Where Does Water Enter a Flooded Sedan?
2 Answers
Water can enter a car through the sunroof, doors, or chassis. Here are the details: 1. Vehicle chassis: The chassis typically has drainage holes designed to expel water after wading. If these holes get clogged with debris or their rubber seals deteriorate/detach, water infiltration becomes likely. 2. Precautions: Never attempt to restart the engine immediately after hydro-lock occurs. Since the exact cause of stalling can't be instantly determined, reckless ignition attempts may inflict unpredictable severe damage to the vehicle.
I remember my car also got flooded during last year's rainy season. When I took it to a mechanic for inspection, we found the main leak was from the sunroof drainage tube. The rubber had aged, causing cracks at the connection points, allowing rainwater to flow down the A-pillar and under the floor mats. Another critical issue was the deformed door seals, especially near the passenger door frame where accumulated leaves blocked the drainage holes. The most surprising leak point was the AC air intake - the plastic cover panel under the windshield had cracked, letting rainwater pour directly into the blower during heavy storms. I recommend cleaning the sunroof tracks during every car wash and regularly checking if door seals have hardened. Personally, I now test the seals quarterly by spraying water with a hose, since dealing with moldy carpets is such a hassle to repair.
