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axxeman01 · 10 May 2011, 11:08 AM

OK, so I'm dumb, I'll admit that off the bat. I have a 94 bmw 503i, yesterday I wanted to clean the engine so I used dawn soap and a garden hose. Took it for a spin right after and no problems.

Today however, check engine light on, idle is VERY, very rough, and car has no power whatsoever (by that I mean it's drivable, just put your foot on the gas and virtually nothing).

I've no doubt this is related to me getting something wet that shouldn't have. So ... how to fix? Can I just let it sit for a week or so, or do I actively need to do something?

Thanks! - Chris

britincali · 10 May 2011, 11:12 AM

You got water on top of the plugs.

Im not savvy on beemers but am pretty sure it uses coilpacks not a distributor, pull whatever plastic fancy cover is over the coils and plugs and try to blow out any water with an airline, if its still missing you'll have to pull the coilpacks and blow them out plus the plug holes, the coilpacks should be one connector and one bolt.

Im pretty sure you mean 530i...

axxeman01 · 10 May 2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britincali

You got water on top of the plugs.

Im not savvy on beemers but am pretty sure it uses coilpacks not a distributor, pull whatever plastic fancy cover is over the coils and plugs and try to blow out any water with an airline, if its still missing you'll have to pull the coilpacks and blow them out plus the plug holes, the coilpacks should be one connector and one bolt.

Im pretty sure you mean 530i...

Yes, 530i, typo! OK, thanks, going to pull out the manual and figure this out.

axxeman01 · 10 May 2011, 11:27 AM

I just got another recommendation as well, going to let it run an hour in the garage with the hood up, then close the hood and let it sit all night, try again in the AM to fire it up, I'm told this might dry everything out.

britincali · 10 May 2011, 11:44 AM

You'll be very very very lucky if it does.......

wdalew5 · 10 May 2011, 11:50 AM

remove coil pack and use a hair dryer to dry it

jekuo · 10 May 2011, 12:06 PM

Open up the hood and put a fan to blow on it overnight. It will help dry out the engine bay. Don't run it too much wet as there is likely something shorting out somewhere and you might cause a voltage spike to one of the many computers/sensors onboard. It should be OK once dry again.

MonBK · 10 May 2011, 12:12 PM

Plug in a OBD II scanner and it will tell you what the problem is.

folexhater · 10 May 2011, 01:08 PM

spark plugs are flooded with water...definitely! Remove plugs and suck the water out, then let it dry!

applebook · 10 May 2011, 01:44 PM

[QUOTE=suck the water out, then let it dry![/QUOTE]

With my mouth?!

Jocke · 10 May 2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by folexhater

spark plugs are flooded with water...definitely! Remove plugs and suck the water out, then let it dry!

If you remove the plugs the water will be right into the engine.

NiceRide · 10 May 2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

Plug in a OBD II scanner and it will tell you what the problem is.

I don't know too many folks who have this readily on hand.

The idea of leaving the hood up and fan drying is the best.

Do NOT remove the plugs yet....

sherwin · 10 May 2011, 02:07 PM

Dry out the engine bay. Like some mentioned, you may want to pull the sparkplugs and dry them out too.

An OBDII scanner is an invaluable tool to have for any serious home mechanic. Combine this with service/workshop manuals. And you are good to go.

folexhater · 10 May 2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applebook

With my mouth?!

yes...but make sure to use a straw!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocke

If you remove the plugs the water will be right into the engine.

didn't happen when my cousin and I did it with his car!

rainman_16 · 10 May 2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocke

If you remove the plugs the water will be right into the engine.

This ^^^ and that's something you really don't want.

blackmsport · 10 May 2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axxeman01

OK, so I'm dumb, I'll admit that off the bat. I have a 94 bmw 503i, yesterday I wanted to clean the engine so I used dawn soap and a garden hose. Took it for a spin right after and no problems.

Today however, check engine light on, idle is VERY, very rough, and car has no power whatsoever (by that I mean it's drivable, just put your foot on the gas and virtually nothing).

I've no doubt this is related to me getting something wet that shouldn't have. So ... how to fix? Can I just let it sit for a week or so, or do I actively need to do something?

Thanks! - Chris

happenned to my Audi .... water got into one engine spark plug.... just replace the spark plugs...

before removing spark plugs, drive to to local service / gas station, get high pressure air (the one to pump tyres) blow all the water out

or ask Superman to tuen the car upside down to get water out

esm · 10 May 2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by folexhater

didn't happen when my cousin and I did it with his car!

you meant the spark plug cover/tube thingy?

blackmsport · 10 May 2011, 06:28 PM

I meant one spark plug / whatever they call it these day is dead

Alcan · 10 May 2011, 07:34 PM

If there's an AutoZone nearby they will do a scan and retrieve any stored DTC's no charge. They'll probably find DTC P0300, random multiple misfire. The scan WILL NOT tell you which component specifically is at fault, that's up to whoever is diagnosing it, but my best guess would be as mentioned, water in the spark plug wells. If so, a bit of compressed air down the spark plug wells will sort it out.

Pix · 10 May 2011, 10:52 PM

next time use simple green, let sit for 30 min then rinse, better than dawn. Not that it will fix your electrical problem:(

watch watcher · 11 May 2011, 02:34 AM

An OBD ll scanner or Autozone can't help him becasue his car is a '94 (1996 is when the enhanced diagnostics went into effect.)

MonBK · 11 May 2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watch watcher

An OBD ll scanner or Autozone can't help him becasue his car is a '94 (1996 is when the enhanced diagnostics went into effect.)

Then use a OBD I for crying out loud.

britincali · 11 May 2011, 02:39 AM

Why bother scanning it? Its obvious what the problem is.

Kinda like getting a flat and using a scan tool to tell you the TPMS light is on.........

Paracentesis · 11 May 2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axxeman01

I just got another recommendation as well, going to let it run an hour in the garage with the hood up,

Running an engine in a closed garage is not recommended!

MonBK · 11 May 2011, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britincali

Why bother scanning it? Its obvious what the problem is.

Kinda like getting a flat and using a scan tool to tell you the TPMS light is on.........

I seriously doubt that he has TPMS in his car.

PS. Al gave the best advice in this thread and the problem is most likely already solved.

MonBK · 11 May 2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

Running an engine in a closed garage is not recommended!

He said with the hood up.

Jocke · 11 May 2011, 03:05 AM

The best thing to do is: get a diesel next time.

MonBK · 11 May 2011, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocke

The best thing to do is: get a diesel next time.

Find me a MB A 170 CDI before June 1 Jocke.

Jocke · 11 May 2011, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

Find me a MB A 170 CDI before June 1 Jocke.

What should you do with a weltwagen?

britincali · 11 May 2011, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

I seriously doubt that he has TPMS in his car.

.

I guess you missed the sarcasm.

10 May 2011, 11:08 AM	#1
axxeman01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Chris Location: Champaign, IL Watch: 16610lv Posts: 818	Car problem OK, so I'm dumb, I'll admit that off the bat. I have a 94 bmw 503i, yesterday I wanted to clean the engine so I used dawn soap and a garden hose. Took it for a spin right after and no problems. Today however, check engine light on, idle is VERY, very rough, and car has no power whatsoever (by that I mean it's drivable, just put your foot on the gas and virtually nothing). I've no doubt this is related to me getting something wet that shouldn't have. So ... how to fix? Can I just let it sit for a week or so, or do I actively need to do something? Thanks! - Chris

10 May 2011, 11:50 AM	#6
wdalew5 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Dale Location: ohio Watch: Rolex,omega,casio Posts: 508	remove coil pack and use a hair dryer to dry it __________________ " yes , I do wear the EVH 5150 shoes "

10 May 2011, 01:44 PM	#10
applebook "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vancouver Posts: 1,918	[QUOTE=suck the water out, then let it dry![/QUOTE] With my mouth?! __________________

10 May 2011, 02:07 PM	#13
sherwin "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth/Singapore Posts: 1,764	Dry out the engine bay. Like some mentioned, you may want to pull the sparkplugs and dry them out too. An OBDII scanner is an invaluable tool to have for any serious home mechanic. Combine this with service/workshop manuals. And you are good to go. __________________ Want to Buy:SS GMT black;116509 WG Daytona Metrorite

10 May 2011, 07:34 PM	#19
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	If there's an AutoZone nearby they will do a scan and retrieve any stored DTC's no charge. They'll probably find DTC P0300, random multiple misfire. The scan WILL NOT tell you which component specifically is at fault, that's up to whoever is diagnosing it, but my best guess would be as mentioned, water in the spark plug wells. If so, a bit of compressed air down the spark plug wells will sort it out. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

10 May 2011, 11:12 AM	#2
britincali "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North Wales UK Watch: 16600,16570,6098 Posts: 706	You got water on top of the plugs. Im not savvy on beemers but am pretty sure it uses coilpacks not a distributor, pull whatever plastic fancy cover is over the coils and plugs and try to blow out any water with an airline, if its still missing you'll have to pull the coilpacks and blow them out plus the plug holes, the coilpacks should be one connector and one bolt. Im pretty sure you mean 530i...

10 May 2011, 11:27 AM	#4
axxeman01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Chris Location: Champaign, IL Watch: 16610lv Posts: 818	I just got another recommendation as well, going to let it run an hour in the garage with the hood up, then close the hood and let it sit all night, try again in the AM to fire it up, I'm told this might dry everything out.

10 May 2011, 11:44 AM	#5
britincali "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North Wales UK Watch: 16600,16570,6098 Posts: 706	You'll be very very very lucky if it does.......

10 May 2011, 12:06 PM	#7
jekuo Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: James Location: SoCal Watch: 16710B-M Series Posts: 288	Open up the hood and put a fan to blow on it overnight. It will help dry out the engine bay. Don't run it too much wet as there is likely something shorting out somewhere and you might cause a voltage spike to one of the many computers/sensors onboard. It should be OK once dry again.

10 May 2011, 12:12 PM	#8
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,281	Plug in a OBD II scanner and it will tell you what the problem is.

10 May 2011, 01:08 PM	#9
folexhater Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: kel Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	spark plugs are flooded with water...definitely! Remove plugs and suck the water out, then let it dry!

10 May 2011, 06:28 PM	#18
blackmsport Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melb - Australia Posts: 2,959	I meant one spark plug / whatever they call it these day is dead

10 May 2011, 10:52 PM	#20
Pix "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: midwest Watch: SS Datejust Posts: 1,288	next time use simple green, let sit for 30 min then rinse, better than dawn. Not that it will fix your electrical problem:(

11 May 2011, 02:34 AM	#21
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	An OBD ll scanner or Autozone can't help him becasue his car is a '94 (1996 is when the enhanced diagnostics went into effect.)

11 May 2011, 02:39 AM	#23
britincali "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North Wales UK Watch: 16600,16570,6098 Posts: 706	Why bother scanning it? Its obvious what the problem is. Kinda like getting a flat and using a scan tool to tell you the TPMS light is on.........

11 May 2011, 03:05 AM	#27
Jocke 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jocke Location: Sweden Watch: A dozen of Rolex's Posts: 22,514	The best thing to do is: get a diesel next time. __________________ This message is written in perfect swenglish. What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom? Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.

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