SHO won't idle

[Dr.Evil]

I just ashed my engine with foaming engine cleaner and the hose. I let it dry for a while, then decited to take it for a drive. Well, the first stop light I came to the tach went crazy, from 0 - 2000; jumping all over the place. It did it at every stop light, and some times it would even sit on zero and then go back up without me turning the starter. Also, when I got home, I could hear like electrical crackling under the intake area after it would die. I don't get it. It will sometimes be fine, then it just starts going crazy, and it eventually dies.
Has this happened to anyone else? How do I fix it? Thanks.

 

[Jr's Sho]

You definiately have an electrical problem on your hands, maybe your DIS, CID, or CPS. I'm not to knowledgeable with this area, many others have suffered by hosing their engines down and may be able to help you. Sorry about you problem.

 

[projectSHO89]

Park it in the garage.

Raise the hood.

Place a 24 inch box fan face down on the intake manifold. Cushion/pad to protect the finish if you need to.

Turn on fan medium or high speed.

Come back tomorrow and see of it dried out enough to run properly.

This is the risk of washing an engine. The cure is simply drying it out, normally.

Steve

 

[Ishodu]

Please do not wash your enginge with water, you just found out why. Dry it out. Also take off the spark plug boots and see how much water you got in there.

 

[sdpatt]

No! No! No! There is always someone that does this against the best advice of the group and pays the price. Who's next?

 

[Dr.Evil]

Well now I know not to wash the engine with a hose. It dried out and fixed it self, and runs fine now. glad I didnt have to tear into the thing, I have only had it for a week!

 

[shojuan]

Like ishodu suggested, pull the spark plug boots to see how much water got in there. If you have oil in the wells then the water will sink (and if you leave it a while you'll get a brown emulsion). Take some rolled up paper shop towels to mop it up or something to suck it out (the pump assembly from a window cleaner squirt bottle has been suggested before).

Watch out for big puddles, if your SHO doesn't like the hose it won't like puddles.

Rick

 

[sdpatt]

Puddles aren't a problem because they don't force water onto the wiring, connectors and engine components that can be affected by a pressurized stream. As long as the fender liners are in place, this isn't a concern. Drive happy.

 

[snowwind1990]

Arching spark plug wires and some older exposed wiring is no doubt arching as well.....
Be sure and tape the older wiring and inspect the connector clips, grey and black ones. Make sure all the sensors are sitted..
Be careful, by now the Gen I's are becoming brittle, slide a narrow slothead into the slot and presss gently whilst pulling out. Check for corrosion and clean with a fine steel wool and reseat.
Ma Ma M

 

[Dr.Evil]

Well I took off the plug wires and found puddles of OIL instead of water. Probably an ounce or 2 in each hole. Whats the deal with that?

 

[projectSHO89]

Click on SEARCH, use "oil in plug well" and this forum as parameters, please read.

Steve

 

[rangerj]

In addition to Ma Ma M's post, you may want to coat electrical connections with a product called Copper-shield. It coats the connection and protects it from corrosion as well as improving conductivity.

It is available through Eastwood (www.eastwoodcompany.com) at $7.99 for a 1.5 ounce bottle. It is commonly available at auto parts stores as well.

You want to be careful in applying it to multipin connectors because it will conduct electricity. If you get it between connections it could cause problems.

I use a tooth pick, or a good stiff straight pin, to apply it in the "female" side of the connection. Clean the surface before inserting the pin side of the connector.

You may also want to apply dielectric grease to the seal. This helps keep moisture out of the connection, and it will not conduct electricity.

On ground connections it can be applied to the threads of the bolt, like anti-sieze compound, to improve and maintain a good connection.

Ma Ma M is right, these Gen I SHOs electrical connections need some TLC. A couple of months ago I spent three days doing nothing but clean and condition electrical connections on a 90.

Very frequently I have found that an intermitent problem can be traced to a poor electrical connection. rangerj

 

[SVT-FAN]

Wish someone told me that when I had my SHO.It was getting a little dirty under there so I decided to use the hose at the car wash,,,need I say BAD IDEA!!!Now I only wipe down the motor on my truck.Scard if I use water I will have to go though that agian.