Washing the engine bay problems?

[02_SE_Runner]

Hey Forum,
A few years ago (I was fine) washing my engine bay (Washing it down with a hose and scrubbing some spots with car soap), nothing happened after the engine bay cleaning. It ran strong, and she felt happy she was clean. (lol) I always clean all our cars engine bays with the engine running. The only problem then was that the belts felt like they slipped, after it dried it went away instantly (5-10 minutes of driving)

Now (Last year to recent) I washed my engine bay (no ISR no DeckPlate, just stock) I started to have trouble with doing so...
Symptoms:
Upon start up, you can hear and feel it having a hard time idling/rough idle. When you went to drive it, it felt less than normal for example when you punch it you would feel it stutter or like something is slipping, just plain out struggling. It you really only felt it under acceleration, but when you were up to speed and holding that speed it was just fine!
LIGHTS:
The Check engine light would flash a couple times on and off then stop.
The VSC and TRAC OFF lights were on, and I was unable to turn them off.
QUESTION
Where am I having this problem? How can I fix it? I would love to easily wash my engine bay again, without a toothbrush and a small cup.
I have tried to look at what may be causing this problem over a year but I give up.
:yield:
Thanks
Nate.

 

[A.Wilson013]

I wonder if you have some cracked wires or something... That'd be my only thought. Perhaps a coil isn't water tight anymore?

The problem goes away when it's dry, right?

 

[Kanger328]

Hmm...for the indicator lights, I'm guessing water got into the fusebox? As far as the engine issues, maybe your valve cover was loose and water got in. Not sure if that would cause those symptoms. Water may have entered the intake through your airbox? That's all I can think of right now. Anyone else?

 

[shootmymime]

pull your spark plug wires out of the wells in the valve cover. i got water in there once after a wash and it was misfiring on 2 cylinders.

 

[02_SE_Runner]

I wonder if you have some cracked wires or something... That'd be my only thought. Perhaps a coil isn't water tight anymore?

The problem goes away when it's dry, right?

Interesting, you may think it's a cracked wire, ill look at the visible wires see if there is, I highly doubt it though.
Coils, I can perhaps try replacing them when I get some more feedback.

The problem does go away when it is dry.

Hmm...for the indicator lights, I'm guessing water got into the fusebox? As far as the engine issues, maybe your valve cover was loose and water got in. Not sure if that would cause those symptoms. Water may have entered the intake through your airbox? That's all I can think of right now. Anyone else?

The fuse box never really gets hit hard with water, maybe? I would think that it would be more than just those lights if that were to be the problem. I checked valve covers, they are in tack and not loose.
I checked the air box at that time, the filter was dry, and clean. (K&N filter)

 

[02_SE_Runner]

pull your spark plug wires out of the wells in the valve cover. i got water in there once after a wash and it was misfiring on 2 cylinders.

It looks like this is the common problem/solution. (Time to upgrade! lol)
I would still like some other feedback before going here, as to get some more ideas/ experience from others.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[shootmymime]

yeah i just dried out the wells and boots and plug then it was fine.

 

[Stick Figure]

90% of the time that I have had problems like this on any vehicle after washing it is water in the spark plug wells. Air compressor works well to blow it all out and I've head from other people with out a compressor that a tampon works well, but you're on your own with that method.

 

[mikebontoft]

check engine flashed because of a misfire, and the VSC and TRAC OFF lights come on when the CEL is on. Once it runs long enough, the lights will clear on their own. Water gets down there and spark jumps through it and to the head instead of the spark plug.

Plug wires are very sensitive. I had a spark plug out the other day checking on running compression, and I picked up the wire... which continued to shock me every time it fired. (I'm used to it, so it's not as funny as you would imagine. lol.

 

[5RUNNERZ]

When the truck is dry and running good get a spray bottle, and spray just the wires, and if you do it at night you can sometimes see the so spark. This will narrow it down!