Can a car still be driven if water gets into the engine oil?
4 Answers
If water gets into the engine oil, the car should not be driven. Continuing to drive may lead to the following consequences: 1. The air filter may take in water, causing the engine to inhale air and form water vapor in the intake tract; 2. A small amount of water entering the engine cylinders may mix with the engine oil, degrading the oil quality. Engine oil containing water can increase wear on engine components, leading to louder engine noise and greater vibration while driving. Engine oil, also known as engine lubricant, is composed of base oil and additives. Its functions include: 1. Lubrication; 2. Assisting in cooling; 3. Cleaning; 4. Sealing and leak prevention; 5. Rust and corrosion prevention; 6. Shock absorption and cushioning, as well as anti-wear properties.
I've been driving for over 30 years and have seen too many cases of engines being ruined by continuing to drive with water-contaminated oil. You really can't take chances with this. When water mixes with engine oil, it turns milky white and the lubricating performance plummets. You might not feel anything while driving, but precision components like bearing shells and pistons are essentially grinding dry inside the engine. Prolonged operation will inevitably cause cylinder scoring. Last month, a young guy in our fleet noticed his oil turned white after driving through floodwater but ignored it. After just 20 kilometers, his car broke down on the road - the engine overhaul cost him 18,000 yuan. That's why if you discover water contamination, you should immediately shut off the engine. Calling for roadside assistance is always the best move.
As an auto mechanic, I strongly advise against starting the engine if water has mixed with the engine oil. Just the other day, we had a Tougan in the shop - the owner reported sudden severe shaking while driving. When we removed the oil cap, we found a fully emulsified mixture of oil and water. Where does the water come from? Common causes include blown cylinder head gaskets or deteriorated seals in the oil cooler. Continuing to drive in this condition leads to insufficient oil pressure, which can cause crankshaft seizure. The repair costs for that could buy you half a new engine. The proper procedure is to call a tow truck. At the shop, we first remove the spark plugs and manually rotate the engine to drain water, then replace the oil and filter, and finally inspect cylinder wall wear using a borescope. The entire process typically takes at least two full days to complete properly.
As a mom and a seasoned driver with ten years of experience, I know all too well how troublesome a breakdown can be. The moment water gets into the engine oil, it’s like cooking with salad oil—it might seem usable, but it’s actually damaging the engine. Last week, my best friend’s car went through this. She mentioned hearing squeaky noises while driving, and the mechanic later drained half a paper cup of water from the oil. Water corrodes the engine internals, causing a car that could last ten years to fail prematurely. I taught her a three-step method: safely pull over and turn off the engine, call the insurance company for a free tow, and insist on checking the cylinder head gasket and oil pan seals at the repair shop. It’s a hassle, but better than calling a tow truck mid-journey.
