Anyone living in Houston has to be familiar with minor flash floods. Last night (9/16) I was driving through Richmond in between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway through some high water. I'd say the water was right below the beginning of the door frame . I realized this was a bad idea, but I kept it in first gear, my RPMs high, and followed a small SUV. The car sliced through the high water easily and maintained 15-20 mph. After getting home, I let the engine run for a little while and listened for anything out of the ordinary. I am guessing everything is fine.
Is there anything I should check?
I know I should just avoid high water, but, for curiosity sake, what is the absolute maximum water level can a 997 drive through?

 

Put a snorkel on your air intake, keep your windows closed and you can venture through 3 feet of water (not).

 

Neither do I know firsthand, nor do I want to.

Hopefully, all remains well.

 

thats what i figured. haha. just have to keep your rpms up so water doesnt go into your exhaust. i was just curious. i did notice that my oil temps went from 200 degrees to 160-170 degrees. i cant imagine thats good.

 

Lived in Houston for a number years and lived through a good number of floods nearly every time it rained. I don't miss it. As for the water, if it was not above the wheel bearings you should be OK but if it was my car I'd let my mechanic know about it and maybe have him put it on a lift for a look see. Water damage has a tendency to show up much later on, after it's done it's damage. No harm done to have him look even if there was no harm done.

 

I would be concerned about sucking in water through the intake. The rooster tail coming of the back wheels might just sling enough water near the intake that it causes a problem

 

Why risk it? We've all seen too many cases people losing their cars (and lives that way.)

Even if you got an idea in your head that however many inch of water may be okay. It does not take in consideration how fast that water is moving. At the very least in a fast moving current it will shift your car into another object or worst case take the whole car to where deeper water is converging. I've seen an overconfident Hummer getting swept off a bridge into the creek with 3-4 inches of water on the ground in Austin. That's a taller and heavier vehicle than the 997.

 

As stated above, have your wheel bearings checked as high water can require the bearings being repacked. As you were able to get through (this time) without taking in any water, you should consider yourself lucky and probably take a cab next time.

 

Stay tuned. Das Boot II

 

Absolutely. However Houston has a specific situation. It is as flat as [insert flat chested celebrity]. Our flash floods don't move. Water just accumulates.

@denversteve. Thanks for the heads up. I will do that.

 

Well I live in Kingwood NE Houston and I know exactly what you mean by flash floods here. Honestly, it's why I NEVER drive in the rain here. Which might explain why I have 8500 miles on my car lol.