How Long Can an Engine Run After Water Ingestion?
2 Answers
It is best not to drive after the engine has ingested water, as a secondary start can easily cause damage to internal engine components such as piston rods and valves. If the vehicle stalls during water wading, do not attempt to restart it. There are three possible scenarios when an engine is affected by water ingestion: Minor Damage: The vehicle can still be driven, but with water entering the air filter, the engine may draw in some water into the intake tract, forming water vapor. This vapor mixes with gasoline and burns completely, having minimal impact on the engine. Increased Noise: If a small amount of water enters the engine and mixes with the engine oil, the oil quality deteriorates. Oil containing water increases wear on engine components, leading to louder engine noise and greater vibration during future driving. Severe Damage: If the engine starts but stalls again after a few seconds, and subsequent attempts to restart fail, this is the most serious scenario. Since water cannot be compressed, its entry into the cylinders while the engine is running at high speed prevents compression during the power stroke, directly causing bent valves and connecting rods, seized pistons, severe cylinder wear, and bent crankshafts. It is recommended to replace the engine oil as soon as possible.
To be honest, as someone who has worked with cars for a long time, I've dealt with quite a few cases of water entering the engine. Once water gets into the engine, the situation is serious—you can hardly drive for long. If you force it, you might only manage a few dozen meters before the engine completely stalls. During operation, the engine cylinders need to compress air, but water is incompressible. This can cause the pistons to hit the connecting rods, bending them or cracking the cylinder head, leading to instant major damage. My advice is to turn off the engine immediately, don't attempt to restart it, and call for a tow truck right away. Continuing to drive will only skyrocket repair costs, potentially increasing from a few thousand to tens of thousands, especially if water damages internal components, requiring disassembly, repairs, or replacements. Water ingress often happens when driving through water, where it rushes into the intake. So, when driving in the rain, slow down and avoid splashing through puddles. Regularly check the air filter and seals as a preventive measure. Remember, this kind of failure is preventable: observe water depth, stop immediately if in danger, and don't gamble with luck.
