What happens if you start the car again after it stalls in water?
2 Answers
Starting the car again after it stalls in water may lead to increased engine noise and wear on the cylinder block. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. It is best not to restart the engine after the vehicle has been submerged in water. If water enters the engine, even in small amounts, it will mix with the engine oil, degrading the oil quality. Oil containing water will increase wear on engine components during use. Over time, the engine noise and vibrations will become more noticeable while driving. 2. Forcibly starting the engine after water ingress can cause the connecting rod to bend, as well as issues like piston seizure and cylinder block wear. Handling a stalled car in water: 1. Stay calm, turn off the ignition, and do not attempt to restart the car. 2. Call your insurance company to file a claim. 3. Contact a towing service for rescue. Once the car is towed to a repair shop, inform the insurance company of the specific address. 4. While waiting for rescue, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent short circuits in the vehicle's electronic devices due to water ingress. 5. Wait for the insurance company to assess the damage before proceeding with repairs.
Last time my friend's car had the same issue. It stalled while wading through water, and in a panic, he tried to start it again, which immediately ruined the engine. Specifically, water got sucked into the intake and stayed in the engine. When he tried to start it, the piston moved upward to compress, but since water can't be compressed, it bent the connecting rod and could even damage the cylinder and crankshaft. Repairing this is expensive—the entire engine has to be disassembled, and parts replacement can cost thousands to tens of thousands. The worst part is, insurance might not cover it because it's considered operator error. My advice: if your car stalls in water, never attempt to restart it. Turn off the power immediately and wait for a tow to inspect it. When wading, always check the water depth—go slow in shallow water and avoid deep areas altogether. Bottom line: this mistake isn’t worth making. Safety first.
