sounds like it:
washed engine now it won't start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 13
From: South of Chicago Illinois
washed engine now it won't start
Hey folks,
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
Hey folks,
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
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Michael S. Palmer
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Maryville Tn
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Hope it dries out or this could be a very expensive lesson. Never wash LT1/LT4 engines. I wipe my LT1 engine down with a damp rag. Haven't had any problems keeping the engine clean.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
Hey folks,
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
1994 C4 LT1. Washed my engine today with the engine running to avoid cracking anything, used simple green then the garden hose, car died and won't restart. Is this a lesson in optispark? or did I get something else wet? Hooked up the code scanner and there are no codes present. Anyone with this experience out there? Thanks in advance...
Washing engine with hose and Opti is a 
Wish you luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
Great, I washed mine once and it was fine, I didn't know any better so don't feel too bad. I think antifreeze is what kills them more so than water but I still wouldn't do it again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
Same here, I washed mine when I didn't know any better shortly after I purchased my car about 8 - 9 years ago. I haven't had to replace the opti yet. That was also 80,000 miles ago, so now the opti has a total of 161000+ on it.Getting it wet is not good but as long is it is water and not anti-freeze I don't think its the end all necessarily.
With all this said, I actually have a brand new MSD replacement for it I just haven't got around to installing yet.
Good luck with yours.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Anniston BAMA
In the car care forum some use the tire cleaner that you spray on and walk away. Used it on my dads caddy and my truck, works well. Leaves everything nice and shiny too. With the spray you can control where you put it. I was conservative and avoided the obvious pitfalls.
Last edited by OTS_UFN; Jul 9, 2007 at 09:50 PM. Reason: addendum
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
I don't mean to bust your bubble, but don't be too surprised if your car dies in the near future. Those darn opti's sure do hate getting wet and even though your car came back to life, it doesn't mean that damage wasn't done. I don't want to get you upset or anything. I'm just saying that if your car dies, it will probably be the opti as the culprit. As mentioned, you should never wash your engine with water. Use the hand, rag, rub method.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
So lets get it Fixed!
Have you done any troubleshooting? Check for spark at the plugs first. Then if no spark, check for spark at the coil. If it is there then the cap and high voltage section of the opti is affected.
I no spark at the coil output, then the low voltage pulse section of the opti could have been affected. But if the low voltage section of the opti died, I would think then it would throw at least a code 16 if there was no low resolution pulse present at all.
Check to see if you disconnected any plugs or such. As a matter of fact, disconnect the ICM and coil plugs and make sure they are perfectly dry. If you have air use it otherwise do your best with what ever you’ve got.
You might also check the 12 volts to the coil just to make sure you did not blow the fuse for primary power for the coil and ICM.
Best of luck.
I no spark at the coil output, then the low voltage pulse section of the opti could have been affected. But if the low voltage section of the opti died, I would think then it would throw at least a code 16 if there was no low resolution pulse present at all.
Check to see if you disconnected any plugs or such. As a matter of fact, disconnect the ICM and coil plugs and make sure they are perfectly dry. If you have air use it otherwise do your best with what ever you’ve got.
You might also check the 12 volts to the coil just to make sure you did not blow the fuse for primary power for the coil and ICM.
Best of luck.
Last edited by pcolt94; Jul 10, 2007 at 06:41 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Houston PA
Have you done any troubleshooting? Check for spark at the plugs first. Then if no spark, check for spark at the coil. If it is there then the cap and high voltage section of the opti is affected.
I no spark at the coil output, then the low voltage pulse section of the opti could have been affected. But if the low voltage section of the opti died, I would think then it would throw at least a code 16 if there was no low resolution pulse present at all.
Check to see if you disconnected any plugs or such. As a matter of fact, disconnect the ICM and coil plugs and make sure they are perfectly dry. If you have air use it otherwise do your best with what ever you’ve got.
You might also check the 12 volts to the coil just to make sure you did not blow the fuse for primary power for the coil and ICM.
Best of luck.
I no spark at the coil output, then the low voltage pulse section of the opti could have been affected. But if the low voltage section of the opti died, I would think then it would throw at least a code 16 if there was no low resolution pulse present at all.
Check to see if you disconnected any plugs or such. As a matter of fact, disconnect the ICM and coil plugs and make sure they are perfectly dry. If you have air use it otherwise do your best with what ever you’ve got.
You might also check the 12 volts to the coil just to make sure you did not blow the fuse for primary power for the coil and ICM.
Best of luck.
