Question: I got caught in a rainstorm and drove under a bridge that was flooded. My car made it through, but I’m worried I have water in my engine. What happens if water gets into your engine?
Answer: If you drove through water, there’s a chance it reached your engine. The engine bay is a very important area of your car since that’s also where a good number of electrical components are located.
If the water only reached the bottom of your bumper, it’s unlikely it was deep enough to disrupt anything. However, if water reaches above that, you might encounter several problems.
Driving through deep water can lead to engine damage, oil contamination and electrical issues. If you see deep water on the road, it’s probably best to stay out of it as much as you can to avoid expensive repair costs from engine and electrical damage.
Can water mess up your engine?
An engine contains several fluids, and they need to be kept sealed to ensure proper operation. Your engine’s air intake can draw in liquid and contaminate these fluids if you drive through deep water. Here are some parts of your engine that could be affected by water:
Piston damage
An engine needs oxygen for combustion, but the air intake doesn’t discriminate. If fluid enter through the air intake, it could go straight into the engine. Once water enters the combustion chamber, it doesn’t burn like gasoline, potentially leading to damage to your pistons when your engine is in operation.
Engine oil contamination
When water enters your engine, it can contaminate the engine oil, which has to be within a specific viscosity. Your car’s manual defines what type of oil you should use. When water mixes with engine oil, it can compromise lubrication, causing accelerated wear on engine parts.
Electrical damage
In your engine bay, you’ll find fuses and a battery that could corrode from flooding. Water can also cause shorts in your electrical system, which might damage components. You might notice that wires, components and battery terminals go from a solid gray color to a green, white or brown color. That’s corrosion, and it can cause problems with electrical components.
What should I do if I suspect water got into my engine?
First, if you notice inconsistencies in engine operation or suspect that your engine might have been flooded, do not start your car or drive any farther because this could cause damage. Get a mechanic to inspect your car.
Second, pull out your engine oil dipstick. Wipe it down, reinsert it, then pull it out again and look at it closely. You should see a consistent brown color. If you see water droplets on the dipstick, it’s a sign you have water contamination and shouldn’t start your engine. Contact your mechanic for service.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Phil Metzger is a personal finance editor and writer with more than 30 years of experience editing and writing content across a variety of industries. In writing and editing for Jerry, Phil’s mission is to help car owners better understand their vehicles and the costs associated with car ownership. Before joining Jerry, Phil worked as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, television radio and online news. His work has appeared in many major publications and websites over the years, including a series he edited that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.
