Washing Under Hood

[DEMonte1997]

Never had a problem with this when spraying water under the hood of my Regal, but had some problems with a friend's 1999 Grand Am GT (3400 engine).

I used some degreaser on the dirty parts of the engine, let it soak in and then sprayed it off with the hose. I turned on the car a couple minutes into the process and it started right up-some of the water steamed off as the car warmed up. The remainder of water I blew off with a leaf blower. I used the blower for about 20 minutes to make sure all the water was gone. The car was idling exactly where it usually does, so I thought nothing of it.

Three hours later my friend went to drive her car and it started bucking about 5 minutes into the trip. Eventually, the car stalled out. I met her and tried the car out for myself. The car started totally fine, didn't hesitate until I got on the gas and then it stalled when I let off the gas. Revving the engine in Park gives the same result-lights dim for a second and car stalls. The car also shifts pretty violently from P to D.

I'm guessing some water got in where the boot connects with the plug. Is this more serious than that?

[evlhamstr]

i head you need to make sure the intake is completely sealed or that can hurt it.

[bmanhand]

If you said the lights dimmed, then you probably got water on the battery...or the intake would be a problem as well. Let me know how this one turns out. Try jumpin it and leave the cables on and shift it.

[tenspeed]

You say you rev it, the lights dim and it stalls. Something is causing a large electrical load when you rev it. That is causing your light to dim.

[DEMonte1997]

Stalling problem is fixed BUT I didn't fix the car 100%. It still "bangs" when I put it from Park or Neutral into a gear. That really freaks me out. One of my buddies said that I could have gotten water in one of the tranny vent tubes and that would wreak havoc on the clutches. I'm hoping it's something else... For whatever reason, the car idles much higher now as well. About 1200rpms in Park and 1000 in Drive. When I put it in gear I can hear a buzzing sound... not sure what that is. I drove the car out of the driveway and got a nasty sound.. almost like a grinding. Lord only knows how much damage I did to this thing... I don't understand how I did this by "lightly" spraying some water under the hood on a cold engine. :???:

Man... I have so much trouble with this car. :( :( :( I hope I didn't kill the tranny or something else.

[rixGAphx]

All is not lost.

So stop whining.





:D :D

j/k, I know the feeling and it ain't good.

I doubt there is any permanent damage.

In general, the GA's underhood and underbody wiring is excellently waterproofed.
As it comes from the factory, and when properly worked upon.

But some of those connectors can break, and then water will seep past the internal rubber seals and foul stuff.
Water doesn't seep uphill into spark plug boots, so don't even worry about them.

I *think* you got some water into the Throttle Position Sensor and/or the Idle Air Control module, or the wiring to them.
You may also have gotten some water into the electrical connection on the front of the tranny, which operates first and third gears.

Disconnect battery ground.
Take each connection apart, inspect it, dry it carefully with Q-Tips, and reconnect.

I truly think you'll be fine, especially since the engine was idling fine all during the rinse/dry procedure.

It was only afterward that some water seeped somewhere.
That's far less water in the engine bay than hitting a decent puddle at 45 mph, or the thawing of some of a snow-laden engine bay.

I doubt any water got into the tranny thru the vent, there's a kinda 'snorkel-like' end to prevent that.

Dry everything and report back.
-Rick

[DEMonte1997]

Thanks for the advice Rick. I'll report back when the car is fixed. :)

[DEMonte1997]

Looks like the car fixed itself....

After letting it sit for 2 weeks and then driving it to the garage the car decided operate as normal halfway through the trip... Guess I should have just driven the thing instead of overreacting.

[rixGAphx]

One thing about sparking electricity:
It creates enough heat to self-dry damp components.

And, when a GA has detected faulty codes, it will often clear them and resume normal operation after a few miles or start-stop cycles of the engine.

Glad yer dry and rolling again, thanks for reporting back.

-Rick

[DEMonte1997]

Thanks for the kind advice Rick. :) I really appreciate that about this site. Everyone is helpful and there doesn't seem to be any flaming (unlike other sites I'm on).

Looks like the Grand Am is running well, so now it's time to continue modding the Regal. :cool:

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by DEMonte1997
Thanks for the kind advice Rick. :) I really appreciate that about this site. Everyone is helpful and there doesn't seem to be any flaming (unlike other sites I'm on).
Yah, I participate in a couple of Jeep sites like that,
step one is grow a thick skin. :D :D

And, you gotta switch personalities based on the site. :lol:

Peace,
-Rick