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How do you fix a hydrolocked car?
I got stuck on a partially flooded road, and I think my car’s engine may be hydrolocked. How can I fix it?
Payton Ternus · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Flooded roads are a menace to cars—I’m glad you were able to get out.
You will need to have a mechanic take a look if there is major damage, but in minor cases you may be able to fix it yourself if you are comfortable with performing
car maintenance
.Your car’s engine can become hydrolocked if too much water enters it. This will cause the pistons to stop moving, and you’ll hear some knocking or crashing sounds for a little while before the engine shuts down.
Follow these steps to fix a hydrolocked engine:
- Remove spark plugs from the engine
- Start the car and rev the engine while the car is in park
- Watch for water coming out of the cylinders
- Replace the spark plugs with new ones
- Wipe down the cylinder walls to get rid of excess moisture
If the damage is severe, you may be better off salvaging what you can and replacing the rest of the engine. Fixing a hydrolocked engine can cost anywhere from $3,000-$8,000.
Repairs can be expensive, but your car insurance doesn’t have to be. Let
Jerry
find you the right policy for your needs with the best savings. Jerry will get you signed up for your new policy and can even help you cancel your existing one.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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