Conformal coating - fine, I guess.
Putting an ECU in a waterproof plastic box - No. Don't do this.
1) You won't ever seal it properly. It's not possible to cut a big enough hole in a relatively small plastic box to get all the plugs/loom through the box and then effectively seal it up again. A partially/poorly sealed box is worse than having the computer in free air because it will trap any water that does get in. The way to seal it would be to use a fairly stiff sided box or something like a Pelican case and then use a Cannon, Lemo or Amphenol pass though connector, which is going to be outrageously expensive. this would allow the box to be properly sealed but will involve masses of solder connections which add their own level of unreliability and potential impedance issues.
2) Computers run warm. This means they generate condensation when running if sealed into a box with atmospheric (i.e damp) air inside. Obviously, this also generates pressure and will try to defeat sealing, and when it cools it will draw in moist air from wherever the seal has been compromised leading to more condensation.
I have seen attempts at sealing computers, none of which were effective.
Some/many OEM's now run the computers in the engine bay or even on the engine itself, but, as you can imagine, they are built incredibly robustly and are generally fully potted with urethane to insulate and protect the circuitry.
The cars I have wired with factory ECU's up behind the dash (either above the glovebox or next to the steering column have never given trouble. Granted, I've never submerged a car to that depth and have no intention of doing so, but experience has taught me it is possible to clean and dry an ECU after submersion and have it work properly.
I do/have pressure washed the inside of my car with an unprotected ECU without issue.
Steve.
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