GrandPrix34 Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 everytime i wash my engine bay, it looks sweet as hell but my damn alternator always gets it somehow! :x I've put bags over the necessary and this time around, after letting the car sit for like 20 min to dry, i started the car and the VOLTS shot up to 18 and the car was running super super rich on my A/F Meter. Aside of that, the engine was moving badly and it sounded like the cams were bouncing around or something. I'm thinking maybe it wasnt the cams or anything internal for that matter, but rather the alternator fucking up. Am i right? or did some water get inside the engine somehow? by the way, i wrote another thread on my car sounding like a v8 or cammed tunned car since one of my plug wires took a shit. Maybe that could be it too no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurboSedan Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 i never cover anything when i powerwash my 3.1, and it's never had a problem. maybe your timing belt got wet and slipped? i really don't know? good luck tho. joshua Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian89gp Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 Check the spark plug holes for water, even a zero pressure garden hose can fill those up and cause misfiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandPrix34 Posted July 4, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 well it is misfiring and water did get into the holes :shock: so wat happens now? My car is misfiring like a muther! I cant even drive it on the high way now cuz it is chuggling and hesititating badly! Grr..The sound coming from the muffler is bad too! wat can i do to alievate the situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi133 Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 Turn your car upsidown and pour the water out. Stop powerwashing it, rags work. Either you need to drive it and get the water burned off, or you have f'ed something with an electrical short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GTP Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 I have never shot a hose into my engine compartment, ever! Over the years I have owned everything from a 69 Lemans to a 80 chevette and all kinds inbetween. With a 3.4 and the alt on the bottom of the engine I dont even go through puddles. I'm sure the engine compartment is looking great after the wash but is it worth the hassle of having the car run like scheit? I hand wipe the dirt out to keep it clean, its the hard way and takes awhile but i dont have a scheitty running car after. ==95GTP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slade901 Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 To those that have not checked or replaced their rear valve cover gasket, you might have to think twice on power washing your engine. Most rear vavle cover gaskets on older cars have either cracked or the gasket has softened and would allow water to go in and messed up your engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian89gp Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 Get the water out of there pronto. You may also have to replace the spark plug wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandPrix34 Posted July 4, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 well how can i get the water out of there? yesterday i HAD to drive to work cuz i had n o ride and it was hell cuz construction on the highway has commenced so i literally had to ride on the street next to the highway the whole several miles....me and along some hundred other peeps!!! The car temp rose to a litle above the middle mark on the temp gauge *200+ i think*, so im thinking maybe that could of burned off the water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Stop powerwashing it, rags work. Hogwash! For the three cars I've driven / owned, you can clean them off. You can P.W. the motor, just don't be dork and try to kill your electrical system. - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Stop powerwashing it, rags work. Hogwash! For the three cars I've driven / owned, you can clean them off. You can P.W. the motor, just don't be dork and try to kill your electrical system. - Erik damn well said. but i guess its up to the owner in the end. would it work for me to take a garden hose with a spray nozzle and spray everything in my engine? or would i just play it safe and cover up the alternator and disconnect the negative battery terminal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 damn well said. but i guess its up to the owner in the end. would it work for me to take a garden hose with a spray nozzle and spray everything in my engine? or would i just play it safe and cover up the alternator and disconnect the negative battery terminal? Not even, ...the only major thing you want to aviod soaking is the ignition coils. You can wash the engine bay with the alternator installed; pulling it off will gain access to more of the engine however. Here's what I've done personally: 1988 2.8L MPFI - * powerwashed with car off * restarted with no problems note: make sure to watch sliping serp belt 1989 2.8L MPFI - * rinsed with garden hose * powerwashed with car off * restarted with hesitation one time note: had a bad plug wire that would arc to block, replaced wires, no arcing afterwards 1992 3.4L DOHC - * rinsed with Simple Green * powerwashed with car off * restated great, but had sqeaking pulleys after first time note: old serp belt - replaced, no squeaks; no water in spark plug holes - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 k this may sound stupid but i havent done much with these 3.1's, i know the ignition coils on B&S engine are right next to the flywheel, where are they on my engine and what do they look like? so i can cover them up of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandPrix34 Posted July 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 damn well said. but i guess its up to the owner in the end. would it work for me to take a garden hose with a spray nozzle and spray everything in my engine? or would i just play it safe and cover up the alternator and disconnect the negative battery terminal? Not even, ...the only major thing you want to aviod soaking is the ignition coils. You can wash the engine bay with the alternator installed; pulling it off will gain access to more of the engine however. Here's what I've done personally: 1989 2.8L MPFI - * rinsed with garden hose * powerwashed with car off * restarted with hesitation one time note: had a bad plug wire that would arc to block, replaced wires, no arcing afterwards - Erik THANK YOU! Problem solved! The damn wire is arcing to damn block. Before the powerwash i had to open up the damn boot and recrimp the metal thing to the wire. Well the car is still misfiring like a mofo, but the wires get here on tuesday so i got 3 friking days of hell!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 k this may sound stupid but i havent done much with these 3.1's, i know the ignition coils on B&S engine are right next to the flywheel, where are they on my engine and what do they look like? so i can cover them up of course On you 3.1L, they be under the front exhaust manifold. Follow you spark plug wires, and you'll find them. Each coil connect to two wires and the coil are attached to a plate, called the ignition module. THANK YOU! Problem solved! The damn wire is arcing to damn block. Before the powerwash i had to open up the damn boot and recrimp the metal thing to the wire. Well the car is still misfiring like a mofo, but the wires get here on tuesday so i got 3 friking days of hell!! Excellent that you found the problem! Glad to help out. It's what we're here for right? Let us know how it is after getting the new wires. - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 mission accomplished. it got most of the grease and shit off where i didnt getit off before, but its not as shiny as when i did it last time, so ill have to go over the parts with a rag that need to be shinyier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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