Engine Cleaner and Starting Problems!

[Billy P]

I bought some of the CD1 two can cleaning and detailing system. I "cautiously" sprayed the degreaser around the fire wall, select areas of the intake, and the subframe. I let it stand for ten minutes and then I washed it off with water. After two hours, I tried to start the car. It turns over, but won't start. I had to take a trip for two days, so I let it sit in the garage untoushed til I got back so that it could completly dry out. I tried to start it again and it turns, tries to start, sounds flooded and white, gas rich smoke faintly expells from the exhaust. It even made some back fire noises. When I pump the gas, it will crank on it's own for about five seconds, but sounds like it's choking and never gets above 800 rpm (still sounding and acting like its fooded). I haven't run any codes and will try the CEL code read from SHOTimes later. I was hoping someone has had a similar experience and could help me with a solution. This really sucks, because I was supposed to goto Nurbinger this weekend to put the Intrax/Tokico suspension through the "Ringer". headbang

 

[SHO_Driver]

Pull the front spark plug cables off, you'll probably find water inside. There's a big debate on washing the SHO's engine.

 

[Off Road SHO]

The signal wires from the crank and cam position sensors are both wrapped in aluminum foil and a bare drain wire. This is used to keep out stray electromagnetic energy that is generated by ANY wire that is carrying electricity. This could be your problem.

Water or any liguid for that matter, changes the capacitance of wire even if the water is not actually touching the copper part. I used TDR's (time domain reflectometers) in the phone business for years to locate pockets of water in copper cables because the water changes the capacitance of the wire and the reflected signal is distorted a certain way whereever there was water.

A leaking water pump does not affect the CKS, it affects the wire leading from the CKS to the device ( all you electronic whizzes feel free to chime in here) in the PCM that monitors that capacitance.

AND BTW, when the aluminum foil starts to corrode from moisture, it turns to a white powder that soaks up even more water.

Water and electronics do not mix. Do it by hand.

Tom

 

[Billy P]

Thanks for the help, gang. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[sdpatt]

Yet another example of learing the hard way about mixing water and computer controlled engines. doh

 

[Billy P]

Yep! Scott got it right. I am learnin the hard way. I found all of my spark plug wells were full of water. Broke out the wet dry vac and it started right up after I sucked out the water. Man! Those plug covers suck! Anyway! Thanks for the help.