99 F150 4X4 scab - 5.4 engine, 65K miles - I degreased and spray washed my engine compartment today at one of those coin-op lots like I have done many times before. I left the engine running while doing so. After I left I drove for approximately 10 miles of city driving without incident and then parked for about 20 minutes. When I returned and started up my truck it was like the thing was running on 5 cylinders at best. It seemed to get better for periods and then get worse. I almost turned it off several times but the problem was obviously a missing cyl or two. I drove to my dealership and they called tonight and said that one of the coils was bad. Like I said the truck felt like it was running way worse than 1/8 less than usual. Will one bad coil cause other problems to make the problem seem to be greater than one off cyl. or did my local dealership stop at the first problem and there may be more? Also should I not clean my engine like this? I have done this many times with different trucks and never had a problem. I have to think something I did at the 'quickie-wash' caused the whole situation..... I am sure going to think twice before doing that again.... thanks for any advice!!!!

 

I can't help with your problem, but I have literally read a dozen stories like this, and that's why I'm scared *****less to clean/wash my engine compartment.

I have a brand new can of "GUNK" sitting in my garage, and I doubt I'll ever use it.

Maybe I'll let the dealer detail it, hehe

Good luck!
Habibi

 

Simple Green works wonders and is safe with a low pressure stream of water.

 

Always cover up senstive objects like coils and the air intake. I even find water seeping by the dipstick seals. Use a low pressure water stream (garden hose) and decent degreaser with the engine OFF and cool (or at best mildly warm). NEVER spray down a hot engine! You risk cracking the block and heads as well as the exhaust manifolds.

 

mtofell,

I guess you are one of the unlucky ones. I have been powerwashing for years. I cover my exposed K&N with a bag and try, mind you try, to not spray the coils. I some times use foam tire cleaner and wash it off with the garden hose. Like crashz said never hose a hot engine.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier