What problems will occur if water enters the engine?

[AnthonyLynn]

The following problems may occur if water enters the engine: 1. Engine stalling: After water enters the engine, the spark plugs fail to ignite, causing the car to stall while driving. 2. Failure to restart after stalling: Water entering the distributor cap causes the distributor to lose its normal ignition function, making it impossible to restart the engine. 3. Engine damage or hydro-lock: When water enters the engine, its incompressibility may cause the connecting rods to bend or break, leading to cylinder wall damage. Additional information: Signs of water entering the engine include checking for carbon deposits on the spark plugs and cylinder walls. When water enters the engine, its incompressibility prevents the piston from reaching the original top dead center position, resulting in a shorter piston stroke and a noticeable downward shift in the top dead center position.

[Joanne]

When water enters the engine, my biggest concern is the instant destruction of the internal components. Once water gets into the cylinders, during compression, it acts like an immovable iron block—the piston simply can't push through, causing what's known as hydraulic lock. This can bend or snap the connecting rods, damage the piston and cylinder walls, and even affect the crankshaft. A single water intrusion can cause the engine to stall immediately and fail to restart. Hidden risks may follow: water corrodes metal parts, damages bearings and seals, and causes electrical components like spark plugs to short-circuit, leading to oil leaks or worse failures. Repairs are complex and costly, requiring engine disassembly for cleaning and part replacement—if the damage is severe, the engine may need to be scrapped entirely. In short, this is a critical failure point. Always avoid flooded roads while driving. If water does enter, shut off the engine immediately and have it towed—never attempt to restart it to save the engine's life.

[VanBrandon]

I experienced engine hydro-lock, which was truly a terrifying lesson. At that time, I drove through water that submerged the chassis, and the car suddenly stalled and was stranded in the water. Subsequent inspection revealed numerous water-related issues: water inside the engine blocked air and gasoline combustion, the spark plugs were completely soaked and couldn't ignite; hydraulic damage caused the connecting rod to break, and the piston was smashed with holes; water also corroded engine components, accelerating metal rust and wear. Even worse, water ingress could affect the electronic systems, causing short circuits in the air conditioning and battery wiring, sparking with extremely high fire risks. Therefore, once water enters, immediately stop and turn off the engine to avoid sucking in more water; do not attempt to restart to prevent secondary damage. In daily driving, always measure water depth and avoid risking deep puddles, as this concerns both personal and vehicle safety.

[JeffreyLee]

The most immediate issue after water enters the engine is that it will stall and fail to start. Water in the cylinders blocks the combustion of gasoline and air, preventing compression. In the short term, you might only hear clicking sounds without movement; if left unrepaired, water can corrode piston rings and cylinder walls, leading to oil and gas leaks and significantly reduced performance. If the engine stalls due to water while driving, the car may flood, posing a suffocation risk. Repairs are troublesome: the engine must be disassembled to clean water stains and replace parts, costing anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands. As an average car owner, I know to avoid flooded areas during heavy rain and drive slowly in low gear to minimize water intake, which can save a lot of money and time.