Washing engine blues
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New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
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Washing engine blues
Came home today with my new(er) 2004 F-250 V-10. Got it from a guy who lives in the country and the engine compartment was dusty and dirty. So I took it to the carwash and sprayed away. Big mistake. Truck started to cough and miss. I got it parked and let it sit. It was better four hours later, but there was still a rough idle that wasn't there yesterday. I'm hoping it's OK in the morning. I've always washed the motors of my cars. I thought a clean engine was a happy engine. Could I have shorted something out?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
Like 92f150 said, probably a faulty boot, the rubber boot that goes from cop to spark plug. cop = Coil on Plug. Easy to change them out and use dielectric grease on them when you do it. Also while in there you can blow out with compressed air the spark plug sockets. Might as well clean them out, and sometimes u will get water down there it boots are bad.
Just a myth about cleaning the motors with cops. Just be more carefull, and up to date with maint and you should have no problems. Lots of us clean them.
Welcome to FTE!
Just a myth about cleaning the motors with cops. Just be more carefull, and up to date with maint and you should have no problems. Lots of us clean them.
Welcome to FTE!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg, PA
I just had my whole engine bay sprayed clean at the dealer while my truck was in for service, cost me 5 bucks and the engine bay looks brand new! im dead serious, looks better than the day I bought the truck new. Everything was covered in mud, I couldnt beleive how clean it is.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: Rogue River, Oregon
I was at the dealer a few days ago and saw one of their detail guys pressure-washing the engine bay of an F350, prepping it for the used lot, so it can't be too hard on anything.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
The spark plug holes are really deep and water can pool down there. With water sitting in the plug recess its only a matter of time before water gets into a COP boot and causes a miss. Replace all the COP boots and blow any water out. If the plugs are original or have over 50k on them I would change the plugs also.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
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From: Juneau, ALASKA
I don't know on the newer truck my way of thinking of it is "would you open up your computer and power wash it"
That is one of those things I would take it to the dealer then if it starts acting up you can take it back and tell them you broke it you fix it
That is one of those things I would take it to the dealer then if it starts acting up you can take it back and tell them you broke it you fix it
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Pull ALL of the COPs. Clean out the spark plug holes with compressed air (be careful of your eyes) and let them dry out.
Remove the boots from the COPs. If they are dry and/or cracked, replace them with new.
Blow them out with air, make sure they are completely dry.
Reassemble boot to COP with dielectric grease around the COP where the boot seals to the COP. Put dielectric grease around the tip of the boot where it seals to the plug, and a good bead around the boot where it seals to the head.
I wash my motors regularly, fully knowing that I am going to get water in the spark plug holes. I always pull the COPs (or the wires, on the Cougar) and make sure they are dry.
Remove the boots from the COPs. If they are dry and/or cracked, replace them with new.
Blow them out with air, make sure they are completely dry.
Reassemble boot to COP with dielectric grease around the COP where the boot seals to the COP. Put dielectric grease around the tip of the boot where it seals to the plug, and a good bead around the boot where it seals to the head.
I wash my motors regularly, fully knowing that I am going to get water in the spark plug holes. I always pull the COPs (or the wires, on the Cougar) and make sure they are dry.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 725
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From: Gettysburg, PA
