gtmax

Just my luck man. I feel depressed right now lol. I had a powersteering leak that had spread oil all through the engine. Finally got it fixed so i figured let me get it properly cleaned out. I had steamed cleaned the engine at this place once before a while back.

Soon as i get in the car and turn it on it is shaking a lot. Just before this i was sitting waiting for my turn and admiring how damn quiet the car was. ****ing ironic isn't it?

I saw little sparks coming out of one of the spark plugs. I pulled over and opened the hood and let it dry out thinking maybe there was some water logged in there. After some 30mins it didn't help any really. I bought new sparkplugs but being sunday my mechanic isn't in.

I left the car near where i got it cleaned and will take it in tomorrow. There was smoke, with the smell of burning a little, coming out of the engine. The exhaust had fumes coming out and they were intermittent plumes of smoke. The VSC light is on and the check engine light is on as well. This is a '99 GS400 with 139K, btw.

I hope it's nothing too crazy or something that would have gone wrong down the line anyways. But i can't help think if only i'd never gone the car would have been just fine.

Anyone royally ****ed up like this?

TheGringo

My friend had something similar happen when he thoroughly washed his engine and it ended up being his knock sensor. I have also seen a friend's car freak out after an engine detail and all he did was let the car dry for a day and everything went back to normal. When I detail the engines on my cars I usually cover the alternator and any place there is a bunch of wires showing. I also dry the engine with a leaf blower. Hopefully it isn't anything major.

GS4004me

Dude your engine is wet, it just needs to run to dry everything up. or you may have to let it sit in the heat for a while. its some type of spray you can get from the auto store the can help dry it up i forget what it is. but the best is just dry it up best you can with heat or towel.

SC4Paulo

iTrader: (2)

double check your ignition coils didnt short out,

kowala

iTrader: (2)

I was just thinking of doing this but was hesitant due to issues that might come up. Guess i'm going to have to detail the engine bay the hard way. Hope you find the source of the issue too. I'm sure it's a quick fix.

gtmax

Thanks man. I hope i'm just being a nervous nelly. I left the car parked over there so i'm gonna go tomorrow and see how it is. Though i doubt, but I hope to god, that just letting it dry out will erase the check engine and VSC lights. I hope you're right though!

vipXjunky

iTrader: (28)

right when i was about to steam my engine bay lol thanks for the heads up and I hope your car is good to go after its all dry, crossing my fingers for you brother.

Aristo722

After all I have read, I have learned over the years to never take any steam, power wash or high pressure water to our engine bays. I wouldn't even take a garden house to it. I always wash mine by hand with no issues, even if it takes hours to get out all that grime, it sure saves you from hassles like this. I hope all is well!

gsean400

I personally wouldnt wash any engine bay... To many sensors and wires not to mention the alternator windings are wide open.

repugnante

wipe, never power wash or steam clean....

hope everything worked out for you OP

kene

iTrader: (2)

If this is a 2Jz, there is water/moisture in the spark plug channel region of the engine head, and the spark is shorting on the block and not 100% making it to the spark plug.

I have done this twice.


Just let it dry in the hot sun, and you will be fine.


Although, they may be fine, check if your spark plug wires are worn.

marshun

odd. i power wash my engine bay like once a year. i just start the car and start spraying while the engines on. i dont purposely spray the serpentine belt. but everything else is fair game. then the motor warms up and i let it air dry. then shut the car off

i do this on cars i flip as well. part of the presentation of course