What are the consequences of water entering the air filter?
2 Answers
Generally, there are no obvious symptoms when water enters the air filter. After driving through water, it's advisable to open the air filter box to check if the filter is wet. Below is the relevant information: 1. Water in the air filter: If the air filter gets wet, even slightly, it may cause the engine to experience poor acceleration, sluggish performance, and insufficient fuel supply. 2. Water in the cylinder: In severe cases where water enters the cylinder, the engine may easily experience "hydrolock" during operation, which can accelerate engine wear or even lead to complete failure. In summary, the issue of water entering the air filter should not be overlooked, and replacement may be necessary when required.
I remember once helping a friend inspect his old Jeep and finding the air filter box completely filled with muddy water. This situation is quite serious: when the paper filter element gets soaked, it collapses and clogs, making it hard for the engine to breathe, and you can clearly feel the car running sluggish. Even worse, the accumulated water can get sucked into the cylinders—remember, water can't be compressed, which could potentially bend the piston rods. If it happens to be cold outside, ice forming in the intake could leave the car completely immobilized. The scariest part is that water droplets might corrode the throttle position sensor, causing the ECU to misread data and spray fuel erratically. My friend ended up opening the throttle body to find green mold growing inside, and the whole cleaning process cost him nearly a thousand bucks. So after driving through water post-rain, take it easy. If water gets into the intake, don't push your luck—get it to a repair shop ASAP.
