While water is very important for our existence, it is not equal to our engines. If something like this is put into our engines, it’ll cause a lot of destruction.
Knowing that there is water in your engine may be the worst dream for any motorist. The existence of water in the engine oil causes a serious threat to the inward combustion engine. Furthermore, this problem might occur regardless of mileage or car make and model.
So, here in this article, we will provide you with the water in engine oil symptoms. To know more about it, let’s dive into it.
The Symptoms-
The following symptoms need to be checked to see if the engine has water in it:
- The exhaust is making white smoke or fume
- The engine uses extra gasoline and decreases performance.
- At the time when the number of antifreeze falls due to a harmful cylinder head gasket or cylinder head problems, the operating temperature of the inward combustion engine overcomes the recommended operating temperature, and the sign on the gauge goes into the red zone.
- The oil’s color and constancy will alter.
- A white emulsion types on the yardstick when the water gets into the oil.
- There will be a leakage of oil
- The oil will be denatured and unable to cool as efficiently as it should.
Simply, when you turn on the key, the engine makes a quite different noise – mainly a ‘whirring’ sound. A thick petrol smell, normally near the exhaust. The car either does not run or starts instantly before cutting off.
Water in engine symptoms also includes the engine not turning over or the motor accidentally stopping while you drive. So don’t use the car or even turn on the engine if you’re concerned that water has destroyed your engine.
If you feel fishy that the engine is flooded, open the hood and inquiry about the engine oil. You’ll be capable of seeing if there’s any water harm if you supervise with the dipstick or yardstick as usual. With this supervision, you’ll see that the oil has been diluted, but you should also inquire about the sending or transmission fluid. Water has gotten into the transmission fluid if it is milky.
Another way to tell if the engine is harmed is to look at the dashboard’s foreboding lights or signals. If any flaws are found, these will light up. If you see any foreboding lights on your dashboard that you misdoubt are caused by water damage, pull over instantly.
Why is there water in the engine oil?
Water must never be allowed to admit into your engine or gearbox’s oil. Otherwise, factual foaming will happen, drastically lowering the lubricating qualities of the product.
Water in the engine – There are two ways for water to get into your oil sump:
- Water in the vehicle or automobile – Water fixation in cold air or combustion gases is an unknown occurrence that only happens at particular temperatures.
- Coolant scuttle because of a non-watertight seal in the oil (cylinder head gasket, etc.). There is a leak, and water is going into the oil if this occurs.
- Water in engine oil can harm your engine by denaturing the oil and translating it into a void or ineffective at cooling.
- Need to contact your repair shop as shortly as possible.
What is the risk of water in engine oil?
The existence of water in the engine’s oil is because of erosion as well as an alteration in the oil’s composition. The oil film’s very active features are no longer useful, and its advantages are lost. The engine will bear as a result. The resulting liquid creates a white emulsion, which sabot the channels and reasons the piston ring to stick. Scuffs create on the polishing pairs at a similar moment, and the cylinder walls are the first to suffer.
This emulsion is running to remain in the depths. This will also result in a rise in oil consistency and low fluidity. This will eventually be important to the maintenance of the engine, mainly those sectors that are lubricated under pressure, such as the crankshaft, camshaft, and piston pins.
The most difficult situation happens when a small number of moisture enter the motor, and the driver is unknown of it since no symptoms arise. The adding rod disfigures in this condition yet remains functional. The engine can stall after a particular number of miles and cannot be restarted.
Where to look for water damage?
- First, check the air filter and intake. If they’re wet, you can directly accept the worst. Look for other signs inside the engine where water may have spilled.
- Next, inquire about the oil dipstick. If you notice extra oil than you should have, or if it is coming milky, you most likely have water in the crankcase. The primary seal in the back wasn’t made to keep water out (just oil in).
- Lastly, fluids, such as coolant, power steering, and fuel systems, can also be inquired for water. Sewer the fuel line into a pan after unattached it. Drain the tank and lines if you observe water, and then alternate the fuel filter.
Can a water-damaged engine be fixed? How do you get out of the water?
Car damage happens when your engine hold firm that is running after being flooded out may be repairable or reclaimable. Before removing the cylinders, remove all flake plugs and push them out with a crankshaft balancer to sewer the water. Moreover, pressurized air is blown into the flake plug hole and intake (while bearing safety goggles).
The polluted engine oil should be put into the 2-liter bottle and got with the cap. Over the 2-liter bottle, set a wastebasket upside-down. Make sure the base of the 2-liter bottle has a few dens to permit air to seep in. Permit gravity to work its magic and pull the water downward and out of the cap.
Final words
Throughout this article, we have learned every possible sign of water in engine oil. By notifying these symptoms, we can understand the problem and then will be able to solve it.

Hi, my name is Gabrielle. I have been into Automotive Industry for over 15 years. If you’re anything like me, then building, maintaining and improving your Automotive Industry/Projects is all part of the Automotive experience.
My goal with this blog is to share my experience with and help you discover new and exciting things about Automotive.