Why Should You Not Attempt to Restart a Flooded Vehicle?
2 Answers
Because restarting the engine can cause damage, and insurance companies will not cover the costs for such damages. Here are the relevant details: Driving through water: If water is sucked into the cylinders while driving through water, it can cause the engine to stall. Forcing the starter to restart the engine in this situation will make the pistons attempt to compress the water in the cylinders. Since water is incompressible, this will result in damage to the engine's connecting rods and crankshaft, requiring extensive engine disassembly for repairs. Stalling in water: When a vehicle stalls while driving through water, it is often not due to water entering the engine but rather because the increased resistance from the water causes the engine to lose power and stall.
I've seen this happen several times. If your car stalls in water, you must never try to restart it immediately. Once water enters the engine compartment through the exhaust pipe or intake, attempting to restart will cause the engine to try compressing the water molecules. Unlike gasoline, water cannot be compressed. When the piston moves upward, it can easily bend the connecting rod, and in severe cases, even break the crankshaft. Not only will the entire engine be ruined, but repairs will cost at least 20,000 to 30,000 RMB, and insurance may not cover it. The correct approach is to cut off the power immediately, call for a tow truck to take the car to a professional repair shop to check the cylinder condition. Never try to start it yourself—you’ll regret it deeply.
