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Washed the engine, now I have problems!

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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
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tk97
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Burning Brakes
 
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Default Washed the engine, now I have problems!

This morning I decided to give the motor a little wash since it hadn't been done in almost 4 years. I used a tiny bit of soap and a wet rag and just went over all the plastic parts, making sure not to touch any of the electrical stuff. I even covered the alternator with a plastic bag. After, I hosed down the motor with gentle spray, then took a dry rag and soaked up the remaining water.

Everything seemed fine until this afternoon, when I was on the highway and decided to downshift hard in order to pass a slow moving semi. I put it in third and floored the gas and no sooner had I hit pedal to the floor the "Reduced Engine Power, Shocks Inoperative, yada yada yada" message came on. Oh, and I lost all power and had to pull over. I reset all the codes and the messages went away. However, when I floor the gas, even in neutral, this message comes on and I lose all power.

I think its related to washing my engine this morning, but it could also be pure coincidence. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
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ZeeOSix
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From: PNW
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"Check Engine" light come on? What codes were set?
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 08:17 PM
  #3  
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Burning Brakes
 
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Yep, check engine, service traction control, all the bells and whistles. I reset the codes already and because I'm an idiot I didn't think to pay attention to what codes they were. I'll have to go back to the car and "trigger" them again. I'm really hoping its just water on a ground or something.
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 08:58 PM
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From: Haymarket VA
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Get a can of electrical cleaner and clean every connection you can find. Open them up and dry them out. It would help if you had the codes. My wet connection was to the throttle body...
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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tk97
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Originally Posted by WKMCD
Get a can of electrical cleaner and clean every connection you can find. Open them up and dry them out. It would help if you had the codes. My wet connection was to the throttle body...
Great idea! I suspect mine might be the throttle body too, being that its a power issue. Thanks for the tip!
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 09:19 PM
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Blown 346
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From: Rockford Illinois
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I have 3 based LS1 engines and wash every one of them and have never had a problem with anything. The connectors and motor are meant to get wet otherwise the whole motor would be sealed off form the bottom up.

I highly doubt that the rag and some light water did anything, I usually use a power washer on mine.
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 09:43 PM
  #7  
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My friend used to work for an automotive OEM doing testing, not GM though, but one of the tests that they do is pressure washing the engine bay. Some cars it is okay, others it may not be.
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Old Jun 8, 2007 | 11:10 PM
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Let us know the outcome.
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Old Jun 10, 2007 | 02:58 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by RoganR
Let us know the outcome.
Haven't had a chance to really fiddle around with it, but as soon as I do I'll let you guys know.

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