Will the Engine Definitely Stall if Water Enters?
2 Answers
Engine will definitely stall if water enters. The reason is that after the distributor cap gets wet, the distributor loses its normal ignition function. The engine air filter element becomes soaked, leading to increased intake resistance and water entering the combustion chamber, making it impossible for the spark plug to ignite. If the engine is restarted at this time, it is highly likely to cause hydro-lock. After water enters the engine, check the electrical circuits: Since dirty rainwater is an excellent conductor, the circuits may short-circuit when exposed to water. After water enters the engine, check whether the braking system is affected: Because the braking system has strong absorbency, rainwater can easily enter the brake fluid, which will affect braking performance. In severe cases, it may even cause the braking system to fail. Damages caused by water entering the engine: Once water enters the car engine, at best, the spark plug may fail to ignite or the engine may stall directly; at worst, it can cause cylinder scoring, hydro-lock, connecting rod fracture, crankshaft bending, etc.
As a frequent off-road driver, I think engine hydro-lock is indeed prone to causing stalling. Simply put, water can't be compressed like air. Once water is sucked into the cylinders, it forcibly blocks piston movement, causing immediate engine shutdown. This typically happens when driving through deep water where the level rises above the air intake, potentially triggering chain damage like bent connecting rods or internal component fractures. But it's not absolute; in shallow water, maintaining slow speed might allow minor water splash-in where the engine may cough but not necessarily stall immediately. However, the risk is too high - I've seen friends face tens of thousands in repair costs after taking chances. Daily precautions: avoid water crossings, check air filter integrity, and prioritize engine health. Safety first.
