What to Do If the Air Filter Gets Wet
2 Answers
Water in the air conditioning filter can affect the engine and may lead to engine water ingress. Here are the relevant solutions: 1. Replace the Air Filter: First, turn off the engine to prevent water from entering the engine and causing hydraulic lock. Open the air filter housing, clean out the water (check if there is water in the cylinders), and have a simple cleaning done at a reputable repair shop. Then, replace the wet air filter. 2. Install the Air Filter: When installing, pay attention to the orientation of the filter to avoid installing it backward. After installation, check if the filter is properly seated. The filtering surface should cover the entire air duct, and the edges should fit tightly. Otherwise, it may result in filtration failure.
When encountering water entering the air filter while driving, I immediately turned off the engine and didn't dare to restart it. I had it towed to the repair shop where they opened the air filter box and drained the water. The mechanic said this kind of water ingress is very dangerous, as water entering the cylinders can bend the connecting rods, leading to major repairs—just hearing the cost was painful. From now on, I'll always pay attention to the position of the air intake when crossing water, as sedans have lower air intakes and are more prone to water ingress. I recommend checking your vehicle's wading depth before driving through water, and for off-road vehicles, modifying a high-mounted snorkel is the most reliable solution. During regular maintenance, always inspect the sealing strips of the air filter box for aging, and try to take elevated routes when driving in the rain.
