Will a car be damaged if driven out of water?
2 Answers
Yes. It may cause water to enter the engine, leading to stalling. The specific consequences are as follows: 1. Stalling: It is possible that after the exhaust pipe is submerged, the exhaust resistance increases, and coupled with the inherent resistance of driving in water, the engine speed rapidly decreases, resulting in stalling. This principle is similar to starting a manual transmission car at 800 RPM, which usually causes stalling. At 800 RPM, the engine cannot provide sufficient power to propel the car forward, leading to stalling. 2. Engine water ingress: Open the hood and remove the air filter to check if it is wet. If it is dry, the engine has not taken in water, and the car can be used safely. If the filter is wet, replace it and check the intake tract for water droplets or moisture. If none are present, there is no problem.
That day I accidentally drove into deep water, and only after getting out did I understand the hidden dangers of a waterlogged car. The most troublesome part is water accumulation in the engine bay—water can seep into the vehicle's computer through wiring conduits, causing no immediate issues but triggering fault codes within days. A soaked air filter directly leads to water entering the engine, producing a gurgling sound like slurping soup, which severely damages piston rods. Submerged chassis bearings cause lubricating grease to emulsify, resulting in a buzzing noise while driving. Not to mention the water trapped under the interior carpets, whose musty smell lingers for months. Later, I spent nearly two thousand replacing all the wiring harness connectors with waterproof sleeves. The mechanic warned that the circuit boards would’ve been ruined if I’d waited any longer. His advice: after wading through water, immediately disassemble the air cleaner to check—if there are water droplets, don’t even attempt to start the engine.
