Can the Engine Still Start After Water Intake?
4 Answers
If the engine has taken in water, do not attempt to restart it. Below are the consequences of restarting: 1. Never attempt to restart the engine after water intake. If you do, even with flood insurance and comprehensive coverage, the insurance company will not compensate for the damages. 2. An engine operates by igniting compressed gas, but water is nearly incompressible. Forcibly restarting can lead to severe consequences, such as bent or even broken connecting rods, necessitating a major engine overhaul. 3. If your car has been submerged in water and the engine has taken in water, the safest approach is to have it inspected by a 4S shop or a reliable repair shop to eliminate potential hazards. Avoid attempting any blind operations yourself.
Once my engine stalled after driving through water, and foolishly I turned the key to restart it, only to hear a click before it completely died. The mechanic said it was a typical hydro-lock incident, with bent connecting rods. Upon disassembly, they found the cylinders full of water—since water can't be compressed, forcing ignition caused the pistons to hit the cylinder block. The major repair cost me over 20,000 yuan. Remember: if water rises above the midpoint of your tires, don't risk it. If stalled, never attempt to restart. It's wise to keep an electric water pump in the car; draining water immediately can minimize damage.
The most dreaded scenario with water entering the engine is secondary ignition. Last time I encountered a stall after driving through heavy rain and deep water, I immediately called the 4S store for rescue. The mechanic said that if I restarted the engine in water, the insurance wouldn't cover it, as water would backflow through the intake, making the pistons immobile. Now, after parking, I habitually check the exhaust pipe height, remembering that the engine's intake position isn't much higher than the wheel level. If the engine stalls in water, shift directly to neutral and tow it; prolonged immersion can also damage electronic components.
Our old car was completely totaled after being submerged in water because an elderly family member didn't know better and restarted the engine. The repair shop found the connecting rods twisted and deformed, with cylinder walls badly scored. Water entering the combustion chamber acts like a hammer striking the pistons, causing immense instantaneous damage. Now we've taught our family to maintain low gear and steady speed when wading through water, and to remove the key to cut power if the engine stalls. During rainy seasons, it's essential to check if the intake hose is aged or cracked, as a split in that rubber tube can directly suck water into the engine.
