Does a Four-Cylinder Engine Need Cylinder Replacement if One Cylinder Gets Water Ingress?
2 Answers
It depends on the extent of engine damage. From a repair perspective, the engine needs to be disassembled for inspection. If water enters the engine block, severe cases may cause damage to the engine block, in which case the middle cylinder needs to be replaced. Introduction to Cylinders: The cylindrical chamber inside the engine, where a piston is driven by the pressure or expansion force of the working fluid, or similar but non-cylindrical parts in certain special types of engines. Types of Cylinders: In pneumatic transmission, cylinders are pneumatic actuators that convert the pressure energy of compressed gas into mechanical energy. Cylinders can be divided into two categories: those performing reciprocating linear motion and those performing reciprocating swinging motion. Reciprocating linear motion cylinders can further be classified into four types: single-acting, double-acting, diaphragm-type, and impact cylinders.
If one cylinder of my four-cylinder car gets flooded with water, I would first stop the engine to prevent further damage. Water entering the cylinder is usually due to a damaged cylinder head gasket or seal, allowing coolant to leak in, which can lead to internal engine corrosion, bent connecting rods, or even seizing. Replacing the entire cylinder isn't always necessary—in many cases, just replacing the cylinder head gasket can fix the issue, unless the cylinder block has cracks or severe deformation. I've seen many similar failures, and timely diagnosis is key—first check the spark plugs for water stains, then use compressed air to test cylinder compression. If it can't be repaired, consider replacing the engine, but regular cooling system maintenance is crucial to prevent overheating and avoid such issues.
