Is It Serious If Water Enters the Car Exhaust Pipe?
2 Answers
Water entering the car exhaust pipe is indeed serious. Below are the impacts of water entering the exhaust pipe: 1. In severe cases: Water in the exhaust pipe can lead to the serious consequence of water entering the engine. If only the exhaust pipe has water, it is essential to remove the accumulated water as soon as possible to prevent impurities in the water from clogging the three-way catalytic converter or damaging the oxygen sensor. To drain the water, simply press the accelerator to increase the exhaust pressure and expel the water. 2. Causing blockage: Water in the exhaust pipe may lead to exhaust blockage. Poor exhaust flow can cause the engine to stall, but in this case, water may not necessarily enter the engine—it's just what is commonly referred to as "choking out." This situation does not require concern; once the water drains out, the engine can be restarted normally.
Having repaired cars for so many years, I often see car owners worrying about water getting into the exhaust pipe. In fact, there's no need to panic if a small amount of water enters—whether from a high-pressure car wash spray or splashing in during rain, it will mostly evaporate due to the high temperature of the exhaust. However, stalling in deep water is the most dangerous scenario. Water blocking the exhaust pipe affects exhaust flow, and forcing a restart could cause water to backflow into the cylinders, damaging pistons and connecting rods, leading to repair costs of over ten thousand yuan. My advice is to navigate through waterlogged areas in low gear at a slow speed, ensuring the exhaust pipe isn't submerged for too long. If the car stalls after crossing water, immediately shift to neutral and call for a tow truck—don't touch the ignition key. Regularly check the exhaust pipe's drain holes every month to prevent clogging from carbon buildup.
