Will Water Definitely Enter the Engine If Restarted After Stalling in Water?

[EllianaLee]

Restarting the engine after stalling in water will definitely cause water ingress. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Reason: Water can enter the intake system through the air intake, forming an air-water mixture that enters the engine cylinders. While air can be compressed, water cannot. When the crankshaft pushes the connecting rod to compress towards the piston, the incompressible water will cause the connecting rod to bend. Without proper repair, the bent connecting rod rubbing against the cylinder wall poses a risk of breaking both the engine block and connecting rod. 2. Precautions: If your vehicle stalls in water, never attempt to restart the engine. Normally, without restarting, simply draining the engine and inspecting/replacing components like the air filter at a repair facility suffices. However, restarting after stalling risks engine damage, necessitating thorough inspection at a repair shop to assess potential damage.

[Gomes]

Last time I drove through a waterlogged section and the engine stalled, without thinking I tried to restart it immediately, and the engine was completely ruined. The mechanic told me that when the engine stalls, water might have already entered the exhaust pipe, and attempting to restart it can suck water into the cylinders. While it's not a 100% certainty, the suction force generated by piston movement makes it particularly easy to draw water into the engine. That repair cost me over 8,000 yuan, and insurance didn't cover it. Now whenever I see standing water, I avoid it. If the engine does stall, I obediently call for a tow truck. I've heard some experienced drivers wait ten minutes before restarting in shallow water to avoid damage, but the risk is still too high.

[Carvalho]

With ten years of auto repair experience, I've seen too many cases where a second ignition led to major engine overhauls. Once water submerges the exhaust pipe, restarting after stalling is like using a straw to suck water—the crankshaft can instantly draw water into the cylinders. While it might be fine in very shallow water, can you really judge accurately? Last week, a skeptical client insisted on a second ignition when the water level just covered the tires, resulting in a bent connecting rod. Replacing the middle cylinder assembly cost him 12,000 RMB. Remember, the safest move after stalling in water is to shift to neutral and have someone push the car out, or simply call for roadside assistance.

[AlexaFitz]

Driving in the rain requires extra caution. My SUV was damaged due to a second ignition attempt. At that time, the water level only reached halfway up the wheel hubs, but after the engine stalled, I panicked and tried to restart it. The engine gurgled a few times and then completely died. The dealership found three cylinders had water ingress when they opened it up, and the repair bill was painful to look at. Later, I learned from research that even if the water level isn't high, the intake can instantly suck in water mist during a restart attempt. Now, I teach my kids: if the engine stalls in water, immediately turn off the power, activate hazard lights, and don't touch the ignition button.

[GeorgeFitz]

A friend's car got waterlogged last year, and the issue arose from a second ignition attempt. At that time, the water had just risen above the chassis. After the engine stalled, he thought it could start again, but the engine ended up with a hydrolock. The auto repair shop mentioned that in such cases, there's a high chance of water ingestion because once the exhaust pressure is lost, water can backflow through the tailpipe. Although a lucky few might escape unscathed, repairing the engine can easily cost tens of thousands, making it wiser to spend a couple hundred on a tow truck instead. Before heading out during the rainy season, it's best to check your car's air intake height. For sedans, if the water depth exceeds 30 cm, it's better not to force your way through.