Why should you not attempt to restart a vehicle after water immersion?
2 Answers
Because restarting the engine can cause damage, and insurance companies will not cover the claim for such damage. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Driving through water: If water is sucked into the cylinders during water immersion, it can cause the engine to stall. Forcibly starting the engine at this point will cause the starter to turn the engine, forcing the pistons to compress the water. Since water is incompressible, this will result in damage to the engine's crankshaft and connecting rods, requiring extensive engine disassembly for repairs. 2. Stalling in water: In many cases when driving through water, the engine stalls not because water has entered it, but because the increased resistance from the water causes insufficient engine power, leading to a stall.
After wading through water, do not attempt to restart the engine, as it concerns the engine's lifespan. During engine operation, the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture, but if water is sucked into the cylinder, the water, being incompressible, can cause the piston to get stuck during its downward movement. This results in immense force that can bend or break the connecting rod, and in severe cases, completely destroy the engine. Repairing this hydro-lock phenomenon is both expensive and complex, potentially requiring replacement of the entire engine unit. When driving, I always remind myself to calmly turn off the ignition switch if the engine stalls during wading and not to attempt a restart. A small mistake like this could cost tens of thousands in repairs, and insurance might even refuse to cover the damages. Remember to check the sealing of your vehicle's air intake system before the rainy season—prevention is always better than regret.
