I've been looking around for 3 days on the forum and I haven't found a solution yet so lets see if you guys can figure this out.

So 3 days ago I decided to degrease my engine (never again). I was able to start the car right afterwards, like the can said, to dry off the engine. It idled for about 10 mins and then I turned it off. I went to turn it on 10 mins later and it would not start. My first thought was to check the dizzy and there was moisture inside. since then I have replaced the coil and ICM. I get spark, have fuel and air, compression is good, but it will not start. I went on to look at the fuses related to both electrical and fuel systems and they are all intact. My thoughts are the only thing that changed was that I sprayed down the inside with water, so I don't think the chances of "some coincidence" is the case. The engine does turn and I get chugs now and then, but nothing solid. I was able to get it started once 3 hours after it happened but it was really rough and it would start to die if i gave it too much gas at once.

so thats all I can think of at the moment. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

So you used a cleaner and then sprayed down with water? You need to watch getting the dizzy and cap wet, alternator, fuse box, other than that should be ok. I think you got the dizzy too wet.

Might want to try a new cap and rotor

 

sorry, yeah I did replace the cap and rotor already. I also unplugged everything to let them dry out.

So you mentionded that the alternator could be affected by the water. would it getting wet cause the car to not start?

 

Check the color of your spark. Could be a weak spark.

Also: you say you replaced the coil and ICM but did you replace the dizzy cap? Corrosion on the cap contacts would cause weak spark and non-start.

Also: what shape are your plug wires in?

 

I could probably use new plugs, but everything else is fine. I'm getting a white spark with a spark tester. I've checked and made sure that im getting good contact between wires and plugs.

 

How long has it been since this event? I'm guessing a few days? And sometimes plug wires can SEEM fine but can cause an engine to run REALLY rough or not run at all.

Another thing: are you sure you put your spark plug wires back on in the correct firing order?

 

How old are the wires?

 

the wires are about a year old give or take and im pretty sure they are in the correct order. It wouldnt start before I even touched the wires. I just cant think of why it wont start. I've thought that I might need to check the ECU but I dont know if that could be effected by water in the engine bay.

almost forgot, it happened on this tuesday.

 

Double check firing order. Post results..

Try cranking the engine in the dark while having someone look at the bay. If you see lights, you have bad plug wires.

I forgot to ask- CEL on?

 

have you tried checking for blown fuses?

 

I think you just got the alternator really wet, same thing happend to me once, i just let my car sit in the sun with hood open for a whole day and then it just started up the next day again

 

happened to me once
told by a friend so i sprayed wd40 all over plugs, wires, dizzy ...etc
let it sit for a bit then car starts right up
worked for me...

 

check your wires...you might have hydro locked your motor also...its fairly common when folks try to clean their engines but have your buddy crank the car and see if you can wiggle some of the injector wires..

 

The only way to do that is if he sprayed water on the top of the engine and it seeped past the wires into the head, but man you would need a lot of water and keep spraying on that area. I doubt he could of got water from the air intake esp if was a stock box.

 

I would get another set of wires and try it. I had a brand new crap set of wires autolites go bad without water after 2 years, so could be the wires.