What to Do If Water Enters the Engine?
4 Answers
Here are the steps to handle water entering a car engine: 1. Vehicle driving in water: If the engine stalls due to water entering it; if your car stalls in water, most mechanics will ask for your authorization to disassemble the engine. 2. The car has been submerged in water but the engine was not started: If the engine was not started until it was towed to the repair shop; in this case, the vehicle was only submerged once and then towed to the repair shop without starting the engine midway, which generally does not cause irreversible damage to the engine. The main task is to clean the water inside the engine, but the extent of cleaning depends on the situation. In most cases, the intake pipe and intake manifold need to be removed, and compressed air is used to dry out the water inside.
If water enters the engine, don’t panic—immediately pull over to a safe spot, turn off the engine, and avoid moving the car. Starting it could force water into the cylinders, damaging pistons or connecting rods during compression. In severe cases, the entire engine might be ruined, costing far more than it’s worth. Call a towing service and have the car towed to a repair shop for inspection. The mechanic will check if the air filter is soaked or if there are water marks on the spark plugs to assess the extent of water intrusion. Minor cases may only require draining, while severe ones could demand a full engine rebuild. I always keep an eye on weather forecasts while driving—if water depth exceeds half the tire height, I detour instead of charging through. Regularly inspecting wiper seals also helps prevent leaks. Quick action ensures safety, while delays only raise repair costs.
Two years ago, I drove too aggressively in heavy rain and ended up in deep water, causing the car to stall. I immediately stopped the engine and didn’t dare to move, quickly calling for a rescue tow truck. The mechanic later said I was lucky I didn’t try to restart the engine, or the piston rods could have bent, potentially costing over ten thousand in repairs with no guarantee of fixing it. Lesson learned: If the engine takes in water, stop the car and shut off the engine immediately—never try to restart it out of curiosity. I found a reliable towing service to take it to a professional shop, where the mechanic checked the oil for cloudiness or bubbles to assess the damage. Minor water intrusion might cost just a few thousand to fix, but severe damage is a nightmare. Now, I’m extra cautious when driving in heavy rain—slowing down and checking water depth before proceeding. Towing fees are far cheaper than engine repairs—that’s a no-brainer!
The most crucial step when water enters the engine is to stop and turn off the ignition immediately without restarting. I promptly moved the car to a safe spot, left the engine untouched, and contacted a towing service to transport it to the repair shop. At the shop, check the air filter—if it's soaked or the engine oil is abnormal, promptly clean and apply anti-rust treatment for repairs. Avoid attempting to restart to prevent piston damage and higher repair costs. For prevention, avoid driving through deep water, slow down when encountering water, and detour if necessary. Handling these details well minimizes safety risks, reduces expenses, and avoids headaches.
