You drove through water and the engine stopped — do not restart
Water does not compress. One start attempt with water in a cylinder bends a con rod — the engine is then for replacement.
Symptoms
- The engine died in water
- The starter turns heavily or not at all
- Water on the air filter
- A car left in a flooded car park
Do not start it. Not even once. If water entered the intake, it is sitting in a cylinder. The piston cannot compress it and cranking bends the con rod — a stall becomes a full rebuild because of one attempt.
Do not open the doors more than necessary if the water is high — it floods the cabin and reaches the electronics under the seats.
Disconnect the battery terminal if it is safe to do so. A wet electrical system under current corrodes and short-circuits.
When you need a tow: always. A car that went through deep water goes on a flatbed to a garage, where they first drain the oil and check for water. This is one of the few cases where the transport cost is trivial next to the alternative.
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