What should I do if water enters the car exhaust pipe?
Recently, many places across the country have experienced heavy rainfall, and many car owners have reported that water has entered the exhaust pipes of their vehicles, causing malfunctions. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with detailed answers to countermeasures for water intrusion into car exhaust pipes, and provide structured data reference.
1. Common causes of water entering the exhaust pipe

| Reason type | Specific instructions | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Driving through water | When passing through a waterlogged section, the water level exceeds the height of the exhaust pipe | 68% |
| Soaked by heavy rain | Vehicles parked in low-lying areas were flooded | 25% |
| Improper car washing | High-pressure water gun directly flushes the exhaust pipe | 7% |
2. Hazard level of water entering the exhaust pipe
| Hazard level | Symptoms | maintenance cost |
|---|---|---|
| slight | Water accumulates in the exhaust pipe and it is difficult to start | 200-500 yuan |
| Moderate | Engine shakes and power drops | 800-2000 yuan |
| serious | Water enters the engine and the connecting rod is bent | More than 5,000 yuan |
3. Emergency handling steps
1.Turn off the flame immediately: After discovering that water has entered the exhaust pipe, shut down the engine as soon as possible to avoid secondary damage.
2.Check water level: Observe whether the accumulated water exceeds the tire center line. If it exceeds, it is prohibited to start the vehicle.
3.Drainage treatment: Push the vehicle to a dry place, remove the spark plug and drain the water from the cylinder.
4.Professional testing: Use the diagnostic tool to read the fault code, focusing on checking the oxygen sensor and three-way catalytic converter.
4. Maintenance cost reference
| Maintenance items | Ordinary models | luxury model |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust pipe drainage | 150-300 yuan | 400-800 yuan |
| oxygen sensor replacement | 300-600 yuan | 1200-2500 yuan |
| Engine overhaul | 3000-8000 yuan | 15,000-30,000 yuan |
5. Preventive measures
1.Avoid deep water areas: When encountering waterlogged roads, it is recommended to take a detour if the water level exceeds 1/2 the height of the tires.
2.Pass at low speed and even speed: It is necessary to maintain a constant speed of 10-15km/h when wading to avoid causing water waves.
3.Regular inspection: Before the rainy season, check whether the exhaust pipe is tight and the drainage hole is unobstructed.
4.buy insurance: It is recommended to add water-related insurance. The average premium is about 5% of the car damage insurance.
6. Expert advice
According to data from a well-known automobile repair chain organization, repair cases caused by water in the exhaust pipe have increased by 43% year-on-year since July. It is recommended that car owners try to park their vehicles on high ground during heavy rain. If they must wade through water, they should promptly go to a professional agency for chassis rust prevention treatment afterwards.
Final reminder: Never try to remove accumulated water by igniting multiple times. This may cause serious damage to the engine, and the insurance company will refuse to cover such artificially amplified losses.
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