misfire after gunking the engine

[ecksman]

1994 325is

so today me and my friend changed his spark plugs, valve cover gasket and oil. after that it ran a lot better than it did it before, due to lack of simple maintence from the previous owner. then he takes it home gunks the engine bay he said sprayed pretty much everything. now he has a misfire, sounds like its one cylinder isn't firing or its off timing. im thinking he messed up sensor or connection somewhere. no check engine light and it smells like its running rich but no smoke, atleast one that u can see at night(just happened). while it was i disconnected the sensor on top of the first butterfly on the throttle body, no difference at all. then i disconnected the sensor the firewall side the throttle body, it started to bog so i plugged it back in. then i disconnected the mass air sensor and it bogged and the CEL came on. after that i began to over the coil wires and found that one of the wires was twisted once. i twisted it back and no change. do u think it may of kinked or split a wire? i pulled the boot back where it was twisted and they seemed fine.

tommorow, well later im gonna check to see if each cylinder is getting spark and fuel.

if u guys have any suggestions with this or had any experience please let me know, im feeling somewhat defeated by this thing even though i haven't really gotten into it

[Conehead]

I think the simple thing is water.

The problems started after the engine was sprayed.

Get some water disperser and spray it on the electrics.

I think that might fix the problem

Cone
XXX

[ecksman]

u think it would be ok to wet everything, well again? couldn't that cause more damage?

[crowz]

I prefer the hair dryer method :)

Just start using it on the stuff under the hood. Then try cranking it from time to time as you dry off a section. You will know when you find whats causing the problem.

[ecksman]

i was thinking about using a hairdryer, probabley try that tommorow if all else fails

[ecksman]

what sensors do u think would cause it to misfire, its sounds like a WRX

[Pirate_copy]

Coil pack or MAS could be wet buddy

[DominguesE30]

this is one reason why u shouldnt wash your engine bay...

[Pirate_copy]

+1

[DominguesE30]

:thumbup:
+1000

[Pirate_copy]

A clean engine is always good though as it makes it easier to find oil leaks :)

[DominguesE30]

well if ur buying a car and the engine bay is super clean, it may infact hide oil leaks. Until you buy it and drive it home and realise your engine is pissing out oil through all the gaskets and sh!t
Woohooooo! how fun...

[twilkins0306]

I had power steering fluid from leak and sprayed the engine on the driver side. Next day sputter sputter. OBD II code 0306 which is cylinder 6 misfire.. Put new plug in this morning back to normal.//.
T