No Start After Washing Engine

[thepremier]

I am seeming to have a minor problem and hopefully you guys can help me out.

Today I washed the gunk from my engine, and eveyrthing was fine after I had sprayed the degreaser on the engine and power washed it off. Next I started the engine and let it run on idle to get the engine dry. I let it run from about 10 minutes then turned the engine off.

About 10 minutes later I tried to start my car, and it would not start. It was trying to crank over, but it wouldn't start.

What could be the problem, any suggestions on what I should check and figure out the problem by process of elimination?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Boost231]

you said it trys to crank. whats the voltage on the battery?

 

[thepremier]

Battery Voltage Readings

On my Scanmaster the Battery Voltage reads 11.7 before trying to start the car, and drops down to 9.7 while I am trying to start the car.

 

[Boost231]

something got wet and sounds like its grounding out. i cant think right now i have to go to bed. someone will help you out im sure. let her dry out is all i can say right now

 

[d0n_3d]

Do you have a MAF sensor on the car? Also did you get the ignition coil pack/module soaked? I know for a fact I've ruined those before power washing my motor. I've also ruined an alternator twice doing it. Also ruined the A/C heater relay on the passenger side, and ruined a TPS sensor. Yeah basically cover up that stuff when power washing!

 

[d0n_3d]

On my Scanmaster the Battery Voltage reads 11.7 before trying to start the car, and drops down to 9.7 while I am trying to start the car.

Uhhh...your voltage at the battery before starting the car needs to be 12.5 or close volts. Your alternator should be putting out around 14 volts. If these two are not true you surely have a charging system problem. I would re-charge the battery overnight, let everything dry, reconnect battery and go fire her up. If the battery voltage still keeps going dead and your alternator is not putting out 14 volts, then your alternator is fried.

One time I ruined my alternator, I actually had an OVERcharging problem. When I would first start the car, it would spike to 16-17 volts for like 30 seconds and then go back to 14. So water can do funny things to alternators.

 

[thepremier]

Found The Problem

This morning I tried to start the car again, and it still did not start. After trying to start the car once again, I noticed that I didn't hear the fuel pump once I turned the key to the on position.

I checked the fuse block, and the 15amp fuse that works the fuel pump had blown. I replaced the blown fuse, and the car started right up.

Just wanted to say thank you to those who responded with suggestions.

 

[TurboDave]

This morning I tried to start the car again, and it still did not start. After trying to start the car once again, I noticed that I didn't hear the fuel pump once I turned the key to the on position.

I checked the fuse block, and the 15amp fuse that works the fuel pump had blown. I replaced the blown fuse, and the car started right up.

Just wanted to say thank you to those who responded with suggestions.

I would advise never using a power washer to clean under the hood!!! I've been washing under the hood of mine for over 20 years without problem. Here's the way I do it. Simple Green virtually everything that might have a film of oily or greasy dirt (engine mostly). Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with a hose, BUT, the hose spray should be a very fine spray, not a direct stream. You don't want to blow the water into anything with pressure.

 

[d0n_3d]

Good to hear. Water must have shorted out something in the engine bay causing that fuse to blow. I always tell people to be careful when pressure washing the engine...always cover up key electronic components. Always make sure you finish the job with the "spot free rinse" as it contains no minerals and crap like tap water has and it will not leave deposits in your engine to cause problems.

 

[d0n_3d]

Well you could pressure wash anything you wanted and not worry about it...just throw a small block 350 in there that is carbed and no electronics...LOL!

 

[Boost231]

wow glad to hear that was the problem.

 

[Project TNX]

I use elbow grease, engine degreaser, and simple green when I clean my engine in car, then I wipe it down with Formula 2001, and then wipe that down really good as well so it doesn;t collect dust.

Takes an entire afternoon and about 3 rolls of lint free clothes but the engine is super clean afterwards. After that you can just lightly clean it every other week for about 30 minutes and she's always nice.

 

[VadersV6]

All you have to do is pop all the electrical connectors you can get to and blow them out with air. use compressed air in a can if you have to. I use this engine degreaser that comes in a black can with green writing...not a popular name, but it works really really good. I get it at kragen. Its not simple green. This stuff makes simple green seem like water. Make sure to do it when the engine is cold. I spray the whole motor down, let it soak for a few minutes and use a garden hose on low pressure...just enough pressure to rinse the stuff off, and the whole engine and compartment look like a new afterward. I do my best to avoid the intake manifold valley (PCV valve), injectors, relays and sensors and obviously the air filter. The dirtiest area is around the cam sensor and down the front cover. The cam sensor is shielded enough to not worry about it. Your starter solenoid/motor is probably soaked and Ill bet every injector connector and relay connector is filled with water. I would never never never ever ever ever use a power washer on my engine! Given the high pressure, wouldnt hurt to pop the cover off the cam sensor. Even with the engine sitting all day, the water isnt going to evaporate from the connectors for quite some time. By the way, was the engine hot when you did this? Never wash a hot engine.

 

[BLACK6PACK]

I would advise never using a power washer to clean under the hood!!! I've been washing under the hood of mine for over 20 years without problem. Here's the way I do it. Simple Green virtually everything that might have a film of oily or greasy dirt (engine mostly). Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with a hose, BUT, the hose spray should be a very fine spray, not a direct stream. You don't want to blow the water into anything with pressure.

+1

That's what I do too. Very little work involved. I still cover the electronics with plastic grocery bags.

 

[Boost231]

there is way to much going on under the hood of a turbo regal to start spraying high pressure water under the hood. use the method posted above that works well