Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum (https://www.toyota-4runner.org/)
-   3rd gen T4Rs (https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/)
-   -   Just washed engine bay- now check engine light appears (https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/20741-just-washed-engine-bay-now-check-engine-light-appears.html)

BlackIceWAP 07-07-2006 10:10 PM
Just washed engine bay- now check engine light appears
 
Please help! I have a trip to Atlanta tomorrow evening, and I'm wondering if it's even safe to go. I cleaned out my engine with a bit of water and simple green. I dried it out for about 3 hours and then drove for a bit. After about 10 minutes - the check engine light appeared, and the 4runner started feeling different. :confused: A little shaky around idle, and I guess that's it. Is it safe for me to go to Atlanta? I know that's a question I really have to ask myself, but I just thought I'd see if anyone had a similar experience. Thanks!

1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5
158,000 miles and counting...


And I feel like a complete idiot. So thanks for your help!

Griffeycom 07-07-2006 10:49 PM
Check the spark plug valves. Probably got some water in there. Roll up a paper towel and shove it to the bottom of the valve and let it soak up all the water. I did the same thing with my Eclipse and soaking up the water made it stop running different. Disconnect/Reconnecting the battery turned off the Check Engine light and it never came back. Sold the Eclipse the next day :)

Fourty-four 07-07-2006 10:53 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Griffeycom
Check the spark plug valves. Probably got some water in there. Roll up a paper towel and shove it to the bottom of the valve and let it soak up all the water. I did the same thing with my Eclipse and soaking up the water made it stop running different. Disconnect/Reconnecting the battery turned off the Check Engine light and it never came back. Sold the Eclipse the next day :)
Spark plug valves? Never heard of that.

Fourty-four 07-07-2006 10:54 PM
Try pulling off the distributor cap drying it. You can also spray the inside of the cap with WD-40, which will displace any water that might have gotten into the cap. That is the most likely scenario.

schwalmy 07-08-2006 01:48 AM
did u use a power washer? or just hose........
schwalmy

BlackIceWAP 07-08-2006 03:48 AM
No pressure washer, just a hose, and simple green. I'm taking the 4runner over to the local dealership in the morning to have them investigate. I hope I haven't screwed anything up too badly. I thought nothing would go wrong- I covered the battery, maf, etc... wow what a day.

Griffeycom 07-08-2006 08:18 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Fourty-four
Spark plug valves? Never heard of that.
Eh, whatever you call the "hole" you put the spark plugs in. Sorry I didnt know what they're technically called :bonk:

Fourty-four 07-08-2006 08:39 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Griffeycom
Eh, whatever you call the "hole" you put the spark plugs in. Sorry I didnt know what they're technically called :bonk:
Oh, I got ya. Jeez, you must've had a lot of water in there to short the spark plugs! Didn't your Eclipse have rubber boots that sealed the top of the spark plug hole? Mine did.

Griffeycom 07-08-2006 04:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Fourty-four
Oh, I got ya. Jeez, you must've had a lot of water in there to short the spark plugs! Didn't your Eclipse have rubber boots that sealed the top of the spark plug hole? Mine did.
Yeah, actually they did. But if you got water on the valve cover it could seep down into where the spark plugs are. I'm not quite sure how so much water got down there either. since i use a fine stream to hose down my engine when i wash it. Anyway, yeah all i had to do was soak up the water and the rough idle went away..

GSGALLANT 07-09-2006 08:48 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Fourty-four
Oh, I got ya. Jeez, you must've had a lot of water in there to short the spark plugs! Didn't your Eclipse have rubber boots that sealed the top of the spark plug hole? Mine did.
The same happened to me a while back when I washed my engine. 1/8" of water around the plug is all it took for mine to misfire.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:22 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2026 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2026 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger