What to Do When the Car Stalls and Won't Start After Driving Through a Water Puddle?

[VonCody]

Steps to take when the car stalls and won't start after driving through a water puddle: 1. If the engine has been submerged in water, do not attempt to start it immediately. Starting the engine under such conditions can cause water to enter the combustion chamber, leading to bending of the engine connecting rods. 2. Contact your insurance company and a repair service to arrange for towing. 3. Once the car is towed to the repair facility, have the engine inspected for water ingress. The repair service will assess the extent of the water damage to determine if the engine connecting rods need replacement. 4. If water has entered the combustion chamber or the engine connecting rods show slight deformation, replacement is necessary.

[DiSimon]

That day it was raining heavily and I accidentally drove into a big puddle. The car suddenly stalled with a loud bang and wouldn't start at all, which drove me crazy with worry. I immediately stopped the car and didn't dare to try starting it again, because I'd heard mechanics say water in the engine can damage it. Later, I opened the hood and checked the air filter - sure enough, it was soaked. I dried it with tissues and waited about ten minutes for the water to drain. When I tried starting it again, it still wouldn't work, so I had to call a tow truck to take it to the shop. The engineer said water had entered the cylinders and parts needed replacement. This taught me a lesson - during rainy season, always drive slowly through puddles and avoid them if possible. Regularly check the air filter's dryness to prevent such troubles. It cost me 2000 yuan for repairs, but safety comes first. I'll definitely remember this lesson.

[FranciscoAnn]

I've been driving since I was young and am now nearing retirement. I've seen this situation countless times - the most common cause of a car stalling after going through a puddle is water entering the intake and jamming the pistons. Don't rush to restart the engine, as this could damage the crankshaft or even total your vehicle. Park and wait a few minutes to let the water drain out, then check the air filter - if it's wet, remove it to dry. Sometimes you can use a screwdriver to turn the spark plug hole to see if the engine loosens up. If it won't start, immediately seek professional help. When driving normally, pay attention to puddle depth - if it exceeds half the tire height, don't take the risk. You can install a raised air intake modification to reduce the danger.

[DiAllie]

Having worked on car repairs for several years, I've handled such issues myself. When the car stalls, stop it immediately and avoid attempting to restart to prevent further damage. Open the hood, remove the intake pipe, and check the air filter for any water marks. If it's wet, take it out and use a hair dryer on low heat to dry it, then let it cool. If that doesn't work, tow it away for professional repair—don't force it. Prevention is key: install a waterproof cover before the rainy season and regularly check the seals during maintenance to prevent water seepage. This saves money, ensures peace of mind, and upholds the principle of safe driving.