Can Washing a Car Cause Water to Enter the Engine?
2 Answers
Washing a car will not cause water to enter the engine. During car washing or rain, the engine hood acts like an umbrella for the air intake. As long as water is not sprayed upward from below, it will not enter the area covered by the engine hood; instead, it will flow down from both sides and the rear of the hood. Water entering the engine can cause the following issues: 1. Engine stalling: After water enters the engine, the spark plugs cannot ignite, causing the car to stall while driving. 2. Failure to start after stalling: If water enters the distributor cap, it disrupts the normal ignition function, making the engine unable to start. 3. Engine damage or hydrolock: Due to the incompressibility of water, it can cause the connecting rods to bend or break, potentially piercing the engine block.
I've been driving for over a decade and washed my car hundreds of times, but I've never seen an engine get flooded. Normal car washes spray water on the body, not directly into the engine compartment. However, if you let the car washer blast high-pressure water directly at the wiring and sensors inside the engine, water might seep in through the seals. I know a friend who did just that, and the ignition coils got wet, making the car unable to start. So, it's best to remind them to use low-pressure water from a distance when washing, and for engine compartment cleaning, it's safer to use specialized cleaning agents. Some cars now have better-sealed engine compartments, but you still can't be too careful—repairing water damage can be quite costly.