Will Starting the Engine Twice After Water Intake Damage the Engine?
4 Answers
Not necessarily. If the vehicle stalls during water wading, do not attempt to restart it immediately. A second start may lead to three possible scenarios: 1. Air filter water intake: The engine can still start after water wading, but if water enters the air filter, the engine may inhale some moisture along with the air. This moisture forms steam, and when mixed with gasoline, it burns completely, which does not significantly affect the engine. 2. Minor water intake into the engine: If a small amount of water reaches the cylinders and mixes with the engine oil, the oil quality deteriorates. Water in the oil increases wear on engine components, potentially leading to louder engine noise and greater vibration while driving. 3. Starting and stalling again: If the engine starts but stalls after a few seconds and cannot be restarted despite multiple attempts, this is the most severe scenario. Since water cannot be compressed, when it enters the cylinders, it may cause the valves and connecting rods to bend, piston seizure, severe cylinder wear, and crankshaft bending, especially if the engine is running at high speed.
I've been through this myself. Last year during heavy rain, I drove through a flooded area, and the engine stalled after taking in water. Foolishly, I tried to restart it, which completely destroyed the engine. Water got sucked into the cylinders, locking the pistons in place and causing hydraulic lock. The connecting rods bent and deformed, requiring a complete engine overhaul that cost me over 10,000 yuan. The insurance company refused to cover it, claiming it was my own operational error. Since then, I've learned never to attempt restarting after water intake—the smart move is to stop immediately and call for a tow truck. Driving in the rainy season requires extra caution; never risk crossing deep water, or you could face huge losses and serious danger.
If you attempt to start the engine again after it has ingested water, it will definitely cause damage—I've experienced this firsthand. When water enters the cylinders, it cannot be compressed, causing the pistons to seize during movement. This can lead to internal component failures, such as broken connecting rods or piston rings. Repairs are costly, starting at several thousand dollars, and time-consuming. A friend of mine once had his car totaled this way, and he deeply regretted it. If your engine stalls due to water ingestion, stop immediately and have a professional mechanic inspect the cylinder condition—it's the safest approach. Always try to avoid deep water while driving; don’t risk it just to save time.
Starting the engine a second time after water ingestion will definitely damage it. I've volunteered to handle similar incidents before. Water entering the cylinders prevents compression, jams the pistons, and causes connecting rod fractures, completely destroying the engine. Repairs and towing can take several days, posing significant safety risks. To avoid such damage, immediately stop and seek help if the engine stalls due to water ingestion. Don't gamble by trying to restart – safety comes first, so always opt for professional towing.
