cleaned engine today... now won't start... coincidence?

[baxtej44]

used an engine cleaner today (suds up and then you rinse it away), had to drive it to the car wash place to do it, and when i did it, it was hissin loud like somethin was hot (wasn't too concerned.. i mean it's an engine..)

got home, still sizzling, but things were still wet, and the insulation on the underside of the hood was dripping as well.. so still wasn't too concerned)

let it sit for about 15 min before going to work, wasn't sizzling much at all if i remember right, so i thought it was fine.



started up fine, drove it about 5 min to work, was fine. parked on a hill to let the water drain from my bed (washed that out too)


come back out after about 4 hours and it won't start. battery is charged because accessories work in accessory position, and it turns over so it's not my starter.

it just won't get that final "thing" to get it started.


i'm thinking i am either not getting air or spark.


plenty of fuel, even though it's on a hill... nearly full tank.

 

[AllanD]

Wet distributer cap.

There is water INSIDE your distributer.

AD

 

[hotrod]

Agreed. Supposedly PBlaster displaces moisture, though I haven't tried it myself
Theres always a hair dryer too

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

no i thought it was wd 40 water displacement 40th formula

 

[Shran]

WD-40 or anything similar will displace water.

I agree x4. Alternator and distributor are two places you don't really want to spray when you're washing your motor. It will probably dry out so don't worry about it too much.

 

[baxtej44]

thanks guys, let it sit over night and will get to it once i have a ride... will update


locations on said parts of under the hood so i can stay away from them next time?

 

[AllanD]

I use starting fluid (commonly called Ether but usually a mixture of Pentane and Butane)
just be ABSOLUTELY SURE it all evaporates before you re-install the dist cap...

the point being that starter fluid evaporates completely....


AD

 

[Jim Oaks]

WD-40. WD is for Water Displacement. Spray the inside of the distributor cap.

 

[baxtej44]

a co-worker of mine thinks it's my starter... possible?


it sat out all night for over 12 hours and it still won't start.

 

[Jspafford]

If it turns over at the normal speed, it's not the starter.

 

[kennykenny]

I agree with everyone else that it is most likely water in the cap, but also when you turn the key to the ON position can you hear the fuel pump?

 

[hotrod]

years ago i washed my cougar at the car wash and it tripped the inertia switch. Its located under the dash(pass side I believe) did ya check that?

 

[Ranger97XL]

if your concerned its your starter have some one crank it while you beat it with a hammer

 

[daniel3507]

if your concerned its your starter have some one crank it while you beat it with a hammer

if it is your started and you try that keep in mind that it will probably only start like that once. i doubt thats what it is though

 

[baxtej44]

it is engaging with the belts moving, so my grandpa says that it's definitely not the starter.


he suggests that it might be the fuel filter??


this just sucks lol... guess that's what happens when you have a 21 year old truck, stuff starts quittin.

I agree with everyone else that it is most likely water in the cap, but also when you turn the key to the ON position can you hear the fuel pump?

honestly, i would have no clue what it sounds like haha....

years ago i washed my cougar at the car wash and it tripped the inertia switch. Its located under the dash(pass side I believe) did ya check that?

no, if you can't tell already i have pretty much zero car experience. i would have no clue what i'm looking for. would this prevent the car from starting?

if your concerned its your starter have some one crank it while you beat it with a hammer

we tried that, still didn't work. but like i said, it engages (belts move and such), so it can't be the starter can it?

with a bad starter it just goes "click click click click"?