Why is a car considered totaled when submerged in water?

[LeIan]

The specific reasons why a car is considered totaled when submerged in water are as follows: 1. Engine damage: When a vehicle is submerged, water can enter the cylinders through the intake manifold. Due to the incompressibility of water, the piston's movement will be shortened, leading to bending or breaking of the engine connecting rods. In extreme cases, the broken connecting rods can pierce through the engine block. The reason a car stalls in water is that water entering the distributor cap disrupts the normal ignition function, and the engine air filter element getting soaked increases intake resistance and allows water to enter the combustion chamber, preventing the spark plugs from igniting. Attempting to restart the engine under these conditions can easily cause a hydro lock. 3. Compromised engine oil performance: If water enters the engine, it will also mix with the engine oil, causing the oil to degrade and lose its original properties. This means the oil can no longer perform its functions of lubrication, cooling, sealing, and corrosion prevention, ultimately harming the engine.