[accord04ex]

Hello every I got a 2.4 sedan sedan I like a lot. I was doing my yearly engine degrease and after I went to drive my car it felt like it was hogging down and didn’t want to drive. I was hearing a pop sound and I hope it’s not my piston are bad or blew up. I never had a problem degreasing my engine bay and power washing it and then drying it after. This is the first time this has happend car wouldn’t want to drive just wants to die. I’m in the side of the road right not waiting for a friend with a tow. I don’t know what would have went wrong I made sure the car was dry before. I think this time I didn’t leave the car running while I engine washed it . Any advice welcome

 

[JTCJTC]

My guess is your pressure washer forced water either into some electrical connection or component. Which one is going to be an issue to find out. Hopefully, it threw a code, but since this is an unusual situation, it might not. There's a reason the upper engine compartment is shielded from well when driving in rain. If you insist on introducing water to wash off degreaser, next time use a garden hose on a wide setting because it won't have enough force (hopefully) to cause any issues. If I want to clean my engine, I just put the cleaner on and then wipe it off. Having an engine you can eat off of doesn't really gain very much overall. Again, I hope it threw a code for you, because otherwise it will be a nightmare to figure out where your issue is. Good luck.

 

[Ronch]

Could water have gotten into the engine's air intake..?

 

[accord04ex]

Could water have gotten into the engine's air intake..?

would that cause car to not start? It starts fine but when I want to drive it does and there’s a horrible sounds came I didn’t want to drive anymore.

Anyways I’m worried if I caused major damage but when I got home from a tow my car seems to reverse and drive ok for a very very short distance idk have to check Chadian .

Just trying to let everything evaporate more which I thought I didn’t everything is mostly sealed up nice

 

[accord04ex]

My guess is your pressure washer forced water either into some electrical connection or component. Which one is going to be an issue to find out. Hopefully, it threw a code, but since this is an unusual situation, it might not. There's a reason the upper engine compartment is shielded from well when driving in rain. If you insist on introducing water to wash off degreaser, next time use a garden hose on a wide setting because it won't have enough force (hopefully) to cause any issues. If I want to clean my engine, I just put the cleaner on and then wipe it off. Having an engine you can eat off of doesn't really gain very much overall. Again, I hope it threw a code for you, because otherwise it will be a nightmare to figure out where your issue is. Good luck.

That’s for your help I really appreciate it

 

[accord04ex]

Car seems to drive ok like 40-75 ft in reverse and drive but I’m still not 100% sure. I will try and update thread

 

[mtts60]

Take a look at the air cleaner element. It's unlikely, but possible that it's soaked.

 

[visionguru]

There shouldn't be mechanic damages. Have you checked all the fuses? Hopefully, once the water evaporates, the car will be back.

 

[JarrellW23]

Hello every I got a 2.4 sedan sedan I like a lot. I was doing my yearly engine degrease and after I went to drive my car it felt like it was hogging down and didn’t want to drive. I was hearing a pop sound and I hope it’s not my piston are bad or blew up. I never had a problem degreasing my engine bay and power washing it and then drying it after. This is the first time this has happend car wouldn’t want to drive just wants to die. I’m in the side of the road right not waiting for a friend with a tow. I don’t know what would have went wrong I made sure the car was dry before. I think this time I didn’t leave the car running while I engine washed it . Any advice welcome

This is my fear of cleaning my engine bay.... I hear your supposed to cover the electricals but man...

 

[t-rd]

YEARLY engine degrease?! I have never even done it once in 18 years. It's dusty, not greasy.

You should fix the oil leaks instead.

 

[Miker]

check your sparkplug wells for presence of water ingress.

Ask me how I know !!!!!

 

[PhilipS]

Use compressed air and dry every electrical connection. Back in the day we used to mist the spark plug wires to find cracks. If the engine shuttered the wires were replaced.

 

[WDHewson]

I'll wash an engine occasionally, be it car or motorcycle, but never with a power washer.

Rather, I use a soft bush and a soft stream of water from a hose.

 

[accord04ex]

i noticed I had a small crack in my air filter box I patched it after replacing air filter and cabin filter. I left the car for a few days outside with the butterfly open to dry out just incase in the hot weather. Changed my knock sensor too and car is driving again normal. Currently at 234,000 miles I want to get to 500,000 then the big million