hesitant in damp conditions
Discussion
Hi
Actually conditions were like driving six feet behind a pressure washer this morning on the motorway. My engine wasn't happy. It feels like damp is getting into the ignition system. Everything was doused in WD40 fairly recently. I wonder if I should fit some new HT leads and caps/boots?
Anyone cured a dampness related misfire like this?
PS My foam airfilter should be immune to damp shouldn't it.
Actually conditions were like driving six feet behind a pressure washer this morning on the motorway. My engine wasn't happy. It feels like damp is getting into the ignition system. Everything was doused in WD40 fairly recently. I wonder if I should fit some new HT leads and caps/boots?
Anyone cured a dampness related misfire like this?
PS My foam airfilter should be immune to damp shouldn't it.
If it's been a serious soaking and everything on the air intake side of things checks out OK, my money is on the leads. I've had the same problem twice (coolant hose let go, and absent minded pressure washing with part open bonnet... oops!).
Dry the plug wells, then pull the plugs and dry them too, dry out the coil pack and make sure the two supply connectors are dry as well. Dry the MAF sensor plug and give everything a nice light mist of the ol' WD - get it right into the ends of the HT leads.
Whilst you have the plugs out, turn the engine over a couple of times to blow out anything that might have made it in - although I'd have expected some nasty noises by now if that was the case. Disconnect the main air pipe at the throttle butterfly (big jubilee clip, only takes a minute) and check it's dry inside too. If it's full of cruddy oil from the breather return, now's a good time to bung some carb cleaner down there and give it a wipe.
Let it all air for a bit, give it a go, then stand back and curse when the f
ker still doesn't work and new leads cures it. Get some nice silicone ones, they seem to be more waterproof than old cracked rubber ones. 
Dry the plug wells, then pull the plugs and dry them too, dry out the coil pack and make sure the two supply connectors are dry as well. Dry the MAF sensor plug and give everything a nice light mist of the ol' WD - get it right into the ends of the HT leads.
Whilst you have the plugs out, turn the engine over a couple of times to blow out anything that might have made it in - although I'd have expected some nasty noises by now if that was the case. Disconnect the main air pipe at the throttle butterfly (big jubilee clip, only takes a minute) and check it's dry inside too. If it's full of cruddy oil from the breather return, now's a good time to bung some carb cleaner down there and give it a wipe.
Let it all air for a bit, give it a go, then stand back and curse when the f
ker still doesn't work and new leads cures it. Get some nice silicone ones, they seem to be more waterproof than old cracked rubber ones. Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff