Acceleration cuts after washing engine at carwash

[Timpanogos Slim]

Yeah, I almost certainly have water somewhere there shouldn't be water. The question is, where?

Engine was just too greasy so i took it to the nearest carwash. Had the typical mess all around the power steering reservoir, etc. Got stuff pretty clean. Yes, I used the high pressure.

Idled a little rough at first but smoothed out.

But now it won't rev over about 2000. It actually cuts hard if i try to accelerate past that. Even in neutral or park.

I took the other vehicle to work and hope that it'll dry out - hot day today.

I know i should make sure there's no water in the dizzy, but what else should i look at?

 

[Bardiya]

I'd check for water in the spark plug holes

 

[Oscar Witte]

I would look inside the plug holes and unplug and let all the major connectors dry out

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I'd check for water in the spark plug holes

People say that but i can't fathom how that is even possible on a 1fz-fe?

The wires have a big rubber boot that is pretty snug inside the spark plug well. And then all that is under covers.

 

[Bardiya]

People say that but i can't fathom how that is even possible on a 1fz-fe?

The wires have a big rubber boot that is pretty snug inside the spark plug well. And then all that is under covers.

I don't know how it happens but it has happened to me before.

 

[Oscar Witte]

People say that but i can't fathom how that is even possible on a 1fz-fe?

The wires have a big rubber boot that is pretty snug inside the spark plug well. And then all that is under covers.

All I can say is that it's happened to me haha...

 

[skyline223]

Exact same thing happened to me - 1FZ....

It will solve itself in time!

 

[landcruising]

Happened to me as well, you will need to replace the dried up and cracked boots on the valve cover.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Well, it's gonna be like 95 degrees today in utah, so if it still won't rev when i get home i guess i will fire up the air compressor so i can blow things out and start removing covers and whatnot

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Happened to me as well, you will need to replace the dried up and cracked boots on the valve cover.

I have about 8000 miles on the wire set. I'd be shocked if they are dried up and cracked.

 

[Summiteer]

I would think it's more likely there's water in the distributer or the wires at the dizzy than in the spark plugs.....

 

[math]

I would think it's more likely there's water in the distributer or the wires at the dizzy than in the spark plugs.....

Likewise. Dry the distributor out!

 

[retrofive]

All I can say is that it's happened to me haha...

Yep, seen it first hand. Dizzy is the easiest spot, but seen the plugs get the water treatment as well...

 

[inkpot]

The dizzy has 3 vent holes in the base with the highest one nearly at 12 o'clock high. Makes it real easy to get water in there. ALSO, the TPS plug does NOT have a weather seal on it, so it too is easy to collect water in. Blow it out lightly and silicone grease it well. John

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

93f and 14% humidity, maybe it'll be dry when i get home. I left the hood up.

Thanks all. I did not know that the TPS isn't sealed.

 

[Rifleman]

I have about 8000 miles on the wire set. I'd be shocked if they are dried up and cracked.

What the other member was talking about were the seals on the valve cover that work along with the spark plug boots to keep water out. In order to change those seals you'll need to get a valve cover gasket kit, it will come with the valve cover gasket along with 6 seals for the spark plug tube holes.

 

[sea bass]

You probably have water in your TPS it will cut out or short out when you get water in there

 

[Newps]

This used to happen to my 1994 FZJ 80, until I figured it out. Disconnect the grey electrical plug on top of the engine block. It's right past the spark plug wires about 8" inches in. Use WD or compressed air and blow out the water inside the connector ends. It only takes a small amount of water getting past the wire seals to cause this. I would just cover this connector with a plastic bag when I would spray down the engine bay.

 

[bloc]

My 94 DOES have a rubber weather seal in the TPS connector. It is the same color as the plug and buried pretty far up there, so easy to miss, but I just double checked and it's definitely in there.

If you used a pressure washer the fact that these plugs have weather seals is less relevant. The TPS is a good example of one oriented in a way that if you blast it for a while water can still get through the holes for the lock tab and directly pointed at the weather seal... and leak.

Other stuff I'd look at:
remove dist cap
check plug attached to distributor

No Check Engine Light?

In order to change those seals you'll need to get a valve cover gasket kit, it will come with the valve cover gasket along with 6 seals for the spark plug tube holes.

Those particular seals are installed in a way to not have anything to do with water getting into the spark plug tubes. They seal the outside-top of the tube to the bottom of the valve cover, sealing a gap that would exist going to the valvetrain. So they really do more to keep dirt/water out of the crank case, and oil IN the valvetrain (out of the spark plug tubes), than they have to do with keeping water out of the tubes.

If any seals are allowing water into the spark plug tubes it's the cap/boot on the plug wires

 

[Cruzerman]

I washed / degreased my engine a few weeks ago. When complete, the thing ran rough. I was barely able to back it into the garage. I popped the hood and after work the next day, it ran just fine. I'd just let it dry on its own. That is unless its your daily driver. In that case, your screwed