What to Do When the Engine is Flooded?
2 Answers
The simplest method is to check if the color of the engine oil appears abnormal. If the oil turns milky white, it indicates that water has entered the fuel tank or engine. Inspect the air filter and the lower housing of the air filter for any obvious signs of water ingress, and check the intake pipe and intake manifold for clear traces of water. Remove the spark plugs from each cylinder and check if they are damp. If they are damp, it indicates signs of water in the engine. When water enters the engine, because water is difficult to compress, the piston cannot reach the original top dead center position, and the top dead center position will show a noticeable downward shift.
Last year during a heavy rainstorm, my car's engine got flooded by standing water, which really startled me. I immediately pulled over, turned off the ignition, and sat in the car to calm down. It's crucial never to attempt restarting the engine in such situations, as it can allow water to enter the cylinders, causing damage to pistons and connecting rods, leading to exorbitant repair costs. I called for a tow truck, and at the repair shop, the mechanic found the air filter completely soaked. It took three to four days to clean everything thoroughly, and the engine oil had to be replaced. The whole ordeal cost me several thousand dollars, which was quite painful. Since then, I always detour when I see roads with deep standing water and drive extra carefully on rainy days. Prevention is key—I now pay close attention to weather forecasts and avoid going out during heavy rains. Keeping a towing service card in the car is also very convenient.
