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Thread: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

  1. #1
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    Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I bought an Evo 8 about a month ago. The previous owner or the shop had overfilled the transfer case oil which caused oil to leak from the breather on top to all over the surrounding surfaces.Â* I decided to change the tc oil and it was time to clean up the mess.

    Therefore, after spraying and wiping off all the grease with the industrial degreaser, I had the wonderful but kind of unintelligent ideaÂ* :bang: to wash the areas with pressure washer.Â* I went directly to self-service car wash applied the industrial degreaser under the car, around the tc and the cat-converter since it was greasy too, then I opened the hood and applied the same degreaser from the firewall section towards the tc breather :-\Â* then pressure washed the areas. I only washed that particular area not the engine bayÂ* ^-^

    At first, I had no problem starting the car. Approximately, after driving for 10-15 minutes the car started to stall, engine turned off and 3 solid ACD lights came on along with the ignition lights.Â* I was traveling on the highway while this happened It didn't start then I tried a bump start; the car started and suddenly turned off again.Â* I managed to pull the car to the shoulder. I turned the ignition on everything looked normal on the cluster, ACD light...I could not start the car again; it cranks but does not start. I got my car towedÂ* Â*:'(

    What seems to be the problem Gentlemen?

  2. #2
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    Mike W's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I am going out on a limb here. Not sure if this might be it. But maybe (considering the circumstances and all leading up to the car not running, I think it is maybe just possible that you got water in something? Just sayin.

    All the electrical connectors have rubber seals to keep water out. When a car is new, the seals will keep pressurized water out. When the seals have been baked for 7 or 8 years, not so much. You got a little water into something. It sat in a puddle in the bottom of where ever it was not bothering anything. Then you drove the car and got it hot. The little couple of drops turned to steam. The steam created enough of a short in the connector or spark plug well or sensor that shorted it out so that it gave no reading or a false reading. The car stopped running.

    It may fire up again in the morning, it may die again just for fun. If it were my car I'd first pull the coil boots and plug wires off the spark plugs and make sure they are dry. Look for a fine moisture on them. Blow out the plug wells. If it still wont start, I'd unplug each connector one at a time. Then with compressed air ( I have an air compressor) I'd blow it dry. Then replug it in. Continue (but dont rinse-repeat!) with all electrical connectors that you can find. If it is moisture down in the crank angle sensor area it will dry out over night most likely.

    Mike W

  3. #3
    Evo Specialist HMatt's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    You broke a cardinal rule of owning a Mitsu...

    If you wash your engine bay, you must leave the engine bay under the direct light of the California sun all damn day before attempting to start it.
    "Many thanks to the Prius... For using less fuel so I have more to BURN!"
    --Me
    "I slick back my hair, you know the Devil's in there"
    --from Elephants by Them Crooked Vultures
    "I am a fever, I ain't born typical"
    --from U R A Fever by The Kills

    My Deliciously White Trash Website: www.yourtrailerparkisshowing.com You know you wanna click on it!

  4. #4
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I washed my interior at the car wash with the pressure nozzle and the dash keeps dripping soap from the underdash area and the carpet is all squishy. The dash gauges have a little water level in the bezels--WHAT CAN I DO????
    ETS UICP, Cosworth drop-in, Stop-Tech, RRE 3 port, RRE sideways catback-stealth with 4 chrome tips, Swift springs, SolarGard, Mynes dampers, Blue f.p. relay. 315 whp, 319 wtq by Mike W.

  5. #5
    Evo Specialist HMatt's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    ^Wow... Pretty dickish man...


    Not saying it wasn't funny though.
    "Many thanks to the Prius... For using less fuel so I have more to BURN!"
    --Me
    "I slick back my hair, you know the Devil's in there"
    --from Elephants by Them Crooked Vultures
    "I am a fever, I ain't born typical"
    --from U R A Fever by The Kills

    My Deliciously White Trash Website: www.yourtrailerparkisshowing.com You know you wanna click on it!

  6. #6

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Ya never wash anything I'm the engine bay with a spray nosel or pressure anything! I went through a few throttle positioning sensors because of this!!! :'( now I only clean my valve cover, cleanliness might be next to godliness but my wallet is closer to me so I win! Haha
    admire the stevo8<br /><br />heres one for my dead homies!!!<br /><br /><br />MODS!- K&amp;amp;N drop in, APS BOV, Dejon Tool MBC, Walbro 255 fuel pump, Tuning Tech LICP, WOT 65mm Throttle body/intake mani, HKS mivec cams 272, turbo back exhaust, secret JDM soy sause, and Alfred tuned!!! oh ya and cracked windshield

  7. #7
    Evo Specialist HMatt's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Ok, now as an electronics technitian that has cleaned laptops with a garden hose, I will say this:

    Water is NOT what kills electronics. It's the electricity conducted THROUGH the water that kills them. As long as you have some way to make sure everything is completely dry before allowing electricity to flow again, you are good.
    "Many thanks to the Prius... For using less fuel so I have more to BURN!"
    --Me
    "I slick back my hair, you know the Devil's in there"
    --from Elephants by Them Crooked Vultures
    "I am a fever, I ain't born typical"
    --from U R A Fever by The Kills

    My Deliciously White Trash Website: www.yourtrailerparkisshowing.com You know you wanna click on it!

  8. #8
    Evo Specialist EvolutionXtacy's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    pour a mound of rice over your engine... :) let it soak all the moisture
    ​Diplomatic Immunity.

  9. #9

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I agree with that!! That includes all aqueous solutions! Â*O0 plus the acids in some cleaning products will form very conductive aqueous Â*electrolyte salts which multiplies the electron flow to whatever electronic you added it to guaranteeing a bad day! Â*

    Thank you college!!! Finally applying what I learned to something real haha
    admire the stevo8<br /><br />heres one for my dead homies!!!<br /><br /><br />MODS!- K&amp;amp;N drop in, APS BOV, Dejon Tool MBC, Walbro 255 fuel pump, Tuning Tech LICP, WOT 65mm Throttle body/intake mani, HKS mivec cams 272, turbo back exhaust, secret JDM soy sause, and Alfred tuned!!! oh ya and cracked windshield

  10. #10

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Check your fuse , I had the same problem exept I didn't wash my engine bay

  11. #11

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Quote Originally Posted by EvolutionXtacy
    pour a mound of rice over your engine... :) let it soak all the moisture
    Lmao. This works on my friends phone though, we she dropped her phone into the toilet . Facepalm*

  12. #12

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP


  13. #13

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Fuck my iphone for double posting. My bad

  14. #14

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I'm always scared when I wash my engine bay, I stay away from that back area with all the electric stuff. I spray it as light as possible and turn the car on immediately after I wash it.
    http://www.adotphoto.com<br />

  15. #15
    Canyon Racer FUEL's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Dont PREASURE WASH your engine bay .... use some clean rags and simple green ....should be able to get most of the crud off... and for the small parts you cant reach a can of brake part cleaner (With the straw connected) and a toothbrush for the baked on shit....

  16. #16

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I have always wash all my engines for yearsÂ* every second car wash with the same car wash soap and a garden hose never a pressure washer and I have never had one issue !!

    EVO 9
    2012 Wife's mini copper
    Lexus IS
    Ect.
    This is after 6 years and 24,000 miles , so you can wash your engine bay
    ANYTHING MORE THAN A IX , IS UN-ACCEPTABLE !!!! "MEANING X'S SUCK "

  17. #17
    BANNED chinoxmk22's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    I usually just leave mine running. .

  18. #18
    Canyon Racer FUEL's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Quote Originally Posted by evopaul
    I have always wash all my engines for yearsÂ* every second car wash with the same car wash soap and a garden hose never a pressure washer and I have never had one issue !!

    EVO 9
    2012 Wife's mini copper
    Lexus IS
    Ect.
    This is after 6 years and 24,000 miles , so you can wash your engine bay
    You only have 24K on your car after 6 years?

  19. #19

    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Quote Originally Posted by FUEL
    Quote Originally Posted by evopaul
    I have always wash all my engines for yearsÂ* every second car wash with the same car wash soap and a garden hose never a pressure washer and I have never had one issue !!

    EVO 9
    2012 Wife's mini copper
    Lexus IS
    Ect.
    This is after 6 years and 24,000 miles , so you can wash your engine bay
    You only have 24K on your car after 6 years?
    Yup.. Only 24,000 I have many cars to drive , this was my play toy. Weekend car when I have time
    Never seen rain and garaged kept.
    ANYTHING MORE THAN A IX , IS UN-ACCEPTABLE !!!! "MEANING X'S SUCK "

  20. #20
    Canyon Racer FUEL's Avatar
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    Re: Washed the firewall area by mistake and the car won't start. PLEASE PLEASE HELP

    Do you plan on selling it in the future?

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