Washed the Engine - now won't start!

[brandon22]

Good-day,

I had a oil leak with my Valve cover, and replaced it this weekend. The engine had oil all over it, so I used a engine cleaner and washed it down with a garden hose. I started the car about 5 mintues later and it ran without any problems.

Well today, I try to start the car and nothing happens. The engine turns and turns and I do smell gas. I replace the spark plugs but still nothing.

What did I do (get wet) that won't allow the car to start.

Thanks for any tips

[brandon22]

Forgot to mention our car is a 1988 1.6L

Thanks

[ericdude]

Rules for washing an engine.

1. Don't wash a hot engine; let it cool for at least two hours before hitting it with water,
or you could crack something from temperature shock.

2. Don't wash an engine that's not running. It's a good way to never have the engine run again.

How long did you run the car when you were testing it? I would've taken it on a good long
drive to get the engine hot and evaporate any water the dripped where it shouldn't. If you
just ran it briefly, I could see water sticking around and dripping where it shouldn't.

[RobMilkshakes]

some water could probably get down in the fuse box so you may want to check there

[90 GP]

Remove the distributor cap and use a hair dryer to thoroughly dry it out inside and out.

[brandon22]

After I washed the car, I run it about 5 mintues.

[Ghostyman]

Distributor is probably the culprit. Are the spark plugs firing?

I always wash my engines when they're off and cold. When they're rinsed off, start them and drive for a bit to shake out any water and dry it off.

In this case, your problem will probably solve itself soon but you might as well try drying the dizzy cap.

[brandon22]

The Dis cap was bone dry. Still doesn't start.

How do I tell if I have a spark coming from the dis cap.


Thanks

[Duy-]

check the sparkplugs and their boots. water leaks down there pretty easily

[brandon22]

I replaced the spark plugs.

I give the boots a shot of WD-40, with the dis cap.

[tashirosgt]

But did that fix anything?

[REN69]

Get a shop vac and vacuum any water, also open the hood and leave the car out in the sun... you probably have a water or moisture somewhere.

If not, wait a few days until it dries off on its own and it will probably start.

[brandon22]

I checked all 4 spark plugs and get no spark at all.

I'll let it in the sun today with the hood up and see how it goes.

Thanks

[Donald]

Check the coil wire too. Pull it out of the coil and spray it down with the WD-40 to remove all possible moisture.

[brandon22]

Not sure on where the coil wire is. The dis cap is the type which has the four wires connected to the cap.