If your motorbike is submerged in water and breaks down, what should you do to avoid further damage and financial loss?

The heavy rain early this morning (August 26th), caused by Typhoon Kajiki (Typhoon No. 5), has resulted in severe flooding on many streets in Hanoi. Numerous motorbikes and scooters were affected, breaking down in the floodwaters.

When forced to drive through flooded areas, vehicle breakdowns are almost inevitable. Therefore, equipping yourself with the right knowledge and handling principles will help drivers minimize damage and find appropriate solutions if they unfortunately encounter such a situation.

3 main reasons why a car stalls.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, the owner of a motorcycle repair shop in Hanoi, when motorcycles enter flooded areas, many risks of damage can occur, both to the engine and electrical system, and the damage can be long-lasting if not handled properly.

According to Mr. Nam, there are three main reasons why a car stalls when driving through flooded areas: Water gets into the spark plugs, preventing them from igniting; water enters the air intake and flows down to the carburetor, mixing with the gasoline and preventing the car from starting; and water enters the exhaust pipe, blocking the exhaust passage and even getting back into the engine.

"Given the above causes, depending on the severity, different consequences can result. Mild cases may render your car unusable for a period, while severe cases can cause engine damage with repair costs reaching millions of dong," Mr. Nam said.

How can I avoid my car stalling when driving through flooded roads?

Experts always advise "prevention is better than cure," meaning that if possible, one should avoid crossing deeply flooded areas to prevent unnecessary risks to both people and vehicles. However, in many cases, people are forced to travel through deep floodwaters or fail to fully assess the extent of the flooding, leading to situations where turning back is impossible.

To minimize the risks associated with driving through flooded areas, experts offer the following advice:

- Estimate and minimize travel into flooded areas:When you see a flooded road, observe and estimate the depth before deciding to drive through it. Also, check if other vehicles similar to yours can navigate those flooded sections of road.

Experience shows that, with motorcycles, it's best to avoid driving through areas where the water level is close to the exhaust pipe or halfway up the wheel. Driving through such deep water can easily cause water to enter the exhaust pipe, leading to blockages and engine failure.

- Maintain a steady throttle, keep it in a low gear:If you must cross a flooded section of road, observe the surroundings and choose the highest point to travel on, usually in the middle of the road. Avoid driving close to the edge of the road, as this area is often more deeply flooded and poses a risk from manholes or drainage openings.

If you're riding a manual transmission motorcycle, use a low gear (gear 1 or 2) to slowly navigate through the flooded area. For scooters, try to maintain a steady throttle and consider using the brakes, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration.

- Don't hesitate to get off and help with your bike:If you find it difficult to get your vehicle through the deep water, don't hesitate to get out, turn off the engine, and push it through. Trying to push through could cause your vehicle to stall, requiring significant time and money to repair. If possible, cover the exhaust pipe with plastic wrap or stuff it with rags to prevent water from entering.

After passing through the flooded area, you shouldn't start the car immediately. Instead, find a suitable spot to start the engine and rev the throttle to allow all the water in the exhaust pipe to drain out. Only when the engine sound is "clear" should you get in the car and continue driving.

What should you do if your car breaks down?

If your vehicle unfortunately breaks down in a flooded area, stay calm to minimize further damage. Immediately turn off the engine and push the vehicle to a dry location to allow the water to drain from the vehicle's components. Do not attempt to restart the engine immediately, as water may have already entered the engine, causing damage to the engine and carburetor system.

If you've tried restarting your car 2-3 times without success, you shouldn't try again. Your car may have a problem related to one of the three causes mentioned above, and each requires a different solution.

If your spark plugs get wet (this is the simplest cause), preventing them from igniting, you can remove them using the tools provided by the manufacturer, clean and dry them with a dry cloth, then reinstall them and try starting the engine again.

Secondly, if water gets into the carburetor, you need to turn off the fuel supply and drain all the old fuel remaining in the carburetor, then turn the fuel back on. You may need to repeat this 1-2 more times until all the water is gone and the engine starts. At this point, you will need to pull the choke lever to make starting easier.

If water has entered the engine, you will definitely need to call a professional mechanic to drain all the oil from the car, then clean the engine compartment and replace the oil. It's possible your car might have 2 or 3 problems at the same time, requiring a considerable amount of time to fix.

If you're not very knowledgeable about cars, you can take it to a nearby repair shop for inspection and repair. However, you need to be cautious to avoid being overcharged or having the problem misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary expenses.

Typically, cleaning spark plugs costs around 10,000-20,000 VND. Replacing spark plugs, for common vehicle models, costs between 60,000-100,000 VND depending on the manufacturer. For more serious problems requiring carburetor cleaning, oil changes, or replacement of other parts, the cost can range from several hundred thousand to over a million VND.

Additionally, to ensure the vehicle runs smoothly and reliably in the long term, you should have a mechanic inspect all the engine components, and clean and dry the braking system and electrical circuits to ensure safety and smooth operation.