Will the engine valves bend if water enters?

[LaAiden]

Engine valves can bend if water enters. If the engine is operating at high speed and water enters the combustion chamber while all valves are closed during the compression stroke, the compression process cannot be completed. Since water is incompressible, the piston or connecting rod may hit the water and fail to move upward. Under the force of inertia, this can cause damage or bending, and in severe cases, it may even damage the crankshaft. Below is an introduction to engines: Concept: An engine (Engine) is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, etc. For example, internal combustion engines typically convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. Classification: Internal combustion engines, external combustion engines (where fuel burns outside the engine), gas turbines, and jet engines.

[DelNevaeh]

I've seen many cases where engines ingested water, and the valves did get bent. Specifically, when the engine is running and suddenly sucks in water, the piston forces upward during the compression stroke. Since water is incompressible, the impact force is directly transmitted to the valve stem, causing the valve to bend or deform at best, or even break the connecting rod at worst. This often happens during water wading, such as driving through deep puddles without slowing down, allowing water to be sucked in through the intake pipe. Repairs are complicated—you'd need to remove the cylinder head and replace the valves, and sometimes even the connecting rod or the entire engine. My advice is to be cautious when encountering standing water; don't blindly charge through. If this happens, shut off the engine immediately and tow the car for repairs—delaying will only worsen the damage. Regularly checking the intake pipe's sealing can help prevent such accidents.

[DeZoe]

Once when I was out driving with a friend, he insisted on accelerating through deep water during a heavy rainstorm, which resulted in the engine sucking in water and stalling on the spot. When we towed it to the repair shop, we found all the valves were bent, costing nearly ten thousand to fix. The mechanic explained: when water enters the combustion chamber, the piston compresses the water during its stroke, and the resulting backpressure directly impacts the valve heads, causing them to deform. This isn’t uncommon, especially in low-lying areas or during flood seasons. The key issue is that water ingress can happen for various reasons—clogged or aged air filters are common culprits, or poor engine bay sealing allowing water to seep in. I’ve also heard of cases where neglect in maintenance led to water ingress, so regular upkeep of air filters and sealing gaskets is crucial. After such an incident, it’s essential to get a professional inspection immediately—never attempt to restart the engine, as that could make things worse.

[SpencerLynn]

I'm quite fascinated by cars and have researched the issue of water entering the engine. When water gets into the combustion chamber, unlike air which is compressible, the tremendous pressure from the piston compressing it directly acts on the valves, easily causing the valve stems to bend and deform. This is common during rapid water fording or when a car is submerged. The damage isn't limited to valves - it can affect pistons, crankshafts, and even cylinder walls, potentially leading to complete engine failure. I've found that preventive measures are simple: slow down when fording water, preferably not exceeding 30cm depth; regularly replace the air filter; and avoid high water levels by taking detours. If water does enter, immediately turn off the engine to prevent further damage. Small issues often escalate into major problems due to negligence.