Will the engine take in water if the car passes through water without stalling?
2 Answers
It will not take in water. Here is the explanation of whether the engine will take in water when the car passes through water without stalling: Water entry points: If the car does not stall, there is no water entry. The engine is a fully sealed environment, with the only possible water entry points being the air intake and exhaust ports. No water entry: The exhaust port will not take in water while operating. Therefore, as long as the air intake is higher than the water surface, there will be no water entry. If the engine takes in water, the car will stall; if the car does not stall, it means no water has entered. Below is extended information on water-affected vehicles: Specific definition of water-affected vehicles: The vehicle begins to accumulate water, and internal components are damaged due to water exposure, with corresponding flood levels for water-affected vehicles. Classification of water-affected vehicle flood levels: Level 1 is when water just reaches the vehicle chassis, Level 2 is when water reaches half of the wheels, Level 3 is when water almost completely submerges the tires, Level 4 is when water reaches the engine hood, Level 5 is when water completely submerges the engine hood, and Level 6 is when water submerges the roof.
When my car drives through a flooded section with the engine still running, can water rush into the engine? Actually, it depends on the water depth. If the water only reaches halfway up the wheels, water generally won't reach the air intake, and the engine can still breathe normally. However, if the water level exceeds the headlight position, water may be sucked into the high-speed running engine, causing "hydrolock"—this directly ruins the engine. Last time, my old SUV passed through a shallow puddle without issues, but later, a friend's car had its engine flooded in deep water, costing over ten thousand for major repairs. So, before crossing water, it's best to step out and measure the depth or pass through slowly to reduce waves and prevent accidents. After crossing, remember to check the chassis and around the air intake for any water stains—safety first is always good.
