Precautions After Engine Water Intake?
2 Answers
After the engine takes in water, the following precautions should be taken: Do not attempt to restart the engine: If the car stalls in water due to engine water intake, do not immediately restart the engine. Instead, the car should be towed to a safe area. If water enters the cylinder block and you try to restart the engine, water, unlike oil, can cause deformation or even breakage of critical engine components. If engine water intake is confirmed, the car should be towed to a repair shop. Disconnect the car's power supply first: After the engine takes in water, always disconnect the car's power supply first, as muddy rainwater or river water can conduct electricity, and water exposure may cause short circuits in the car's electrical equipment. Clean the three filters: If the engine only has water vapor mixed in from the air filter, simply clean the water vapor from the air filter, throttle valve, and cylinder. If the engine takes in a significant amount of water but still runs normally, albeit noisily, it may indicate small amounts of water in the oil or fuel. In this case, the oil should be replaced, and related engine components should be cleaned.
I was really scared when I encountered an engine water ingress incident while driving. The first thing to do is to immediately turn off the engine and stop the car. Never try to restart the engine to save trouble, as water sucked into the cylinders can damage the piston rods, potentially causing the entire engine to be scrapped. After getting out of the car, check if the water level exceeds the air intake. If it hasn't, don't move the car and quickly call for professional towing services to take it to a repair shop. At the shop, the mechanic will carefully inspect whether there is water in the oil pan, if the air filter is soaked, and may even need to disassemble the engine to assess the extent of the damage. The outcome often requires a major overhaul or even a complete engine replacement, with costs easily running into tens of thousands. That's why I'm always extra careful about prevention—checking the weather forecast before driving in the rain, avoiding deep waterlogged roads, and keeping the engine bay clean can save a lot of trouble. If water does get in, act quickly and prioritize safety—don't hesitate on repair costs, as life is more important.
