Can the Engine Be Started Again After Water Ingestion?

[LeahAnn]

Engine water ingestion prohibits restart attempts, as secondary ignition may lead to the following scenarios: 1. The engine may initially start post-water exposure, but with water entering the air filter. The engine inhales moisture-laden air, forming steam. When water vapor mixes with gasoline for complete combustion, the impact on the engine remains minimal; 2. Minor water ingress reaching the cylinders contaminates engine oil, degrading its quality. Water-contaminated oil accelerates engine component wear, manifesting as increased noise and vibration during operation; 3. The most severe scenario occurs when the engine stalls seconds after starting and becomes inoperable despite multiple attempts. Since water is incompressible, its presence in cylinders during high-speed operation can bend valves/connecting rods, seize pistons, severely score cylinder walls, and warp crankshafts.