Does slight water ingress affect the engine?
2 Answers
Engine slight water ingress does affect the engine. Here are the specific reasons why a small amount of water entering the engine can cause damage: 1. Engine connecting rod bending or fracture: After the vehicle wades through water, water enters the cylinder through the intake manifold. Due to the incompressibility of water, the piston stroke will become shorter, leading to bending or fracture of the engine connecting rod. In extreme cases, the broken connecting rod may fly out and penetrate the cylinder block. 2. Engine stalling: Water entering the distributor cap disrupts the normal ignition function of the distributor. If the engine's air filter element gets soaked, it increases intake resistance and allows water to enter the combustion chamber, preventing the spark plug from igniting. Attempting to restart the engine under these conditions can easily result in engine seizure.
I have personal experience with this issue. After driving through a waterlogged section, I immediately sensed something was off. Although only a small amount of water entered, upon starting the engine later, I heard strange creaking noises. The mechanic diagnosed it as water vapor mixing into the engine oil, directly impairing lubrication. The piston rings and cylinder walls suffered severe friction, producing metal shavings within just three days. The most troublesome part was water vapor entering the crankcase, necessitating a complete flush of the entire lubrication system, costing several thousand. Even minimal water ingress accelerates carbon buildup, leading to noticeably increased fuel consumption over time. Had I ignored it and continued driving, connecting rods could have deformed. So, I advise everyone to check the oil dipstick after crossing waterlogged areas—a milky white color indicates water contamination.
