Will the engine stall immediately if water enters it?
2 Answers
If water enters a car's engine, it will stall. If the engine stalls due to water ingress, do not attempt to restart it, as this can cause severe damage to the engine. If your car has water ingress insurance, the insurance company will not cover the cost of engine damage caused by restarting the engine after stalling due to water exposure. Additional information is as follows: Vehicle Damage Insurance: Vehicle Damage Insurance refers to a type of commercial auto insurance where the insurance company compensates within a reasonable range for damage to the insured vehicle caused by an accident while the vehicle is being used by the insured or an authorized driver. Water Ingress Insurance: Water Ingress Insurance, also known as Vehicle Water Damage Insurance, is specifically designed to cover engine damage caused by flooding. Only car owners who have purchased Water Ingress Insurance can receive corresponding compensation from the insurance company when the engine is damaged due to water exposure.
Engine hydro-lock often leads to immediate stalling. As a frequent auto repairer, I've witnessed numerous such cases. When water enters the cylinders, its incompressibility (unlike air) causes piston seizure during upward motion, resulting in instant engine stall. This typically occurs during water fording when the water level exceeds the air intake, allowing water ingestion into the combustion chambers. Continued operation after water ingress risks severe engine damage, including connecting rod deformation or fracture. During heavy rain or floods, avoid driving through deep water. If water intrusion occurs, never restart the engine - doing so may require prohibitively expensive repairs, sometimes necessitating complete engine replacement. Routine maintenance should include air filter inspections and intake system leak checks to mitigate such risks. Addressing minor issues promptly prevents major complications.
