Stalled in floodwater: do not crank the engine
Why one more start can wreck an engine, and how we recover a bike from water.
What to do right now
- 1
Stop and switch off the engine immediately. If water got into the air intake, trying to restart can bend internal parts. This is called hydrolock.
- 2
Do not press the starter again. One extra attempt is often the difference between drying the bike and rebuilding the engine.
- 3
Move to higher ground if you can. Walk the bike along the edge of the road. Do not push through deep or fast-moving water.
- 4
Turn the fuel tap off and take out the key. This stops anyone from trying to start it.
- 5
Leave an electric scooter switched off. Do not plug it in until a technician has checked it.
- 6
Photograph the water level. It may help with an insurance claim.
How we help
Heavy rain in Bangalore can turn an underpass or a low junction into a pool within minutes. A bike that rides in and stalls has often taken water into the exhaust or the air intake.
The most important thing to know is simple: do not try to restart it. One more attempt is what turns a stall into engine damage.
We tow stalled bikes from flooded roads once there is a safe place to load. If the road is under deep water, we may ask you to move the bike to a drier spot first, or to wait for the water to drop. We tell you what is realistic rather than promise a time.
Water also changes our route. We avoid underpasses and low sections where we can, which can make the approach longer in heavy rain.
Once the bike is on the truck, it goes to a garage that can drain the oil, check the air box and dry the electrics. Do not try to start it first.
A flooded petrol bike goes on our bike towing service, and a flooded electric scooter needs scooty and EV towing with extra care for the battery. Please do not ask for a jump-start on a flooded bike: roadside assistance is for punctures, flat batteries and empty tanks, not water damage.
What to tell us when you call
- How deep the water is around the bike
- Where the nearest dry ground is
- Whether the engine stalled by itself or you tried to restart it
- Petrol or electric
- Where you want it taken
What not to do
- Do not crank the engine to see if it still works. Water in the cylinder does not compress, and the engine can break.
- Do not ride through water that reaches the engine. If it is above the bottom of the engine, turn around.
- Do not charge an electric scooter that was submerged. Wait for a technician to check the battery and the charging port.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start the bike again once it dries?
Not safely. Water in the engine or the air box can damage it when it is cranked. Have a mechanic drain and check it first.
What if the water is too deep for the truck?
We will tell you the options: wait for the level to drop, move the bike by hand to higher ground, or arrange a pickup from the nearest dry road.
Does insurance cover flood damage?
That depends on your policy. Comprehensive cover sometimes includes it, but engine damage from restarting can be excluded. Check with your insurer and keep your photos.
How long should the bike stay unstarted?
Until a mechanic has checked it. Even after the road is dry, the engine can still hold water.
Related help
Stuck right now?
Tell us where you are and what the bike is doing. You get an honest estimate before the truck leaves.
Find RS Towing Service on Google Maps
Our base is in RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th Phase. We are open 24 hours, every day.
5, RBI Layout Main Rd, RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560078Open in Google Maps