Car didn't start after wash???

BeauBlues · BeauBlues's Garage

I warmed it up before I washed it today. Then decided to wash it. After I was done it didnt want to start. All it did was turn over, not even a slight sputter. I waited a while till it dried and, wam, started right up. This is the first time its done this to me. I recently installed new Clewetts along with a cap, rotor, and new plugs. I have washed since then and no problems till today. What can it be? I'm a little worried about the rain now that it has done this.

jose luis · jose luis's Garage

Check , Clean & Dry the Distributor seems that the water went there when washing the car . It happens to me when I first get the car and went to an Auto Wash (BIG MISTAKE!) but I learned a lot , now I wash the car very carefully with minimum water (just the tires!) I use Eagle One Wax Spray or Meguiars Products in the Hood, Roof , Sides but not in the hood.

JL Garcia
912, 1968

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

I that doesn't work, try spraying a little bit of wd-40 on it, as it will displace the water. Should easily turn over after that, if that is the issue.

Regards,

cyprusx · 06-29-2005, 05:25 PM

I always put a big thick towel over the engine when I wash it... Catches a lot of water. I am waiting for the time when I fortget its in there and start it up.... Hope it never happens... I remember reading a blurb on the stupid mistakes thread about a guy leaving a box of tissues/rags and had them sucked up... lol

BeauBlues · BeauBlues's Garage

Should I worry when the rainy season comes back and leaving my car out in the rain, hoping it will start?

stomachmonkey · 06-29-2005, 05:46 PM

I have similar problem but it seems to be humidity related.

When it rains car will not start even though the car is covered with a waterproof tarp.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks
scott

cyprusx · 06-29-2005, 05:55 PM

stomachmonkey, I primarly place the towel on the engine to prevent water spots, not because it doesn't start after getting wet. I would look at replacing the cap/rotor and plug wires, including the one to the coil. Sounds like you are getting condensation build up...

kqw · 06-29-2005, 06:26 PM

You car should not do what you are describing. Something is wrong....

Over many years of ownership of my carrera, even sometimes sitting outside in the rain over night, never an issue with starting.

Check your cap for cracks. I would hope that this is not another issue with clewett wires.

jose luis · jose luis's Garage

Do you have the Internal Plastic Engine Cover? The Black Piece that is inside the hood , this is to prevent any water leaking entering the Engine from the outside.

kqw · 06-29-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jose luis
Do you have the Internal Plastic Engine Cover? The Black Piece that is inside the hood , this is to prevent any water leaking entering the Engine from the outside.

You may be thinking of an aftermarket retro. However, there should be no cover under the grill, only the A/C condensor.

Moisture is affecting the cap, plug wires etc. Something needs to be addressed here.

stomachmonkey · 06-30-2005, 05:09 AM

It was never a problem before, just kind of popped up.

I'll check the cap again. Wires are brand new, 2k miles on em Beru.

Scott

kqw · 06-30-2005, 05:36 AM

A crack in the cap can sometimes be very elusive. A few years ago, I purchased a brand new cap. Car ran fine until it rained and I would get some juttering until I drove the car a few miles and then it would run fine.

I pulled the cap and looked...nothing....Next rain, the same thing would happen...Pulled the cap and slightly flexed it and saw a crack.

Took it back to the parts house and they replaced at no charge. It can happen...i.e., if somewhere along the line, the the box with the cap in it was dropped etc.

stomachmonkey · 06-30-2005, 08:05 AM

Pulled the cap earlier and the contacts and rotor are heavily scored with a nice build up of carbon/black stuff.

I'm thinking the gap is out of spec combined with buildup and humidity which makes it harder to jump the gap is causing the issue.

Ordered new cap and rotor local and it'll be in this afternoon so I'll either have it fixed or cap and rotor ruled out by tonight.

kqw · 06-30-2005, 08:32 AM

Good deal....

Once you replace the cap and rotor, you should be able drench the cap without any issues.

Let me know...

kqw · 06-30-2005, 08:53 AM

Just a thought....check to make sure that your distributor shaft has no wobble. i.e., unable to move side to side.

RazorRacer · 06-30-2005, 09:39 AM

The auto part stores carry a silicon spary for the distributor. Putting a coat or two of this spray may cure your woes. You can do it after you replace the cap & rotor, too.

jorian · 06-30-2005, 09:44 AM

My car does the same thing if I'm careless at the car wash. I have to dry the distrbutor to get it started. If it rains I've never had a problem. I think if you use a high pressure hose near the trunk lid that is what creates the problem.

Craig 930 RS · 06-30-2005, 11:03 AM

Same thing with my old SC. NO start at all, a b*tch to dry out in order to start - in my cae

Sameer · Sameer's Garage

Same thing with me, used an air jet tohelp dry out everything and within 10 mins, all set to go.

BeauBlues · BeauBlues's Garage

I think I came up with an idea of how to test it to see if it is the cap. But I'll need some approvals from people on this board before I try it. What if I start the car, dry, and then go into the engine, while its running and spray the distributer with water from a spray bottle and look for any change. Is this an okay idea? I dont want to fry anything if it is not.