What to Do If the Car Fails to Restart After Stalling in Water?
2 Answers
Solution for a car failing to restart after stalling in water: Immediately call a tow truck to have the car transported to a professional repair facility or 4S shop for disassembly and repair. After stalling in water, never attempt to restart the engine. This is because a car engine compresses gas, and if the engine stalls due to water intake, it indicates the presence of water in the cylinders. Restarting the engine under such conditions means it will compress water instead of gas, leading to bent connecting rods and cracked cylinder walls. Precautions for water ingress: 1. If the car has taken in water, never attempt to start the vehicle, as insurance will not cover the damage. 2. First, call the insurance company to file a report, follow their specified procedures, and ensure to report the incident within 24 hours.
That day, my car stalled suddenly while driving through water. I tried starting it twice with no response at all, and my heart sank. I immediately called a friend for help, and they said this was a big mistake that could damage the engine. I had no choice but to call the rescue hotline for a tow truck to take it to the repair shop. It turned out that water had entered the engine block, causing hydro-lock, and the second attempt to start it made things worse. The mechanic disassembled it, cleaned the pipes, and replaced a few small parts, costing me over a thousand yuan. My advice to everyone: don’t panic in such situations—if the engine stalls, stop immediately and don’t try to restart it! Wait for professionals to tow it away to avoid additional damage. Thinking back, it’s scary—if I had tried starting it again, the engine might have been ruined. Remember this lesson: safety first.
