Flood Damage to Car Engines
What Happens When a Car Engine Floods?
When a car engine floods, water enters the cylinders and mixes with the air-fuel mixture. This can cause the engine to hydrolock, which means that the water prevents the pistons from moving. Hydrolocking can damage the engine’s pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, and other internal components. In some cases, it can even cause the engine to seize up completely.
How to Prevent Flood Damage to a Car Engine
There are a few things you can do to prevent flood damage to your car engine:
- Avoid driving through flooded areas. If you must drive through a flooded area, drive slowly and carefully.
- Install a high-mount air intake on your car. This will help to prevent water from entering the engine through the air intake.
- Have your car’s air filter serviced regularly. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the engine, which can make the engine more likely to flood.
What to Do If Your Car Engine Floods
If your car engine floods, do not try to start it. Instead, follow these steps:
- Turn off the engine.
- Shift the car into neutral.
- Get out of the car and open the hood.
- Check the air filter for water. If the air filter is wet, remove it and dry it out.
- Remove the spark plugs and crank the engine over for a few seconds to clear the water out of the cylinders.
- Reinstall the spark plugs and air filter.
- Try to start the engine. If the engine starts, let it run for a few minutes to dry out the cylinders.
If the engine does not start, you may need to have it towed to a mechanic to have it repaired.
Conclusion
Flood damage to car engines can be a serious problem. However, by taking the proper precautions, you can help to prevent this type of damage from occurring. If your car engine does flood, do not try to start it. Instead, follow the steps outlined above to prevent further damage.
