Can a car that stalled in water be started after being pushed out?

[LaLeonardo]

No, a car that stalled in water cannot be started after being pushed out. If the vehicle stalls due to water ingestion while driving through flooded areas, it is crucial to remain calm and immediately turn off the ignition switch. Do not attempt to restart the engine, as this can cause severe damage to the engine, and insurance companies will typically deny coverage for such claims. The potential impacts of water exposure on a car include: 1. Engine: Reduced engine power and noticeable vibrations; 2. High-voltage distribution system: Moisture or water ingress leading to short circuits; 3. Exhaust system: Water entering the exhaust pipe; 4. Brake discs and pads: Residual water preventing proper friction between brake discs and pads, resulting in loss of braking power; 5. Chassis: Debris easily accumulating in chassis gaps, leading to rust; 6. Headlights: Formation of condensation inside headlights, affecting light transmission efficiency.

[DiEden]

I've been repairing cars for twenty years and seen too many tragedies like this! Never attempt to restart your car after it stalls in water. If water enters the engine and you try to ignite it, the piston will compress water instead of air. Water is incompressible! This will forcibly bend and deform the connecting rod, requiring a complete engine teardown for repair. Last time, an owner pushed his car out but couldn't resist turning the key - got slapped with a 50,000 yuan repair bill immediately. In such situations, call a tow truck immediately. The proper procedure is to remove the spark plugs to drain water and inspect cylinder wall scratches with a borescope.

[VanEzra]

Just finished handling a water-damaged car insurance claim case, and I must remind everyone: Starting the engine after stalling in water is considered artificially expanding the damage, and the insurance company won't cover a single penny! Last month, I met a guy who pushed his car out, thought it was fine, and started the engine, only to end up with a blown engine. He had to pay the entire 40,000 repair cost out of pocket, as the insurance rejection letter clearly stated 'exclusion for secondary ignition.' The correct approach is to shift to neutral, push the car out of the water, and immediately report the incident to wait for the claims adjuster. Remember to take photos of the waterline as evidence. If the water has risen above the exhaust pipe, a thorough inspection is absolutely necessary.

[LaMakayla]

Last time I got stuck in a river off-roading and the engine stalled. A teammate grabbed my hand as I reached for the key, saving the car. After pushing it out, the first thing was to crawl under and check if the air filter box had water. If the filter was soaked, water had already been sucked into the engine. Starting it then would 100% cause hydrolock! We off-roaders always carry emergency tools - pulling ignition coils to crank the engine and drain water with the starter motor. But rookies should never attempt this. Once saw someone using a towel to absorb water, only for fabric shreds to get sucked into cylinders - even worse. Leave professional jobs to repair shops.