At what water level is a car considered flooded?
1 Answers
Flood-damaged vehicles refer to cars that have been submerged in water, typically indicating that the wiring harness has been soaked, the water immersion depth exceeds one-third of the wheel height, and the underbody components have been in prolonged contact with water. Impact of engine flooding: When the water level during wading is higher than the engine's air intake, water can directly enter the cylinders, forming a mixture of air and water. While air is compressible, water is not. This means that when the crankshaft pushes the connecting rod to compress toward the piston, the water cannot be compressed, causing the connecting rod to bend under the resistance of the water. If the owner attempts to restart the vehicle after the engine has stalled due to water ingestion, the immense counterforce can cause the bent connecting rod to rub against the cylinder wall, potentially rupturing the engine block instantly, resulting in exorbitant repair costs. Impact on interior: When water rises above the door level, the car's interior is likely to get flooded. Rainwater is not clean and contains many impurities. Post-flood, the car interior becomes an extremely humid greenhouse environment—ideal for mold growth. If the vehicle is not dried promptly, mold can quickly ruin the interior's fabric and leather upholstery.