Water injection device of an internal combustion engine, and method for operating a water injection device of said type

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a water injection device, including:
• a water tank configured to store water;
• a conveying element configured to convey the water, the conveying element connected to the water tank;
• at least one water injector configured to inject water, the at least one water injector connected to the conveying element;
• a pressure sensor arranged in a line region between the conveying element and the at least one water injector;
• and
• a control unit configured, based on pressure data of the pressure sensor, to determine a formation of steam in the line region when the at least one water injector is closed and the conveying element is switched off.

A method for operating a water injection device of an internal combustion engine, including:

• determining, based on pressure data of a pressure sensor, formation of steam in a line region in a case of a closed water injector and a switched off conveying element, wherein:
• the conveying element is configured to convey the water,
• the water injector is configured to inject water,
• the water injector is connected to the conveying element, and
• the pressure sensor is arranged in the line region between the conveying element and the water injector.