Sputtering after washing engine

Moeses18 · Post by **Moeses18** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:12

Ok my Volvo 850 has been running fine for a week after sitting for over a year. Today I took it to the car wash and sprayed down the engine....while driving it to dry it off I noticed a sputter...got home and blew everything off to make sure it wasn't something wet...noticed a small vacuum hose disconnected, hooked it back up and it idled fine. Took it out for a drive and it's still sputtering, it's fine in park and neutral, when I put it in drive it idles a little rough and sputters. Not sure what it could be, also notice a small whining sound near the timing belt cover when I rev the engine. Not sure when the timing belt was last changed but am gonna call the dealership where it has been serviced to find out...for now want to know where to start looking for the problem causing the sputter. Also the turbo gauge wasn't working before washing the engine, now it is working again. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

atefitty · Post by **atefitty** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:16

You got water under the spark plug cover when you washed it..take the cover off and blow out the water with an air hose

Moeses18 · Post by **Moeses18** » 02 Mar 2011, 21:24

Under the main cap or under the single wire that goes over and plugs into the box over the driver side tire well? Sorry for the dumb questions but I'm a newbie to Volvos...thanks for the quick reply!!!

percolate · Post by **percolate** » 02 Mar 2011, 22:04

That big black flat cover that says "Volvo 20 Valve" or something like that. Immediately behind the oil filler cap. Six or eight Torx screws to remove it.

Post by **JRL** » 03 Mar 2011, 07:44

If that doesn't work, you may need new plugs and wires (in other words a partial tune up)
You cap could also have gotten water inside, if you did, complete the tune up with a new cap and rotor

JPC412 · Post by **JPC412** » 06 Mar 2011, 20:22

I am pretty sure that you have gotten moisture inside of the distributor cap.

Take it off, there are only 3 bolts, and inspect it for water droplets. Wipe it clean with a clean dry rag and you should be sorted.

This happened to me the first time I cleaned my engine. I was used to cleaning the engine on my old diesel Volkswagen and overlooked the distributor cap. From then on, I have always wrapped a plastic grocery bag around the distributor and everything has been good.

Brazuca_ny · Post by **Brazuca_ny** » 07 Mar 2011, 04:06

JPC is correct, water on the distributor cap will do it, itll dry up and engine will be back to normal.