How to Handle a Flooded Car to Make It Start?

[IanLynn]

Do not forcibly start the engine after the car has been flooded with water. Push the motorcycle to the nearest repair shop. The mechanic will open the engine, use an air hose to blow out the water inside the engine, and then reassemble it.

[Hubert]

If you find your car submerged in water, don't even think about starting it! In my years as a mechanic, I've seen too many impatient people who tried to start the engine right away, only to have it completely destroyed—repair costs will make your heart ache. The first step is to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent short circuits and fires. The second step is to immediately report it to your insurance company and take clear photos of the waterline as evidence. If the water only reaches halfway up the tires, just wait for the tow truck to take it to a professional repair shop. The mechanics will remove the seats and carpets to dry them out and check the wiring and computer boards. If the water has risen above the dashboard, then you're really in big trouble—there's an 80% chance the engine has ingested water and will need a complete disassembly and cleaning. Remember, a water-damaged car is like a person who hasn't fully recovered from a cold: forcing it to run will definitely lead to trouble. Never skimp on the towing fee.

[EmilyLee]

My car was flooded during a heavy rainstorm last year, and I learned a painful lesson: never insert the key after the water recedes! In my haste, I turned the ignition key, and the dashboard flickered twice before going completely black. Later, the repair technician explained that water entering the cylinders can bend the pistons, costing me an extra 20,000 yuan in repairs. The correct procedure is to contact your insurance company to arrange for a tow truck. Before that, use your phone to record a video around the car, focusing on the waterline marks and license plate. At the repair shop, insist on dismantling and drying all the wiring harnesses, especially the connectors under the ABS pump, which are prone to water retention and corrosion. It’s best to personally supervise the drying process—one shop reassembled the car before it was fully dry, resulting in my AC control board burning out two weeks later.

[AnnaMarie]

Want to revive a waterlogged engine? It depends on the flooding level. If water just reached the exhaust pipe, there's hope - pull the spark plugs, use a vacuum pump to extract water, and change the oil three times. But if water entered through the intake, connecting rods will definitely bend, requiring full engine disassembly. Electrical systems are trickier - my shop keeps a drying oven ready, as submerged ECUs need 8+ hours of baking and three washes with anhydrous ethanol. Pro tip: Even after repair, avoid highway driving for two weeks. Last week, a customer ignored this advice - their transmission control module short-circuited from residual moisture, causing terrifying power loss at speed.