Is it true that a diesel engine can operate under water while a gasoline engine cannot?
Is it true that a diesel engine can operate under water while a gasoline engine cannot? You sometimes see military vehicles running in “extreme” conditions, and these conditions can include deep submersion during river fording. Creating a vehicle that can run submerged is a challenge — In order for any type of combustion engine to run it must have a source of air, and it must be able to release exhaust gasses. If the water is not too deep (a few feet), the exhaust gases can take care of themselves because they are under pressure. The air intake is usually the problem — as soon as you submerge the air intake, the engine can no longer get air and it will stop running. You can get around the air intake problem by adding a snorkel. Military Humvees often have a snorkel attached, and it allows them to submerge in up to 5 feet (1.6 meters) of water (see this page for some n
