Stupid Question....

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So the dealer I bought from ended up replacing a couple coil packs because their detailer hosed down the engine bay. I guess this is a common problem and I've seen it mentioned on here to not wash the engine bay down.

So how do you guys approach cleaning everything up? I'm from the school of spraying it with a de-greaser and then hosing everything down but definitely don't want to end up with costly repairs.

 

[Canadian Expy]

Don't clean the engine bay..


or you can take the time after to pull and dry all coils and spark plug holes with a shop vac

 

[FordandPolaris]

I would agree with Canadian. Washing older engines where the plugs were not on top is not usually a problem. These tend to get water pooled down in the plug wells and cause a short/misfire. My engine compartment is caked in mud cause I never wanted to risk washing it haha.

 

[KWT2000]

+3 on dont wash the engine bay... on that note pay a detailing shop most do it right

 

[ag71953]

Washed mine
Used compressed air and a nice hot day.... No misfire

 

[ag71953]

By the way, its a 1997 with 238xxx miles
Was used for police service here in small town Arkansas with lotsa dirt roads.
Looks pretty decent cleaned up

Oh yeah, I detail cars for a living, Lol

 

[ExplorerTom]

So....... Let's say you washed your engine. And then let's say you have a misfire. Shouldn't the problem eventually go away once the water dries up?

My ScanGauge says I have 3 codes but only displays the first one: P0305. #5 misfire. I pulled the coil and it wasn't wet. I've seen misfire caused by pooling water and in this case no moisture could be seen. Pulled the plug- it's worn pretty bad but I reinstalled it because I don't have new plugs yet. I blew out the plug well, the coil plug and connector and reinstalled it. Still runs rough. P0305 and 2 others again (but only displays the first). This time I swap 1 and 5. Still runs rough but maybe not quite as bad. No codes.

And just to be sure, the cylinders are numbered starting on the front passenger side of the motor going back with 4 at the passenger side firewall and then 5 is on the front of the driver side with 8 at the driver firewall?

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

So....... Let's say you washed your engine. And then let's say you have a misfire. Shouldn't the problem eventually go away once the water dries up?

My ScanGauge says I have 3 codes but only displays the first one: P0305. #5 misfire. I pulled the coil and it wasn't wet. I've seen misfire caused by pooling water and in this case no moisture could be seen. Pulled the plug- it's worn pretty bad but I reinstalled it because I don't have new plugs yet. I blew out the plug well, the coil plug and connector and reinstalled it. Still runs rough. P0305 and 2 others again (but only displays the first). This time I swap 1 and 5. Still runs rough but maybe not quite as bad. No codes.

And just to be sure, the cylinders are numbered starting on the front passenger side of the motor going back with 4 at the passenger side firewall and then 5 is on the front of the driver side with 8 at the driver firewall?

The water will cause corrosion on the plug wire connection. Always use dialectic grease. You are correct with your cylinder number locations.

 

[Bedrck47]

You may also here the terms Bank 1 and Bank 2 Bank 1 is the side with the number 1 plug or also the Passenger side