HELP! washed car and now engine has problems starting

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 03:28 PM

I washed the exterior of my car like I always do. I did NOT use any water in the engine bay. I went to start the car and it would just crank and then start for like 1/2 a sec and die out. I kept trying and it finally started but wouldnt pass 3-4 rpms or 30-40 mph. Then parked it and tried it again and it cranked really hard and started up. Then it drove fine. Now it starts normally but if i let it sit for like 10 minutes and try it again it either cranks hard and starts or starts and then dies out. Second try though it will start perfecty. Does anyone know what this can be?

nepali · 06-07-2012, 03:38 PM

Battery?

GaleForce · 06-07-2012, 03:40 PM

Low fuel?

MattP725 · 06-07-2012, 03:44 PM

Do you have Injen or other cold air intakes? You might have saturated the filter... give it time to dry out and you should be ok...

Otherwise it may be a coincidence... check things like your oil level and check for any codes. Also make sure your MAF sensors are dry and plugged in (no frayed wires either). I would suggest you stop trying to drive it if it isn't running right. As someone else said, how is the fuel? Def wouldn't be the battery... if it was dead it wouldn't start at all.

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 04:07 PM

checked the battery and its on tight. Fuel is a lil over half tank. I just disconnected the battery to reset ecu, I will update soon and see if that solves anything. I do have the stillen gen III intakes but those filters are tucked pretty high in the front bumper and i dont think they can get wet that easily.

IDZRVIT · 06-07-2012, 04:41 PM

Gremlins. Yeah, those pesky gremlins have infested your engine.

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 04:59 PM

does anyone know how long our batteries are good for? I was thinking maybe the battery might be going bad. I have a 2009, anyone change their battery yet?

Thechidz · 06-07-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dthem370

I washed the exterior of my car like I always do. I did NOT use any water in the engine bay. I went to start the car and it would just crank and then start for like 1/2 a sec and die out. I kept trying and it finally started but wouldnt pass 3-4 rpms or 30-40 mph. Then parked it and tried it again and it cranked really hard and started up. Then it drove fine. Now it starts normally but if i let it sit for like 10 minutes and try it again it either cranks hard and starts or starts and then dies out. Second try though it will start perfecty. Does anyone know what this can be?

this sounds no bueno, did you check for oil consumption?

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thechidz

this sounds no bueno, did you check for oil consumption?

Yup oil level is fine.

vividracing · 06-07-2012, 05:14 PM

Let the car sit for a while to dry the air filters out. I'd bet that's the issue. You'd be amazed at how wet they can get when you're blasting high pressure water on the front of the car. Your car is basically trying to breath through a wet pillow case right now.

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividracing

Let the car sit for a while to dry the air filters out. I'd bet that's the issue. You'd be amazed at how wet they can get when you're blasting high pressure water on the front of the car. Your car is basically trying to breath through a wet pillow case right now.

Called some places and the dealer and they all said the same thing as you. What I dont understand is why this didnt happen before, because I always wash my car the same way and same place so why now and never the other 100 times before?

vividracing · 06-07-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dthem370

Called some places and the dealer and they all said the same thing as you. What I dont understand is why this didnt happen before, because I always wash my car the same way and same place so why now and never the other 100 times before?

That is odd. All I can guess is that maybe you used the high pressure spray somewhere you haven't sprayed it before? Even at a different angle, it could have been just different enough to let the water get in there.

If you're really curious, you could try looking for signs of water under the hood or behind the bumper.

VDC_OFF · 06-07-2012, 05:54 PM

I have had Nissans for a while and my stock battery never lasted more than a year... but then again I always had a system so idk. Take it in to see if it holds a charge.

corbin09 · 06-07-2012, 05:57 PM

You most likely got your filters or MAF wet. Mine did this in a rain storm yesterday. Just pull the bumper and check everything.

dthem370 · 06-07-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDC_OFF

I have had Nissans for a while and my stock battery never lasted more than a year... but then again I always had a system so idk. Take it in to see if it holds a charge.

Interesting, I put a system in my car not too long ago. Maybe that slowly drained my battery.

06-07-2012, 03:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
dthem370 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 163 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	HELP! washed car and now engine has problems starting I washed the exterior of my car like I always do. I did NOT use any water in the engine bay. I went to start the car and it would just crank and then start for like 1/2 a sec and die out. I kept trying and it finally started but wouldnt pass 3-4 rpms or 30-40 mph. Then parked it and tried it again and it cranked really hard and started up. Then it drove fine. Now it starts normally but if i let it sit for like 10 minutes and try it again it either cranks hard and starts or starts and then dies out. Second try though it will start perfecty. Does anyone know what this can be?

06-07-2012, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
nepali Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 597 Drives: like a maniac! Rep Power: 15	Battery? __________________ '11 SR/6MT/T/S

06-07-2012, 03:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
GaleForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 21,749 Drives: Varis Arising II Rep Power: 51865	Low fuel? __________________ >>>GaleForce's Build<<< >>>FaceBook @3GsCustoms<<<>>>Instagram @GaleForce370z<<< Varis Kamikaze-Z

06-07-2012, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 27	Gremlins. Yeah, those pesky gremlins have infested your engine. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

06-07-2012, 04:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
dthem370 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 163 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	does anyone know how long our batteries are good for? I was thinking maybe the battery might be going bad. I have a 2009, anyone change their battery yet? Last edited by dthem370; 06-07-2012 at 05:00 PM. Reason: actually i take the back, it couldnt be the battery because why would that effect the shifting and stuff.

06-07-2012, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Do you have Injen or other cold air intakes? You might have saturated the filter... give it time to dry out and you should be ok... Otherwise it may be a coincidence... check things like your oil level and check for any codes. Also make sure your MAF sensors are dry and plugged in (no frayed wires either). I would suggest you stop trying to drive it if it isn't running right. As someone else said, how is the fuel? Def wouldn't be the battery... if it was dead it wouldn't start at all.

06-07-2012, 04:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
dthem370 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 163 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	checked the battery and its on tight. Fuel is a lil over half tank. I just disconnected the battery to reset ecu, I will update soon and see if that solves anything. I do have the stillen gen III intakes but those filters are tucked pretty high in the front bumper and i dont think they can get wet that easily.

06-07-2012, 05:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 38 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 39	Let the car sit for a while to dry the air filters out. I'd bet that's the issue. You'd be amazed at how wet they can get when you're blasting high pressure water on the front of the car. Your car is basically trying to breath through a wet pillow case right now. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

06-07-2012, 05:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
VDC_OFF A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston (Pearland) Age: 44 Posts: 1,205 Drives: 2011 370Z M6 Rep Power: 17	I have had Nissans for a while and my stock battery never lasted more than a year... but then again I always had a system so idk. Take it in to see if it holds a charge. __________________ DRIFTING JOURNAL \| Follow me on Instagram \| Facebook \| Houston Halos

06-07-2012, 05:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 280	You most likely got your filters or MAF wet. Mine did this in a rain storm yesterday. Just pull the bumper and check everything.

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