Why Shouldn't You Attempt to Restart a Car After Water Intrusion
3 Answers
To prevent water from entering the engine and causing severe consequences. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. The engine will inevitably stall after water intrusion: Since water entering the cylinders lacks lubricating properties, blindly attempting to restart the engine after stalling may lead to cylinder scuffing and complete engine failure. 2. Check all vehicle fluid systems: This prevents issues like foaming or contamination that could degrade oil quality and eliminate lubrication. Additionally, water may carry sand particles that cause excessive engine wear, necessitating immediate cleaning and replacement. After inspection, thoroughly clean all electrical connections in the engine compartment to prevent corrosion from residual moisture and sand deposits.
As someone who enjoys studying car structures, I know the reason is quite straightforward: if you attempt to restart the engine after water ingress, water can enter the engine cylinders. While air can be compressed, water acts like a solid rock—when the piston pushes upward, it can get stuck, causing severe impact that directly leads to bent connecting rods or shattered pistons. The entire engine might even be ruined. This happens because water cannot flow under high temperature and pressure, creating instantaneous stress that damages components, and repairs can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. In case of water submersion, such as stalling while driving through a flooded area, it's best to stop immediately and avoid touching the engine. Call a tow truck to take the car to a repair shop for drainage system inspection. To prevent such accidents, always pay attention to wading depth and avoid submerging the air intake.
From a safety perspective, this is paramount. The risk of secondary ignition after a vehicle takes on water is extremely high. Water in the engine cylinders acts like a solid wall, causing piston movement to suddenly halt when obstructed. This generates tremendous destructive force, damaging internal components and potentially leading to loss of vehicle control. Stalling at high speeds or on slippery roads is particularly dangerous. Experience shows this often occurs during heavy rain or when fording water. Attempting to restart immediately after stalling only compounds the problem. I recall a firsthand case where a friend tried restarting, resulting in engine smoke and doubled towing costs. My current advice is clear: don't hesitate - turn off the ignition immediately if the engine stalls. After ensuring personal safety, contact professional technicians for water drainage. Make it a habit to avoid deep water when driving routinely.
