Can a Car Still Be Driven After the Engine Has Been Submerged in Water?
4 Answers
If the engine has been submerged in water, the car should not be driven or used. It must be inspected and repaired before use. How to handle an engine that has taken in water: Do not start the engine immediately. Have the car towed to a safe area, then tow it to an auto repair shop for servicing; replace the engine oil and clean related engine components. Dangers of a water-submerged engine: Once water enters a car's engine, at best, the spark plugs may fail to ignite or the engine may stall directly; at worst, it could lead to engine seizure. The simplest way to check if an engine has been submerged in water is to inspect the color of the engine oil for any abnormalities. If the oil turns milky white, it indicates that water has entered the fuel tank or engine.
As someone who frequently discusses safety issues in the community, I firmly believe that driving after the engine has been submerged in water is absolutely unacceptable due to the high risks involved. Once water enters the cylinders, it can lock the pistons, causing the engine to stall or even break—similar to how forcing objects into machinery can damage its core components. Beyond that, electrical short circuits can lead to even more dangerous electrical problems. A neighbor of mine attempted to start his car after last year's flood, only for it to smoke and nearly catch fire. Fortunately, he stopped in time, but the repairs cost him tens of thousands. Safety should always come first—I recommend immediately turning off the engine and calling for roadside assistance, letting professionals tow and inspect the vehicle. During regular driving, I always remind everyone to avoid flooded areas. Even after the rain stops, don’t let your guard down, as water-filled potholes can be deceptively deep. Regular maintenance can prevent such troubles—check the air filter and seals to ensure they can effectively block water intrusion.
I'm the kind of person who loves tinkering with car engines. Never attempt to start a waterlogged engine. Water entering the cylinders can cause hydrolock, where the piston compresses water instead of air, generating tremendous force that can snap connecting rods or crankshafts. The repairs for this are costly and labor-intensive. I remember once working on a car with similar damage—it was full of rust and scale deposits, requiring complete disassembly, cleaning, and part replacements at a frightening cost. The electronic control module might also short-circuit and fry everything upon startup. The proper response is simple: turn off the engine immediately, don't touch the ignition key, and have it towed to a shop for professional inspection with tools like a compression test to gauge severity. For prevention, I teach my friends to drive slowly through puddles in the rain to avoid splashing water into the air intake. Parking on higher ground is safer, and checking weather forecasts in advance during flood season helps.
When I first started driving, I encountered this issue: the engine wouldn't start at all after being submerged in water. The mechanic told me that water had jammed the internal components, and forcing it to start would ruin the engine. The water also caused a short circuit, making the dashboard flicker wildly, which really panicked me at the time. Now I understand that once the engine is flooded, the smartest move is not to touch the car and directly call for a tow truck to send it for inspection. Don't risk driving it to save money—if something goes wrong, it could damage the car and compromise driving safety. During maintenance, pay attention to the sealing rings; replacing them can reduce the risk of leaks.
