefully eliminate the amount of heaving and hoeing I need to do to get the boat off of the trailer.

:boohoo:

 

[Chris Smith 8]

Avoid this! Otherwise, no real problems with brief submergence of tailpipe.[Broken External Image]:

:bwahaha:

 

[Steve McKellop]

Won't hurt anything as long as you don't drive in forwards......:grin:





Darn ! I was looking for that photo!:fire:

 

[Brian Thomas 2]

If its momentary, you'll probably be fine. But if its for minutes while you get out of the truck and tie the boat up, your engine may die if it can't let the exhaust exit.

 

[Shaun Tucker]

i love how they are still trying to figure out how to get the boat in the water in that picture.

:bwahaha:



"stupid is as stupid does"

 

[Steve McKellop]

What you can't see is the Obama bumper sticker on the truck bumper!:bwahaha:

 

[swshawaii]

Never had a problem, as long as the engine was running.

Hydrolock is unlikely with the engine running at idle.

If your tail pipe is submerged, your wheel bearings and brakes are also.

Used to a launch off the beach, without a ramp, in the Pacific Ocean.

Even with thorough undercarriage pressure washing, metal parts corroded quickly.

Also, make it a habit to disconnect the trailer light plug before launching.

I've seen several electrical systems shorted, due to a leaking light, etc.

Remove the caps on the bottom of the rear doors, to avoid trapping water.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Had a buddy stall out his 4 runner in a puddle well above tail pipe height:banghead: fired it right back up and got out of the puddle the truck smoked white until all the water was out of the pipe (atleast and hour) . That being said it ran fine, before and after being submerged and stalled. So i would say submerging it is fine, as long as you can see (bubbles) the exhaust exiting the pipe.

 

[Andy Chase]

It is all freshwater here in the Midwest. I have always unplugged the lights since my dad popped a few trailer lights when I was a kid. Thanks for the feed back on this. That's been my only complaint with the ST is the location of the exhuast as I was worried I'd stall the engine if I backed in too far.

 

[EddieS'04]

The only time you may suck water into the exhaust is. If you rev the motor high enough, with pipe sumerge. On decreasing rpms. You might creat a vaccum backpressure.

This is one of the reasons you should ride the brake and slightly thottle up, while driving through high water. When the tail pipe is sugmerge. It keeps a positive exhaust pressure with no reverse flow.

 

[gary s]

i used my 91 escort to tow my 2 waverunners and in a similar situation ( long shallow ramp ),

my tailpipe would always be submerged with never a problem. the only problem i had was when the water started coming thru the bottom of the rear doors :bwahaha:

 

[Ben Geller]

Been launching the boat with my ST, RAM, and Montana for many many years. Pipe is always submerged. Leave vehicle running as to not get water into the system and you have nothing to worry about. Just remember to disconnect the trailer lights!!!