What are the impacts after repairing a water-damaged engine?
2 Answers
The impact of repairing a water-damaged engine is that the engine requires major overhaul. When the cylinders are filled with a large amount of water, the engine crankshaft cannot rotate at all. Since water is incompressible, the pistons have almost no room to move upward. At this point, even if the ignition switch is turned on, the starter motor will not be able to rotate. Below are the relevant introductions to car maintenance: 1. Exterior inspection: Before driving, check the doors, engine hood, trunk, and glass conditions. Inspect for any body damage, body tilting, oil or water leakage, etc. 2. Engine and various fluids: Check the fixation status of engine components and inspect for any oil or water leakage at engine joints. Adjust and tighten belts, and check the fixation of pipelines and wiring. Top up engine oil, coolant, and electrolyte as needed. 3. Tires: Inspect tire wear and clean the trunk. Replace tires when they approach the wear indicators. Check for bulges, abnormal wear, aging cracks, or hard damage on tires. 4. Cleaning and lubrication: Clean oil stains from the engine compartment cover, door hinges, and trunk hinge mechanisms, then lubricate them. The general service life of antifreeze is 2 years; it should be replaced during maintenance, and the cooling system should be thoroughly cleaned. Due to the hygroscopic nature of the braking system, brake fluid should be replaced every two years.
I just helped a friend deal with a similar situation last week. After repairing a water-damaged engine, the most annoying part is that the car never feels as powerful as before, and fuel consumption has noticeably increased. The repair shop explained that pistons and connecting rods inevitably deform to some extent, and even with the best repairs, the sealing can't match the factory condition. Additionally, the electrical system becomes particularly finicky—places like engine wiring harness connectors are prone to rust and poor contact, potentially causing sudden shaking when you least expect it, like at a red light. The worst part was discovering oil seepage from the crankcase three months post-repair, and upon disassembly, we found the engine block had warped. My sincere advice is to get the cylinder pressure tested monthly for the first six months after repairs—address any issues immediately if detected.
