What happens if water enters the car's air intake? Does it affect the engine?

[NoahFitz]

Water entering the engine's air intake can indeed affect the engine. Detailed explanation as follows: When the damage is minor: The lifespan of the repaired engine depends on the extent of the damage. If the engine only took in water without any other damage, you simply need to remove the spark plugs to drain the water, then replace the engine oil and coolant. In this case, there is no impact on the engine itself, and its lifespan remains the same as a normal car. When the damage is severe: If water enters the engine cylinders along with the air intake, the situation becomes complicated. Water in the cylinders can cause the connecting rods to bend or even break, potentially damaging the engine block. In such cases, it's difficult to assess the damage without disassembling the engine to replace the connecting rods or even the engine block. After such repairs, whether the engine can function properly is uncertain, as it depends on the quality of both the repairs and the replacement parts. If the engine is damaged by water and requires disassembly, proper repairs can restore it to normal operation. However, if the parts are of poor quality or the repair work is substandard, the engine may develop problems during future use.