How to Deal with Water in the Exhaust Pipe?
3 Answers
If you encounter water in the exhaust pipe and the engine stalls, do not attempt to force a restart. Instead, call for roadside assistance immediately. After a simple cleaning and drying process, the engine will resume normal operation. Insurance claims are usually straightforward in such cases. Drive fast on sand, but slow through water. When driving at high speed, the waves created by the tires can easily enter the exhaust pipe, causing the vehicle to stall. If water enters the exhaust pipe, remove the accumulated water as soon as possible to prevent impurities in the water from clogging the catalytic converter or damaging the oxygen sensor.
Oh no, when I found water in the exhaust pipe, my first reaction was not to start the car. Because if you rashly start the engine after water ingress, water may flow back through the exhaust pipe into the engine cylinders. During the compression stroke, water cannot be compressed, leading to 'hydrolock' which can damage the piston rods—this is a major repair-level failure. So I immediately turned off the engine, called a friend to help push the car to a dry area or arrange for a tow truck service to avoid secondary water exposure. At the repair shop, they used a professional air pump to drain the water and checked the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe joints to ensure there was no rust or blockage. When driving through water, always control your speed and ensure the water level does not exceed the height of the exhaust pipe, otherwise it can easily create hidden hazards.
To deal with water in the exhaust pipe, I usually first check the extent of water ingress: If it's just shallow water splashed in, find a slope to park the car with the front facing downward for drainage, then manually shake the exhaust pipe to help the water flow out. If that doesn't work, it must be towed to a professional shop, as they have tools to suck out the moisture and test whether the exhaust system is leaking. I once saw a friend start the car after water ingress, which resulted in engine destruction and a loss of several thousand dollars, so don't take the risk. Also, pay attention to the muffler and oxygen sensor, as these components are prone to corrosion and damage after being soaked. The best strategy is to avoid deep water areas during daily driving.
