Full fire in puddles - discs, ignition and even an engine for replacement

Driving a car at high speed into a puddle or pool can result not only in a skid, but also in serious damage to the car. Besides, you never know what the water is hiding.

Of course, cars are built in such a way that they can be operated all year round in various weather conditions. So cars are protected in case of contact with water. But they are not amphibious, and if we get into deep puddles, or worse, into a puddle, we can seriously damage the car.

– The list of possible damages is long, from losing the front license plate, tearing off the cover under the engine, to flooding the components in the engine compartment. Ignition devices, ignition coils, high-voltage cables and an air filter especially do not like water. Water can also accelerate the corrosion of exhaust system elements, says Vitold Rogovsky, an expert from the ProfiAuto network of car services and stores.

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Dry the flooded ignition system with compressed air.

If the ignition system is flooded, the engine will almost certainly stall. If after a few minutes it does not start again, it is necessary to dry the damp elements of the ignition system. In summer, when the air temperature is high, it is sometimes enough to lift the hood for several tens of minutes.

In autumn and winter, you will need compressed air to dry your engine. To do this, you need a visit to the workshop or a stop at a gas station, where you can pump up the wheels with the help of a compressor. That's why it's always a good idea to have a preservative and dewatering agent (like WD-40) in the trunk and spray them on the flooded parts. However, you should be careful not to treat electronics with WD-40 because although it does not conduct electricity, it can damage printed circuit boards and integrated circuits.

Water in the engine, bent connecting rods, replacement of the power unit

More serious problems occur when engines suck water into the intake manifold and combustion chambers. This usually means suspension of the car and big expenses for its owner. Water in the combustion chambers can damage the head, pistons and even connecting rods, among other things. The mechanic's bill then costs several thousand zlotys. In the case of older cars, it may even turn out that the cost of repairing the engine will exceed the value of the car. The only solution is to replace the drive with another, naturally used one.

It happens that a flooded engine does not go out, but it clearly loses power, knocks and unpleasant knocks come from under the hood. Usually one of the cylinders does not work. In this case, start by changing the engine oil and checking the components of the ignition system. The next step is to check the compression pressure and the operation of the injectors.

In extreme cases, water can also enter the transmission through the breather and corrode its components. This results in faster gear wear. Tip - change the oil in the gearbox.

Large amounts of water can also damage components that get hot during operation, such as the turbocharger or catalytic converter. Their replacement costs from 1000 PLN and more.

Hot brake discs plus cold water equals a beating.

Driving quickly into a puddle can also warp the brake discs.

– Driving in the rain does not pose a risk to the braking system. Shields have special covers that reflect excess water. However, we will drive into a puddle at high speed, and the brakes are hot, water can get on the disc, which will lead to its deformation, explains Mariusz Staniuk, head of the AMS service department from Słupsk, a Toyota dealer.

A sign of warping of the brake disc is a characteristic beating that is felt on the steering wheel when braking. Sometimes this is accompanied by pulsation of the brake pedal.

In case of serious damage, the discs will have to be replaced, but most often it is enough to roll them in the workshop.

“Each disc has an appropriate thickness tolerance to which it can be rolled out,” Stanyuk explains.

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The price of such a service starts from about PLN 50 per target. But for safety reasons, it is best to roll both discs on the same axis. Currently, many workshops have special tools that allow you to do this without removing the disc from the axle.

A set of new brake discs for the front axle costs at least PLN 300.

Water inside the car - the only solution is quick drying

If you drive into a deep puddle, such as during a rainstorm, you need to dry your car as soon as possible. According to experts, if the car was immersed in water above the threshold for several tens of minutes, it is practically scrap metal. The consequences of flooding a car can be tarnished electrical wires, rust or rotting upholstery.

Witold Rogowski adds two more arguments in favor of avoiding large puddles.

– On a rainy road, the braking distance is longer and it is easier to skid. Avoid or slow down in front of puddles because you don't know what's underneath. Driving into a pit can lead to damage to the suspension elements and additional costs, advises the ProfiAuto network expert.

Wojciech Frölichowski