How to Deal with Water in the Spark Plug Chamber?
2 Answers
Water in the spark plug holes should be addressed by replacing the spark plugs. After a vehicle drives through water, water can enter the cylinders through the intake manifold. Due to the incompressibility of water, the piston's stroke will shorten, potentially causing the engine connecting rods to bend or break. In extreme cases, a broken connecting rod could be ejected and puncture the engine block. What is a Spark Plug? A spark plug is a crucial component of a gasoline engine's ignition system. It introduces high-voltage electricity into the combustion chamber, creating a spark across the electrode gap to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. How to Replace Spark Plugs Steps for replacing spark plugs: Open the hood, remove the engine's plastic cover, and detach the high-voltage ignition wires. Mark each wire according to its corresponding cylinder to avoid confusion. Use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs one by one. While removing them, check for any debris like leaves or dust around the area and ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. Place the new spark plug into the spark plug hole, hand-tighten it a few turns, and then use the socket to tighten it further. Reinstall the high-voltage ignition wires in the correct firing order, then reattach the cover.
I remember one time my car got drenched in a heavy rainstorm, and water got into the spark plug wells, causing the car to refuse to start. It ended up wasting half of my day. An experienced driver once told me: Don’t panic, and definitely don’t try to start the engine—otherwise, water could enter the cylinders and damage the engine. Just pop open the hood, disconnect the spark plug wires, and use a 12mm wrench to remove the spark plugs. Then, use a dry cloth or absorbent paper to soak up the water in the wells, and either set up a fan to dry it out or let it air-dry naturally for a full day. Only reinstall everything once you’re sure there’s no moisture left. Before putting the spark plugs back, check if they’re still in good condition and whether the sealing rings have aged—this could be the source of the water seepage. This incident reminded me not to cut corners when washing the car by blasting the engine with high-pressure water, and to always park on higher ground during rainy days. Also, inspect the sealing rings every six months and replace them if needed. DIY fixes might save a few hundred bucks, but if you’re unsure, it’s always safer to call a professional—safety first, don’t risk big losses for small gains.