What Are the Symptoms of Water Entering a Car's Exhaust Pipe?
2 Answers
There are no obvious symptoms when water enters a car's exhaust pipe, as the accumulated water inside will be expelled due to the engine's operation. When driving through water, as long as the engine does not stall, water will not enter the exhaust pipe. However, it is not advisable to drive through water recklessly, as doing so is very dangerous. If the engine stalls due to water ingress, do not attempt to restart it, as this can cause severe damage to the engine. A car's engine can compress air because the molecular gaps in air are relatively large, making it compressible. However, if there is water in the cylinders, the engine will compress the water when started.
I've been driving for 30 years and have encountered the problem of water entering the exhaust pipe several times, especially after heavy summer rains or when driving through deep water. When starting the car, it makes a gurgling sound, as if water is sloshing around in the pipe; thick white smoke or steam, much more than usual, comes out of the exhaust, with a slightly odd smell; then the car lacks power when accelerating, the throttle feels sluggish, and climbing hills becomes difficult; in severe cases, the engine may shake or even stall suddenly, especially noticeable at low RPMs. Over time, this can corrode the inside of the exhaust pipe, increasing repair costs. I suggest not rushing to drive after rain and checking the exhaust pipe for water accumulation first—safety comes first. Daily driving should avoid waterlogged areas whenever possible; prevention is much simpler than repair.
