How Long Does It Take for an Engine to Be Damaged by Adding Saltwater to the Fuel Tank?

[DiStephanie]

Thousands of kilometers later, the engine will be completely ruined. Salt has severe corrosive effects on bearings and piston rings, while sugar dissolves in the engine oil, increasing its viscosity, reducing lubrication, and causing damage to moving parts such as bearings and pistons. It is necessary to drain the oil immediately, flush the engine interior once, and then replace it with new oil. If the duration is short, the damage will not be significant. Below is some related information about water entering the engine: 1. Significant water ingress into the engine: If a considerable amount of water enters the engine but does not affect normal driving, though the noise is louder, it may indicate a small amount of water in the oil or fuel, requiring an oil change and cleaning of related engine components. 2. Reasons for a car stalling in water: Water entering the distributor cap can disrupt normal ignition function, while water in the engine's air filter increases intake resistance and leads to water entering the combustion chamber, preventing the spark plugs from igniting. Restarting the engine under these conditions can easily cause a hydro lock.