Is Water in the Spark Plug Considered a Major Overhaul?
2 Answers
It has serious consequences. After water ingress, it is strictly prohibited to start the vehicle. If the vehicle is started and this leads to a broken connecting rod, a major overhaul will be required. The spark plug mainly consists of a terminal nut, insulator, terminal stud, center electrode, side electrode, and shell. The main types of spark plugs include: standard spark plugs, projected insulator spark plugs, electrode spark plugs, seat spark plugs, pole spark plugs, and surface gap spark plugs. Under normal maintenance conditions, replacement is recommended after driving 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. However, this may vary depending on the brand and engine, so it is advisable to follow the user manual. The following standards can be referenced for maintenance replacement: Platinum spark plugs should be replaced at 40,000 kilometers, ordinary nickel alloy spark plugs at 20,000 kilometers, and iridium spark plugs at 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers.
The other day I drove through a street with deep standing water, and water got into the spark plugs. I panicked, thinking the engine would need a major overhaul, so I quickly asked a friend who knows about car repairs. He explained that water in the spark plugs itself isn’t a major repair issue—most of the time, it’s just that the spark plug wells got wet. You can remove them, dry them with compressed air, or replace the spark plugs, which costs just a few hundred bucks. However, the real risk is if water seeps into the cylinders. If the engine starts and hydro-locks during compression, it could bend a piston or damage a connecting rod. That’s when you’d need to disassemble the engine for a major repair, replacing internal parts, which could cost thousands or even tens of thousands. Luckily, my situation wasn’t serious—just a quick cleanup fixed it. It’s crucial to avoid deep water while driving to prevent minor issues from turning into major disasters.
