What are the symptoms of a flooded car engine after repair?
4 Answers
If the vehicle has only been soaked and then towed to a repair shop, this generally does not cause irreversible damage to the engine. The main task is to clean the accumulated water inside the engine, but the extent of cleaning depends on the situation. More often, the intake pipe and intake manifold are removed, and compressed air is used to dry the water inside. In such cases, there are usually no significant aftereffects. Below are other scenarios of engine water ingress: A small amount of water entering the cylinder: In many cases, the owner may not even realize that the engine has taken in water, and the amount of water is minimal. If the owner chooses to continue driving at this point, the ultimate consequence could be the piston seizing in the cylinder, with the connecting rod bending or breaking due to the immense pressure. In more severe cases, the broken connecting rod might even puncture the engine block.
After purchasing a refurbished flood-damaged used car, I found the engine extremely difficult to start—it often fails to ignite. When running, it makes strange noises, as if something is rattling inside, and it tends to shudder during acceleration. Fuel consumption has also increased significantly, costing about 20% more for city driving. The most frustrating issue is the constant black smoke from the exhaust, especially during cold starts, suggesting internal corrosion or rust. Once, while driving on the highway, the engine suddenly overheated, triggering a warning light and forcing me to pull over immediately. The mechanic explained that moisture from the flood caused oxidation and rust, affecting ignition and lubrication. Now, the car frequently breaks down, and repairs are costly. I advise anyone considering a cheap flood-damaged car to think twice—prioritize buying new from reputable dealers or thoroughly inspect used vehicles. Don’t let low prices fool you into a costly mistake.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many flood-damaged car repairs, and the engine symptoms are quite obvious: sluggish starting, sometimes requiring multiple key turns to fire up; unusually loud humming noises during daily driving, and noticeably weak power when climbing hills or accelerating, clearly indicating internal bearing or piston damage. The corrosion caused by water immersion hides inside the components, leading to frequent malfunctions over time, such as stuck oil pumps or short-circuited wiring, causing the engine to stall during emergency braking. My friend's car had its engine completely fail after just six months, with repair costs exceeding the car's value. Truthfully, a flood-damaged engine might last at most a year after repair, posing significant risks like potential fires or spontaneous combustion. For those considering buying used cars, it's best to check the complete vehicle history and have professional institutions test for water residue—don't gamble with safety.
As a young guy who's dabbled in fixing flood-damaged cars, the engine symptoms are super obvious: it takes forever to start when cold, and it frequently overheats with warning lights once running. The acceleration is uneven, and the throttle feels weak and unresponsive. The noise is annoying too – you can hear squeaking sounds with the windows down, like parts are grinding. I looked it up online – this is caused by water entering the cylinders, leading to rusted ignition coils or crankshafts, plus worsened lubrication. Subsequent repairs are crazy expensive, and it affects emissions too, with foul-smelling exhaust. My advice is to prioritize non-flooded cars when buying used – spend a bit more for peace of mind. If you absolutely must deal with one, deep cleaning and thorough lubrication maintenance are a must to avoid breaking down halfway.
