Why woulpouring water on engine block help start a car?

Question

A co-worker pours water on his car's engine every afternoon to get his car to start.

Answer 1

That's ridiculous. Its a great way to short out your electrical system and encourage rust on things like the exhaust manifolds and possibly even the engine block itself.



Maybe he is pouring water in the battery. That could be due to a crack in the battery of some sort, causing it to leak water and dry out and not generate sufficient amperage to get the car started.

Answer 2

Although I have never heard of pouring water directly on an engine to help it start, I have heard of pouring water on the metal fuel lines and fuel pump to cool the fuel. Typically on a very hot day the fuel inside the fuel line can boil. Water cools it so it will start. This would most likely be on an older car or truck with a carburator