Need help….car doesn’t run like it did prior to washing

TK1299

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Before I begin the story, I am well aware I was an idiot for doing what I did. I have served a two month penance for my poor decision, so there is no need to kick me while I am down.

ok, so two months ago I bought an electric pressure washer and thought it would be a stupid idea to pressure wash the engine bay of my ‘93 Fox. I wrapped the alternator, valve breather, and distributor. I sprayed sparingly in the areas I wrapped, but I really gave it full force around the side and back area.

of course after, I started the car and it was missing and running poorly. I let it dry for a couple of days and drove it. It had a miss, the check engine light would come on intermittently and sometimes it would stall. I replaced the spark plugs and plug wires and the check engine light and miss seemed to clear up.

however, ever since then when I drive the car, it sounds different and seems to fall flat in the mid RPM range. The sound is like a deeper, almost less smooth sound. It feels sluggish and when I get on it I can feel the supercharger kick, but it’s nowhere near what it should be.

I am hoping someone who reads this can point me in the right direction as I am getting desperate at this point. I did hook up the code reader and replaced the IAC sensor as well and did a base idle reset.

Please help!

Love, Todd
 

Black Gold 380R

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Hello Todd,

First off all you didn't do anything stupid or dumb. I pressure wash the engine compartments in my Roush, Cobras and wifes F150 all the time.

It sounds like you got water in something electrical and the water is causing a grounding effect.

I know you said you replaced the plugs. Did you check your distributor? Open it up and make sure the cap and components are completely dry.

Also, on your 93 do you have that electrical connector on the side of your distributor? There may be water in there. Also check the shortning plug near the distributor as well.

I'm not sure what is on your 93, but my 89 GT had these components.

Basically anything that is electrical and is responsible for sending spark to your engine needs to be checked for water. The things I mentioned plus coil, MSD box if you have one, etc.

Good luck brother.

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TK1299

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Hello Todd,

First off all you didn't do anything stupid or dumb. I pressure wash the engine compartments in my Roush, Cobras and wifes F150 all the time.

It sounds like you got water in something electrical and the water is causing a grounding effect.

I know you said you replaced the plugs. Did you check your distributor? Open it up and make sure the cap and components are completely dry.

Also, on your 93 do you have that electrical connector on the side of your distributor? There may be water in there. Also check the shortning plug near the distributor as well.

I'm not sure what is on your 93, but my 89 GT had these components.

Basically anything that is electrical and is responsible for sending spark to your engine needs to be checked for water. The things I mentioned plus coil, MSD box if you have one, etc.

Good luck brother.

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Hey Glen, good to hear from you, how are things? Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention the distributor also had the thick rubber covering on it. I replaced the bottom portion of the distributor cap anyway. I initially thought maybe the water pressure knocked something loose to cause a vacuum leak, but I couldn’t find one. The only real areas where I sprayed, related to spark, was the area where the plugs are. When I replaced the plug wires I did check the ignition area as well. I would think any water would have long since evaporated.
 

Black Gold 380R

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Hey Glen, good to hear from you, how are things? Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention the distributor also had the thick rubber covering on it. I replaced the bottom portion of the distributor cap anyway. I initially thought maybe the water pressure knocked something loose to cause a vacuum leak, but I couldn’t find one. The only real areas where I sprayed, related to spark, was the area where the plugs are. When I replaced the plug wires I did check the ignition area as well. I would think any water would have long since evaporated.
Things are going well Todd. Just trying to get my 65 finished up.

I hear you on thinking things would dry up, but some times water gets in areas and doesn't dry out for whatever reason.

I pressure washed my 89GT when the engine was hot and some how the effect created steam inside my distributor cover and caused a similar problem you're having.

So, I realize you think it would dry up, but sometimes it just doesn't.

Which is why I say to look inside everything. Even with the rubber boot on your distributor it could be possible water got in there some how like in my case.

I had an MSD box mounted near the bottom of my engine bay. It rained and my car started to have a miss. Some how water got inside the box and wouldn't dry up.

I ended up trading my 89 for my Roush and never fixed it.

Just throwing ideas out based on some issues I had with my 89 brother.

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ford fanatic

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I learned my lesson back in 89' when I pressure washed the engine bay of my 86' 5.0 coupe. It dried up in a day and the miss I created went away. 2 months sounds excessive for water to dry up, but anything is possible. I wish I could point you in a direction...Good luck.
 

CobraBob

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Glenn's suggestions are excellent. Basically, check every electrical related component in the engine bay, including the battery terminals. It sounds like there is an electrical component that you missed checking. Above all, thoroughly check the distributor. It's too bad you don't have a spare/old distributor to swap with to see if the issue goes away.
 

BlksvtCobra01

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Todd do you still have the TFI module? I know these are known for going bad. I think @Bdubbs just replaced his a while back and his car was acting kinda as you describe. Did the MAF get wet? Only other thing I could think of like Glenn mentioned is to pull connectors and see if you have any green in them which would indicate water intrusion.


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Bdubbs

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I didn't have a bad tfi module. Thought I might have.

I'd check everything like mentioned. Also check the TPS sensor.

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MG0h3

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That’s where I’d start Todd; take the TFI module off the distributor and let it air dry.

Inspect the connections there and brush them if there is any corrosion


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TK1299

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Glenn's suggestions are excellent. Basically, check every electrical related component in the engine bay, including the battery terminals.
I’m going to try and go through everything again and see what I missed

Todd do you still have the TFI module?
yes, it’s a brand new distributor I installed with the new motor
 

Bdubbs

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Any update?

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TK1299

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Any update?

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I removed the entire distributor. Idk if the oil on the gear was more “watery” than it should have been. I wiped it down and put it back in. I also removed the TFI module, it did not appear there was any corrosion.
i put it all back in and set the timing and reset the idle. I drove it for a little, and it seemed to run well, but I didn’t lay into it because the roads were somewhat wet and it was about to rain again when I had it out. This weekend, if the rain f’s off for a bit I will drive it to the gym and see how she feels.

thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll update after the next drive. The weather and work have gotten in the way.
 

MG0h3

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Pull the spout and make sure that’s dry. Never know. Timing could be stuck at base


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gimmie11s

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The way you describe the performance falling flat and a change in the sound of the exhaust indicates a change ignition timing.

I don’t know how timing is controlled on these cars (msd box, distributor?) but check to ensure whatever device controls your timing is not bad from the wash job.


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