Under What Circumstances Can Water Enter the Engine?
2 Answers
Engine water ingress is generally divided into three scenarios, analyzed in detail as follows: 1. Engine flooding, which does not harm critical components. 2. Minor water ingress into the engine, which still allows for normal engine startup. 3. Significant water ingress into the engine cylinders, preventing normal engine startup. Additional information: 1. Normal engine oil colors include light yellow, brown, and transparent colorless, but it is usually not milky white. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check for the presence of a milky white oil-water mixture. If found, it may indicate water ingress into the engine. 2. If there is water in the engine fuel or combustion chamber, the water is heated by the combustion heat in the cylinders, turning into steam that exits through the exhaust pipe, forming white smoke. If white smoke appears after the vehicle has driven through water, it is highly likely due to water ingress into the engine.
When I was learning to drive at the driving school, the instructor told me that the most common cause of engine water ingress is driving through deep water, such as during heavy rain when water submerges the exhaust pipe or air intake, allowing water to be directly sucked into the engine. Once this happens, it can lock up the cylinders and, in severe cases, require an engine replacement. I once saw a neighbor's car in the community parking lot with water ingress due to a deteriorated seal, which allowed rainwater to seep in and contaminate the engine oil, costing over ten thousand yuan in repairs. It's best to avoid deep puddles regularly, check the sealing components periodically, and replace a new gasket for just a few dozen yuan. Driving slowly during heavy rain significantly reduces the risk of water ingress.
