Will a Slightly Flooded Engine Heal Itself?

[VanAubrey]

A slightly flooded engine will not heal itself and requires repair. Here are the symptoms of a slightly flooded engine: 1. Check the engine oil condition: Normal engine oil colors include light yellow, brown, or transparent colorless, but it is generally not milky white. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it to check for any milky white oil-water mixture. If present, it may indicate engine water ingress. 2. Inspect the air filter: Check the air filter and the lower housing for obvious signs of water ingress. Examine the intake pipe and intake manifold for clear traces of water. Owners can DIY the removal of the air filter. 3. White smoke from the exhaust pipe: When there is water in the engine fuel or combustion chamber, the water is heated by the combustion heat in the cylinder and turns into steam, which is expelled from the exhaust pipe as white smoke. If white smoke appears after the vehicle has been through water, it is highly likely due to engine water ingress.