Long read, but i have no idea what to do.
About 6 months ago, one day I decided to wash my engine bay. Car ran fine for 2 days afterwards, but then started to act strange. My EGT's were way up although my A/F was basically normal, which led me to believe the timing was being retarded. About 1-3krpm, the engine ran great, but 3k+ it ran VERY sluggish and as I mentioned, the EGT's climed very fast.
I tried a different 5spd ECU, distributor, knock sensor, alternator, bypassed my FMIC, tried a different MAFS, different injectors, knock sensor, everything, but nothing seemed to do anything. I brought it to several mechanics and they just scratched their heads.
Then one day, about 2 months after the initial weirdness I took the car for a ride and it was magically fixed! Never had a problem again.
About 3 days ago, I washed the undercarriage of my car. Car ran perfectly normal, until this morning it started doing the exact same crap again!!!
I have no idea what to do, nor does anyone else I've talked to.
If you have any ideas, i'd appreciate it.
93 KAGreddy E-mange controlling MAFS voltage only (no iginiton stuff)370cc injectorst3/t4FMIC
Put your brains together. I need help
Re: Put your brains together. I need help (SloS13)
If you have the ka24de engine with the hemi head, in other words you have the spark wires going in through the top of the engine, then pull your wires and make sure there is no moisture in the holes. I tried doing the same thing to my engine and it ran like crap. Make sure that you leave the spark plug holes exposed with hood up so that it can dry out the moisture. This could be your problem.
-
PMan_S13
- Posts: 575
- Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2002 6:48 am
- Car: Building car -> breaking car -> fixing car -> start over
Well if it is in fact related to the washing of the engine bay it pretty much has to be something electrical.
Have you tried just a simple code check on the ecu? Maybe the simplest route is the right one.
I've had my own problems like this before. It always ended up being a loose cable or exposed connection someplace.
I'd suggest looking at the following parts from my experience...
-Coil. Make sure it isn't loose or has free standing water on it somewhere. My car wouldn't run once and it turned out the coil somehow got water on it.
-Check the grounds. Especially the one at the back of the motor. If it got water on it, it could rust and then not make a good connection. This will make the car run like crap.. but usually only noticable at idle. But I'd check it anyway.
-Check all the spark plug wires. Mine have always been notorious for not seating correctly and it would miss horribly. I don't know if this is a flaw in how ka24 wires are designed, or if I lack the technical skill required to install the freakin things correctly.
If that doesn't help I would really just give the motor a good look over of anything electrical in nature.
Oh, and one more thing.. I don't know if I'd wash around the undercarriage anymore =) If you are worried about rusting you can just get some good axel grease or the like and smear it on everything underthere. My grandpas all original '67 mustang had this done when he bought it and the stuff is still on there and the frame is perfect. No rust or complaints. I did this to mine as well. Works like a charm.
Good luck, and hopefully if it is the same problem, it will at least go away eventually if you are unsuccessful in locating it's origin.
Have you tried just a simple code check on the ecu? Maybe the simplest route is the right one.
I've had my own problems like this before. It always ended up being a loose cable or exposed connection someplace.
I'd suggest looking at the following parts from my experience...
-Coil. Make sure it isn't loose or has free standing water on it somewhere. My car wouldn't run once and it turned out the coil somehow got water on it.
-Check the grounds. Especially the one at the back of the motor. If it got water on it, it could rust and then not make a good connection. This will make the car run like crap.. but usually only noticable at idle. But I'd check it anyway.
-Check all the spark plug wires. Mine have always been notorious for not seating correctly and it would miss horribly. I don't know if this is a flaw in how ka24 wires are designed, or if I lack the technical skill required to install the freakin things correctly.
If that doesn't help I would really just give the motor a good look over of anything electrical in nature.
Oh, and one more thing.. I don't know if I'd wash around the undercarriage anymore =) If you are worried about rusting you can just get some good axel grease or the like and smear it on everything underthere. My grandpas all original '67 mustang had this done when he bought it and the stuff is still on there and the frame is perfect. No rust or complaints. I did this to mine as well. Works like a charm.
Good luck, and hopefully if it is the same problem, it will at least go away eventually if you are unsuccessful in locating it's origin.