Does a sedan need inspection after wading through water?
2 Answers
After a sedan wades through water, it needs inspection, focusing on whether the air filter is clogged, whether the exhaust pipe has water ingress, and whether the brake pads are stuck. Check if the air filter is clogged: After water enters the air filter, it can cause the air filter to clog, leading to insufficient engine air intake and resulting in weak acceleration. Remove the air filter and replace it with a new one. Check if the exhaust pipe has water ingress: If water submerges the exhaust pipe during wading, some water may remain inside, affecting engine exhaust flow and consequently reducing power. The engine power will return to normal once the exhaust expels the water. If it cannot expel the water on its own, it is necessary to visit a repair facility for cleaning. Check if the brake pads are stuck: After driving through water, the brake pads and brake discs may rust and become stuck, causing resistance during driving. If the situation is not severe, the rust can be removed by the high temperatures generated during driving. If the situation is severe, new brake pads and brake discs need to be replaced.
Last time my car drove through standing water, I immediately conducted a thorough inspection. Since floodwater contains abundant sediment and impurities, chassis pipelines are prone to clogging or corrosion. I particularly checked whether the exhaust pipe had taken in water and examined the air filter box for water traces. If brake discs were submerged, braking performance might be compromised, and I also needed to verify whether the headlight circuits had shorted. The most critical area was the engine compartment—I used tissue paper to test for oil emulsification (oil-water mixture would spell serious trouble). Problems in these areas don't manifest immediately, and delayed treatment could multiply repair costs several times over. Never skip this hassle—a comprehensive check is far more economical than major overhauls.
