What to Do When Water Enters the Cylinder
3 Answers
If the engine only has water vapor mixed in from the air filter, simply clean the water vapor from the air filter, throttle valve, and cylinder; If there is a small amount of water in the engine oil or gasoline, it is necessary to replace the engine oil and clean the related engine components; If a significant amount of water enters the engine cylinder, causing severe damage to engine components, a new engine replacement is required.
Last time my car stalled after going through water, I immediately shifted to neutral and pulled over, not daring to turn the key again. In such a situation, if water gets into the engine and you attempt a second start, the piston will push against the rigid column of water, which can easily bend the connecting rod, leading to expensive repairs. I quickly called a tow truck to take it to the repair shop. The mechanic removed the spark plugs, used tools to drain the water from the engine, and then checked if the crankshaft and connecting rods were deformed. Fortunately, because I acted promptly, only a few small parts needed replacement to fix the issue. Now, I always avoid waterlogged areas, and if I can't avoid them, I drive slowly, making sure the water level doesn't rise above the exhaust pipe for safety.
There are many reasons for water entering the cylinders, such as driving through puddles during heavy rain, which can cause water to be sucked into the intake pipe; or the engine cylinder gasket aging and leaking, allowing coolant to seep into the cylinders. Both scenarios are quite troublesome, as water in the cylinders can obstruct piston movement, and forcibly starting the engine may lead to piston fracture. I recommend immediately stopping the engine and opening the hood to check if the air filter is soaked. If the air filter is dry, there's still hope—just remove the spark plugs to drain the water. If the air filter is wet, it indicates a significant amount of water intake, and the engine will need to be disassembled for a major overhaul. Regularly inspect the cylinder gasket's sealing condition, and when changing the coolant, have a mechanic check the cylinder pressure—prevention is much cheaper than repair.
