GST Engine sputtering

[GST racer]

I washed the engine bay last night, using GUNK degreaser. Then I turned the hose on full blast and hosed everything down. Now, this morning and all day today, the car is running like crap. its too lean, and it barely boosts at all. I replaced the spark plugs with ngkbpr7es, still no difference. Any ideas?

 

[BlueTurboSpyder]

Its too lean and barely boosts? Usually when a car isnt boosting correctly it will run rich. Was there any black smoke coming out of your exhaust when you were driving under boost? If so, I would check for boost leaks. Here is a link on how to make a tester --> http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html
I think the hosing of the motor thing may be unrelated. Keep us updated and give more details if you can.

 

[MrBoxx]

Please fill out your vehicle profile completely, incuding the modification sections. Does your current set-up warrant the use of 7ES plugs; in other words, are you running extremely high boost to need a colder spark plug? It's possible that you're running too cold of a plug and they're fouling out. Try using BPR6ES's (gapped to .028") and see if your problem improves.

It's also possible your MAS got wet, or water got into the spark plug wells.

 

[chanley talon]

Your plug wires or holes have water in them if i was guessing . That will screw a dsm over real easy is spark breakdown just look for moisture . You could look for arking sparks at night to . This is just a suggestion.

 

[GST racer]

if water got into the mas, is there anything i could do to save it? and also, i dont think it would be a boost leak, although i checked. it almost feels like i took the hose off the intake throttle body and tried to start it up. the a/f gauge shows the light buried in the rich side.

today, i drove to work and it seemed fine, then at lunch i went to leave and it idled like crap and moved like crap. then it kinda straightened out and ran fine. then after lunch i drove back to work, it ran crappy for a minute, then ran fine back to work. then the whole way home from work later on it ran like crap.

sorry about the profile, i meant to change it but everytime i go into user cp/profile the page wouldnt load. ill try it again later, but for now here are my main mods

stock exhaust manifold
2.5" downpipe (i think? its bigger anyways)
3" straight back exhaust
evo 3 turbo
stock injectors
profec b boost controller
safc2
fmic
walbro 255 fuel pump
fuel regulator
upper and lower ic piping
boosting about 14 to 20 psi (dual stage controller, one side for gas saving, other for high speed)

also another thing.... the reason i washed the engine yesterday was because there was oil on everything. there was oil on everything because when i was racing(stupid i know), the dipstick shot out and sprayed oil everywhere. i checked the oil today after the car was cooled down, and the level seems ok, i was just worried that maybe now there was no oil in the engine. i did notice a spot on the o2 sensor wire where the wire covering was ripped off. im thinking about replacing the o2 sensor, thinking maybe the hot oil, or too much water got on it. any other ideas?

 

[Newlogics]

Cam angle sensor is a sensitive spot for water. There were quite a few threads about engine washing that ended in faulty CAS.

Are you running open filter? Take it off and see if there is moisture, water puddles inside filter, intake tract.
Also, check your compression. Extreme dipstick popping can be attributed to elevated crank case pressure, which, in turn, can be caused by failed ring/piston/valve guide or seal.

Make sure there is no water in spark plug wells. It can trickle down into the cylinder and screw with your AFR.

if water got into the mas, is there anything i could do to save it? and also, i dont think it would be a boost leak, although i checked. it almost feels like i took the hose off the intake throttle body and tried to start it up. the a/f gauge shows the light buried in the rich side.

today, i drove to work and it seemed fine, then at lunch i went to leave and it idled like crap and moved like crap. then it kinda straightened out and ran fine. then after lunch i drove back to work, it ran crappy for a minute, then ran fine back to work. then the whole way home from work later on it ran like crap.

sorry about the profile, i meant to change it but everytime i go into user cp/profile the page wouldnt load. ill try it again later, but for now here are my main mods

stock exhaust manifold
2.5" downpipe (i think? its bigger anyways)
3" straight back exhaust
evo 3 turbo
stock injectors
profec b boost controller
safc2
fmic
walbro 255 fuel pump
fuel regulator
upper and lower ic piping
boosting about 14 to 20 psi (dual stage controller, one side for gas saving, other for high speed)

also another thing.... the reason i washed the engine yesterday was because there was oil on everything. there was oil on everything because when i was racing(stupid i know), the dipstick shot out and sprayed oil everywhere. i checked the oil today after the car was cooled down, and the level seems ok, i was just worried that maybe now there was no oil in the engine. i did notice a spot on the o2 sensor wire where the wire covering was ripped off. im thinking about replacing the o2 sensor, thinking maybe the hot oil, or too much water got on it. any other ideas?

 

[GST racer]

how much does a CAS run usually? ugh i hope i dont have to replace any expensive sensors. ill look at the intake tomorrow, and i'll replace the plug wires. is there any way to save a faulty CAS or MAS, if it is one of those?



wish this car didnt have so many problems

 

[djseclipse]

Was the engine hot when you sprayed it down? If so the sudden temperature change could have cracked your exhaust manifold, which would make your car run like crap also. Just a different idea from what everyone else has said. Good luck!

 

[GST racer]

it was hot, but it wasnt too hot. as in, it didnt steam much when i sprayed it down. usually it WOULD steam if it was hot, but anyways, no i dont think its the exhaust manifold. im gonna buy some new plug wires and see if that helps

 

[Laysher91]

Check your electrical sensors for moisture: I have had my entire engine frost over during the winter. (there was actually frost on EVERYTHING!) After getting all that moisture in every nook and cranny my car wouldn't start for a week. I unhooked my coil pack and water dripped out of the connector. I spent all week blowing on electrical connectors to get the moisture out and it finally started. It ran like crap for the rest of the day until I got all the water worked out. Luckily it didnt short-out any sensors. Be patient.

 

[GST racer]

this is what i posted on another forum...

"i was thinkin like $600+. $100 or so doesnt seem too bad.

oh and by the way, i drove my dad's car to work today, then when i got home i opened the hood and just looked at the engine trying to see what might be wrong. nothing, so i punched my upper IC pipe in frustration and ended up hitting a bolt too. scraped my knuckle pretty bad. didnt really do anything with the engine, but i got in to start it up, and it started, idled, drove, boosted, and idled some more LIKE A CHAMP. its like the problem was never ever there. im gonna let it sit for the rest of today and tomorrow morning and then try it again and see if there is any difference, seeing as how letting it sit seems to work.

scuze me while i go get a bandaide."



car works fine now. very weird, very dsm. thanks for all the quick answers guys!