Does a Car Have Significant Impact After Being Repaired from Stalling in Water?
4 Answers
Whether a car has significant impact after being repaired from stalling in water mainly depends on the damage to the engine after water ingress. Here are the relevant details: 1. Impact: If water did not enter the engine cylinders, simply replacing and repairing the water-damaged components will suffice, with no lasting impact. 2. Precautions: If the engine is started again after being submerged in water, it can lead to water entering the engine combustion chamber, potentially causing the engine connecting rod to bend. During repairs, the extent of water ingress should be assessed to determine whether components like the engine connecting rod need replacement. If water has already entered the combustion chamber or the engine connecting rod shows slight deformation, replacement is essential. Failure to replace these parts may result in the deformed connecting rod breaking later, leading to damage to the engine block and other components.
I've encountered several vehicles that stalled due to water immersion before. The extent of post-repair impact mainly depends on the water depth at the time and whether timely measures were taken. If the engine stalled with only slight water ingress, towing it to a professional repair shop for fuel system cleaning and spark plug replacement usually resolves the issue without major consequences. However, if water reached above half of the wheel height, things get risky – engine cylinder blocks and connecting rods may deform, resulting in compromised power output after repair. Additionally, wire corrosion is a hidden killer; thorough inspection of all wiring harness connectors is crucial, otherwise components like power windows might mysteriously malfunction within two or three months. My suggestion is to change the engine oil frequently during the first six months post-repair, and listen carefully for abnormal vibrations during cold starts every week. After all, a water-damaged car is like a person recovering from serious illness – it requires more meticulous maintenance.
The most frustrating aspect of repairing a flood-damaged vehicle is the subsequent hidden risks. Even after a major engine overhaul, premature aging is likely, with doubled wear on crankshaft bearing shells. You might need to prepare for a new engine replacement within two or three years post-repair. The rusting speed of chassis components also accelerates, especially for exhaust pipes and suspension bolts. It's best to immediately wash the undercarriage after driving through waterlogged roads on rainy days. Used car dealers dread such vehicles – even if restored to perfection, the flood damage record alone can slash the value by at least 30%. My old Passat was once waterlogged. After repairs, I specifically installed an engine skid plate to prevent water splashing from below and developed a habit of checking the air filter box by lifting the hood after every rainy-day drive, as past lessons remain vivid.
It depends on the extent of water damage. If the water only reached the carpet area, you can just remove the seats, dry them out, and replace the cabin air filter. If water entered the intake manifold, you'll at least need to disassemble the engine to clean carbon deposits and replace piston rings. The worst scenario is water mixing with the engine oil - at best, it causes bearing wear and increased noise; at worst, it leads to cylinder scoring or even engine seizure. All the mechanics I know recommend shortening the maintenance intervals for flood-damaged vehicles after repair. For example, while regular cars change oil every 8,000 km, flood-damaged ones should do it at 5,000 km. As a reminder, don't rush to drive such repaired cars on highways immediately - it's better to commute in the city for about a month first to break them in.
