How Long Can You Drive with Water in the Engine?
1 Answers
It is best not to drive after the engine has taken in water, as a secondary start can easily damage internal components of the engine, such as piston rods and valves. If the vehicle stalls during wading, do not attempt to restart it. Restarting the engine under such conditions can lead to three possible outcomes: 1. Minor Damage: The vehicle may still be drivable, 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, causing minimal impact on the engine. 2. Increased Noise: A small amount of water enters the engine and mixes with the oil, degrading the oil quality. Oil contaminated with water increases wear on engine components, leading to louder engine noise and greater vibration during future driving. 3. Severe Damage: The engine may start and run for a few seconds before stalling again, and subsequent attempts to start it fail. This is the most serious scenario. Since water cannot be compressed, its presence in the cylinders while the engine is running at high speed prevents proper compression during the power stroke. This can directly result in bent valves and connecting rods, seized pistons, severe cylinder wear, and a bent crankshaft. It is recommended to change the oil as soon as possible.
