What are the symptoms of water in the air filter?
2 Answers
The engine may experience poor acceleration, dullness, and insufficient fuel supply. More information about the air filter is as follows: 1. Waterproof performance of the air filter: The air contains a large amount of moisture, especially on rainy days when the moisture content is even higher. If the air filter's waterproof performance is poor, it can easily become damp. Once damp, the air filter can obstruct the smooth intake of air into the engine, potentially leading to blockages. 2. Filtration accuracy of the air filter: If the filtration accuracy is not high enough, even small dust particles and impurities can be sucked into the compressor in large quantities, affecting the service life of components such as the oil separator, engine oil, oil filter, and bearings. 3. Air permeability of the air filter: If the air filter's permeability is poor, it can also obstruct the smooth intake of air into the compressor, making it prone to blockages and consuming more energy.
That day my friend asked me about the symptoms of a wet air filter, and I said it's quite common: the car struggles to start, taking forever to fire up, with the engine chugging like an old ox pulling a cart. When driving, acceleration feels sluggish, pressing the gas pedal seems to have no effect, and there's a significant loss of power. In severe cases, it might even stall, which is pretty dangerous if it happens in the middle of the road. This mostly occurs during the rainy season or after driving through puddles, where water splashes into the air filter box, blocking airflow and preventing oxygen from reaching the engine, which naturally can't burn fuel properly. If ignored, water can enter the cylinders and cause hydrolock, leading to engine damage that's expensive to repair. It's best to stop the car immediately, turn off the engine, and check the air filter box for any signs of water. If it's wet, clean it thoroughly or replace it—don't force it to run to avoid bigger trouble. Usually, try to avoid driving through deep water, and during maintenance, pay attention to the air filter's seal to reduce the chances of this happening.
