What causes engine shaking after water exposure without stalling?
3 Answers
Engine shaking after water exposure without stalling can be caused by: 1. Engine temperature too low: Rapid cooling after water immersion causes the engine to temporarily operate in a cold state similar to winter startup conditions, resulting in poor performance. Allow the engine to warm up. 2. Water ingress in engine: Contaminated lubricating oil due to water entry. Requires oil change. 3. Exhaust system malfunction: Water exposure may damage certain sensors in the exhaust system, causing ECU malfunction. Check ECU signals. 4. Intake system issue: If the air filter intake is positioned low, minor water ingress may occur, leading to poor engine air intake. Inspect air filter element. 5. Drivetrain problem: Water entering the transmission system primarily due to poor sealing. Requires transmission fluid replacement.
I encountered the same situation last time when driving through a puddle. The engine didn't stall but was shaking violently, and I initially thought the undercarriage was damaged. Later, the mechanic told me it might be because a small amount of water got sucked into the cylinders. It's like when a hose nozzle gets airlocked during car washing—if one cylinder ingests water, it won't operate smoothly. You should immediately check if there's water accumulation on the spark plugs or if the air filter is wet. Also, after going through water, check the engine oil level—if it appears cloudy, change it right away. This issue can range from minor to serious, so I suggest not delaying the fix for too long.
Last week, I encountered the same situation while driving in the rain. When a vehicle drives through water, if the air intake is positioned low, water can be sucked into the engine. Even a small amount of water in the cylinders can affect the compression ratio, causing one cylinder to malfunction. At this point, the exhaust pipe will emit white smoke in bursts, and the steering wheel will noticeably shake. Remember not to repeatedly press the accelerator, as this can easily cause the connecting rods to deform. It's best to call a tow truck to take the vehicle to a shop for inspection, remove the spark plugs to dry them, and measure whether the cylinder pressure is balanced. Afterward, a comprehensive check of the chassis wiring and the location of the ECU is also necessary.
