This was probably the most stupid thing I've ever done. In any case, I need everyone's help please!

I used Gunk Engine cleaner on my 96 Civic LX (5 speed manual, sedan). I was careful not to get the distributor and to avoid the spark plug area. However, I didn't cover it up, so it's possible that either Gunk or water (when rinsing off) touched those areas.

When I drove it after rinsing it down, there was a slight hesitation in 2nd gear, from 2-4k rpms. Today when I drove it again, the problem grew worse - now it hesitates in nearly every gear when I give the car a decent amount of throttle.

When it stutters / hesitates, I give it more throttle (gas) to keep the engine alive (it feels like its going to die). Although I push more on the gas, the car doesn't accelerate more, then sometimes I hear a popping noise coming out of the back of my exhaust. Sometimes, it stays that way until I release the throttle and stop the car, or it just surges forward.

I didn't pull the spark plugs, but I did look into each spark plug hole and saw there was no water in there. Just for safe measure though, I blew some air into each hole and put the plug wires back in. I'm not really sure what else to check.

What could the problem be? I don't have anyone around that I can borrow a distributor from to isolate the problem. Searching through some old posts here, it seems that stuttering / hesitation is a result of misfiring, which is caused either by no compression, ignition, or fuel.

Please help!

Thank you in advance,
-Brian.

 

take off distrubitor cap and dry off all the water you most likely got in there, my car did the same thing one day when my external coil wire got loose, car idled but then just poped and bogged when I gave it gas

 

well you could have a open wire somewhere in the harness which might cause a short somewhere in the system. BTW yeah check the dizzy and all it's internal parts. check and clean all the wiring harness connectors too.

 

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think drying all the water out of there will restore it back to how it was before the engine cleaning? Or is there something damaged by the short?

I'll have to try it out tomorrow.

Thanks again,
-Brian.

 

Any other suggestions?

 

i would say that it is most likely water so just dry it out and hopefully thats it ive had the same problem before and i just dryed it out and it was fine good luck

 

A buddy of mine did the exact same thing you did. Pull off the spark pug boots with the car off of course and check to see if you got any water in there. If boots are wet you will need to dry the cylinders leading to the spark plugs obviously and maybe even replace them, be careful not to electrocute yourself as my buddy did.
Good Luck

 

Opened the distributor, there was some moisture inside. Cleaned and dried it and now the car seems to run ok. I'll drive it over the next few days and hope it continues.

Thanks everyone!
-Brian.