car is stumbling after wash
08-18-2005, 07:39 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
car is stumbling after wash
i washed my motor last night and then drove it about 10 miles and it ran perfect. i got up this morning for work and its missing like crazy. i thought it was out of gas so i filled it up and its still doing it. what could it be.
08-18-2005, 07:43 AM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: St. Louis, Mo......... 1993 Torch Red w/White Interior...2006-07 Bloomington Gold 2005-ZR1/C4 Gathering, 2001-2012 Funfest
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
2 Posts
What year car and what engine do you have? If you get an LT1 to wet you can fry your opti-spark. 
Rik
http://photobucket.com/albums/y126/Riks40th/
Rik
http://photobucket.com/albums/y126/Riks40th/
08-18-2005, 08:01 AM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have a 94, i didnt really soak the motor and it wasnt hot but i drove it 30 mins after and it didnt miss a beat and then it sat last night and stumbled all the way to work this morning.
08-18-2005, 08:04 AM
#5
Elite Torch Red Member
Another vote for opti.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
08-18-2005, 08:05 AM
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Another vote for opti.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
08-18-2005, 08:06 AM
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,111
Received 2,486 Likes
on
1,948 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Another vote for opti.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
08-18-2005, 08:10 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
Your non-vented Optispark might have gotten wet and now gone. We seem to read this simular post at least once a month. Why do we want to wash our engines.
You might have to replace your opti-spark and in the future, use Simple Green Stuff and not water.
You might have to replace your opti-spark and in the future, use Simple Green Stuff and not water.
08-18-2005, 09:22 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Medicine Hat Alberta
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My opti got wet on my 96 coupe...Here's what I did. I bought a small fish pump that puts out very little forceable air as possible..Then I disconnected one of the optispark vents lines and connected the fish pump to it...I think they are the same 1/4"od. Then the other vent line I disconnected that too and let her sit for 3 days before she dried out. I know some poeple will say that this will cause more corrosion but it worked for me. And I never wash under my hood again...I use a spray degreaser bottle and spend the 4 hours wiping it by hand...Besides it gets me out of the house so I don't hear my wife's voice naggin in the backround..
08-18-2005, 09:30 AM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by HOOBS
My opti got wet on my 96 coupe...Here's what I did. I bought a small fish pump that puts out very little forceable air as possible..Then I disconnected one of the optispark vents lines and connected the fish pump to it...I think they are the same 1/4"od. Then the other vent line I disconnected that too and let her sit for 3 days before she dried out. I know some poeple will say that this will cause more corrosion but it worked for me. And I never wash under my hood again...I use a spray degreaser bottle and spend the 4 hours wiping it by hand...Besides it gets me out of the house so I don't hear my wife's voice naggin in the backround..
08-18-2005, 09:37 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
I have washed the engine on my '94 several times. Stuffed rags all around above the opti. Used simple green and a gentle spray and didn't direct any water toward the opti. I have been lucky so far. I could not recommend washing an LT1 with a waterhose but I am the lazy type and will take that chance. I hope it dries out for you and starts running better.
08-18-2005, 09:43 AM
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how long do you think it would take to dry out? mind you im in florida and the car sits in about 95 * weather all day. i might pop the hood and put it in the sun, what do you guys think?
08-18-2005, 10:09 AM
#14
Elite Torch Red Member
Try a hair dryer.
08-18-2005, 10:17 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Las Vegas NV
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Another vote for opti.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
What I have to ask is, why does everyone feel the need to wash their engine? It's only going to get dirty again.
In any case, with the LT1, it's best to do it by hand with a rag and some spray cleaner very carefully around the distributor, and before anyone says this is an LT1 only problem, go ahead and soak any distributor and tell me how well it runs.
The only way I clean my LT1 engine compartment is by hand with a rag and a bottle of Simple Green. My engine was already clean when I got the Vette and I've just kept it that way by accomplishing bi -weekly touch ups. I use the same procedure on all of my vehicles.
08-18-2005, 10:20 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Apr 1999
Location: Middletown New Jersey
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I have been on this forum since very near when it started and I have seen literally hundreds of posts like this. What everyone else has been trying to say gently is get ready for a big repair bill. Yes, some have gotten lucky and they have dried out, but that is definitely the small minority. I hope you're one of the lucky ones.
Sorry to be so blunt.
Sorry to be so blunt.
08-18-2005, 11:27 AM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennS87
I have been on this forum since very near when it started and I have seen literally hundreds of posts like this. What everyone else has been trying to say gently is get ready for a big repair bill. Yes, some have gotten lucky and they have dried out, but that is definitely the small minority. I hope you're one of the lucky ones.
Sorry to be so blunt.
Sorry to be so blunt.
Sounds like luck is on your side. I'm always glad to hear happy endings.
08-18-2005, 06:55 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Miami FL
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This may sound crazy, but I have never had a problem with my opti from washing my motor. I got my vette in '93 before we new about washing the motor. I replaced my opti to a newer one when I modded a couple of years ago, but my old opti was still workin' good. ( I still have it in the garage) The new opti started to miss, but not from washing, it was just defective, the replacement opti has been fine and I wash my motor from time to time with degreaser and a light spray. I don't cover nothin', I blow the motor dry with a blower then detail it. It makes me think sometimes that this whole opti thing is exagerrated.
