Can Engine Oil Still Be Used If It Gets Mixed with Water?
2 Answers
Engine oil cannot be used if it gets mixed with water. When engine oil contains excessive water, its performance will deteriorate. Under certain conditions, excessive water can reduce or even nullify the effectiveness of certain additives in the oil, disrupt its viscosity, and prevent the oil from forming a proper lubricating film on moving friction pairs. This can lead to mechanical damage or even failure. Normally, water-free engine oil appears semi-transparent with a bright color. However, when the oil contains a significant amount of water, it will emulsify, turning milky white and developing foam. In such cases, to prevent engine damage, it is necessary to clean the engine and replace the oil.
That time I went off-roading in the mountains and accidentally drove my car into shallow water, definitely getting some water mixed in the engine oil. Being careless, I continued using it for a few days until the engine started making strange noises and had poor acceleration. When I rushed to the repair shop, they found the oil had turned milky white due to emulsification. The mechanic explained this is called oil emulsification - the water content destroys the oil's lubricating properties. Long-term use would increase wear on bearings, cylinders and other components, with severe cases potentially causing catastrophic engine failure costing tens of thousands to repair. Since then I've learned my lesson - I now regularly check the oil color. If it appears whitish or foamy, I immediately change both the oil and filter. Never try to save a few hundred bucks only to create major trouble later. Safe driving is the bottom line, and timely maintenance saves both peace of mind and money.
