80 series is not running correctly after washing (27 Viewers)

[jakebarlow123]

Hey everyone, I’m having an issue with my 80 series Land Cruiser (1FZ engine) after pressure washing the engine bay. It wouldn’t start for a long time after washing, and now when I do start it:

• The engine runs really rough and often stalls if I give it gas.
• It usually idles better after warming up
• When driving gently on the throttle, the revs go up to around 3000 RPM or sometimes more.
• But if I’m quick on the throttle, it bogs out immediately

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

• Cleaned the distributor and made sure all connections are tight and correct.
• Made sure the MAF sensor is dry and plugged in properly.
• Checked all engine fuses — they’re good.
• Tested all spark plug leads at the distributor by pulling them off one at a time to check for sparks. They all spark, but one lead gave me a much stronger electric shock than the others, so I suspect it might be leaking voltage or have damaged insulation.
• Made sure all of the grounds are properly connected
• Taking it for a 30 minute drive but still didn’t get better

I think this faulty spark lead or coil pack wire might be causing misfires, leading to the rough running and stalling.

Has anyone experienced something like this or know how I can test or fix it? Appreciate any advice, thanks

 

[Marvelicious]

Very different rig, but I had a phantom issue on a Scion TC where if I hit large puddles in heavy rain or anything else that sent water into the engine bay, one or more of the COP coil packs would misfire and completely die in short order. I solved the issue with new connectors and liberal application of dielectric grease.

My other thought is to check the intake hose from air cleaner to intake manifold. They're known to crack anyway, and using a pressure washer may have put some holes in it that you aren't aware of. It can be hard to tell if it's cracked in the creases of the corrugation. The easiest way to spot leaks is with a smoke tester.

The over-arcing lesson here is to keep the pressure washer out of the engine bay. There are too many ways to force water into places it doesn't belong, and the pressures are high enough to damage thirty year old brittle plastic. I've been known to use mild degreaser and a garden hose, kept low and away from electrical connectors, but never a pressure washer.

 

[White Stripe]

You have to unplug everything electrical connector, blow it out and let it dry out.

 

[robnicko]

have you taken the plastic covers off the top of the head and checked for water in the spark plug tubes? It sounds like there may be water in there

+1 on what Marvelicious said about pressure washers as well, garden hose only I use and for small cleanups on metal parts i just use brake cleaner as it evaporates after a few minutes as well

 

[sterinn]

In my experience with other mechanical distribution, it was due to water that made it's way into the distributor cap.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

have you taken the plastic covers off the top of the head and checked for water in the spark plug tubes? It sounds like there may be water in there

This

 

[jakebarlow123]

In my experience with other mechanical distribution, it was due to water that made it's way into the distributor cap.

I’ve taken it apart and cleaned it out and it did nothing

 

[jakebarlow123]

have you taken the plastic covers off the top of the head and checked for water in the spark plug tubes? It sounds like there may be water in there

+1 on what Marvelicious said about pressure washers as well, garden hose only I use and for small cleanups on metal parts i just use brake cleaner as it evaporates after a few minutes as well

I haven’t taken them all off, but I took three of them off, and they all seem to be dry

 

[jakebarlow123]

You have to unplug everything electrical connector, blow it out and let it dry out.

Even after a couple of days drying ?