Hydrolock?

[Ball Droid]

how can an engine be hydrolocked by driving fast over a 6" deep puddle?

the air intake to the air filter is located by the front wheel well, right?

even if water gets sucked up there, wont the air filter stop water from entering the engine?

 

[concept]

In theory, an engine can pull water through an air filter, especially if the intake tube upstream of the air filter becomes immersed.
My MX5 and my son's Honda CX both have intake filters that are very low. Both of us avoid deep puddles or streams of water, as much as possible.