What phenomena will occur if a wet air filter continues to be used?

[DiJordan]

Continuing to use a wet air filter can result in the engine failing to start. The engine may experience poor acceleration, sluggishness, and insufficient fuel supply. If the moisture from the wet air filter enters the cylinders severely, it can lead to engine seizure, causing engine damage and ultimately ruining the engine. Detailed introduction to car air filters: An air filter is a type of filter, also known as an air filter cartridge, air cleaner, or air element. It is primarily used for air filtration in engineering vehicles, automobiles, agricultural vehicles, laboratories, sterile operating rooms, and various precision operating rooms. Impact of an unfiltered car air filter: When the engine is running, it needs to draw in a large amount of air. If the air is not filtered, the dust suspended in the air can be sucked into the cylinders, accelerating the wear of the piston group and cylinders. Larger particles entering between the piston and cylinder can cause severe cylinder scoring, which is particularly serious in dry and sandy working environments. Function of the air filter: The air filter is installed in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles from the air, ensuring that sufficient and clean air enters the cylinders.

[MacLevi]

I've been driving for almost 30 years. If the air filter gets wet and you keep using it, the car will become particularly sluggish, with delayed response when starting, weak acceleration when stepping on the gas, and slight engine shaking at high speeds, as if being held back. This is mainly because the wet filter fibers swell up, blocking the air passages, preventing the engine from sucking in enough air, leading to incomplete combustion. The gasoline burns half-cooked, accumulating a bunch of residues. In the long run, this not only wastes fuel—fuel consumption can jump by about ten percent—but also easily causes carbon buildup or rust in the cylinders, shortening the engine's lifespan. I've seen many car owners try to save money, only to end up spending thousands on engine repairs. So, if you find the filter is wet, take it out immediately to dry in the shade or replace it with a new one—don't delay.

[LeLincoln]

Last month, water got into my car and soaked the air filter. I continued driving for a whole day, and the air inside the car started to smell moldy. When I turned on the AC, the airflow was pitifully weak, and the air coming out was damp and stuffy, making it hard to breathe. The engine was even worse—it stalled several times on the road, and there was a one- or two-second delay when I pressed the accelerator, as if it was struggling to breathe. After researching, I learned that a wet filter can easily breed bacteria and mold, not only affecting health but also clogging the intake system, increasing engine load, and accelerating wear. It’s recommended to check the filter box frequently during the rainy season—don’t wait until problems arise to fix them, wasting both time and money.

[McMakayla]

Using a wet air filter will first restrict engine air intake, reducing air volume and lowering combustion efficiency, resulting in noticeably weaker power output and strong jerking sensations during acceleration. If the filter is severely waterlogged, moisture entering the cylinders can dilute the air-fuel mixture, causing insufficient spark plug ignition and potentially leading to engine knocking. Over time, the oxygen sensor may falsely trigger fault codes, illuminating the yellow warning light on the dashboard. Remember to address this promptly to save significant repair costs.