1993 Saturn SL2 running problems

MySaturnYouNV · 11-29-2004, 08:59 PM

Hello, i own a 1993 saturn sl2 and have loved it, not once had a problem with it since i purchased it about a month ago.

Yesterday i decided the engine needed a bit of clean up work so i decided to buy a few cans of degreaser and take it to a car wash so i could pressure wash it. I pull up to the washer, turn the car off, pop the hood and spay the cans of degreaser all over the engine (making sure my air intake filter was covered) and then i got the pressure washer and sprayed the engine off thouroghly...It smoked a bit when the water hit the intake manifold but i figured it wasnt that big of a deal, after i was done the engine was MUCH cleaner...i thought i did a job well done...i took the bag off of the filter...

I get in the car crank it up and drive home perfectly fine...no problems at all...

Today i drove to a friends house and again it ran perfect on the way there...but when i decided to come home....its started acting funny...i backed it out and it bounced and sputtered like it was about to stall or it was chiking itself of gas. So i put it in first gear and give it some gas and let off of the clutch and it puttered and bounced some, and i stalled it. so i crank it back up and give it some more gas, had to give it like 3k rpms and drop the clutch extreamly slow to get it to start up, and even then it bounces and sputters like its about to die. After all this i was pretty low on gas and i figured it was running on crappy old gas and stuff, so i drove it the station and got some and it didnt help...

At some points it feels almost normal then it goes back to sputtering and kicking, almost like back fireing...and doesnt get up to speed very well...i was thinkin that when i pressure washed it, water might have gotten into the engine somehow, but im not entirely sure...

I managed to get it all the way home...got to speeds of 55...but it definatly didnt run good at all...

If you can help me out i'd greatly appriciate it, thanks

Steve

Anony00GT · 11-30-2004, 12:25 AM

Pressure washers should NEVER be used on modern fuel-injected computer controlled engines. You're lucky it started at all afterwards. That being said...

Start with the obvious - plugs, wires, fuel filter. It sounds like you may have a clogged fuel filter, but check to make sure the wires are properly connected, check terminals for corrosion, etc.

Also, check your EGR valve to make sure it's not stuck.

blackeagle · 11-30-2004, 02:03 PM

Check the wells that the spark plugs are in to see if they might be full of water.

roc87 · 11-30-2004, 08:30 PM

sounds exactly like what mine is doing.does it run fine until it sorta warms up?then it gets rough with no power,almost like it jumped timing or something?once you get to 50 or so,it can barely hold it,then it gets terrible again if you press the accelerator?we'll keep in touch on it

MySaturnYouNV · 11-30-2004, 10:27 PM

roc87, Pretty much man...i managed 55 coming home but every time i hit the gas harder it sputtered and jerked like it was about to die, sounds pretty much like what you described...

roc87 · 12-01-2004, 02:15 AM

yeah,mine does the same thing.it runs fine after first cranking it and running on the computers programmed settings,but when it warms up a couple of minutes and starts running on it own sensors it gets haywire.i have tried new plugs and wires and ignition modules,didn't help any.somebody said to check the 02 sensor,but i don't think that it would cause all of that comotion.i'll keep in touch if i get it worked out

Robert-sl2 · 12-01-2004, 04:11 AM

Pop out your spark plug boots from the plug ends, roll up a paper towel and use a screw driver to carefully soak the waterout of the wells. by now the plug wire boots and plug contacts might be coroded from passing electricity through them so they might need to be replaced.

Every time I wash my engine (2-3 times a year) that is the first thing I do after washing. ALSO, NEVER wash a hot engine!! you risk cracking your intake manifold, exhaust manifold and other vital parts (that steam is a sign that you are cooling very hot metal very fast which is very stressful on it and if you do it way to fast it will crack). Before washing an engine it should be stone cold ( I let mine sit overnite usually) then warm it up for just a few minutes (this helps tough grease come loose), then wash it with engine cleaner and a garden hose, let it dry for a bit, then crank it. This is the method I have used for several years and I have yet to have a problem.

Rob

MySaturnYouNV · 12-04-2004, 11:02 PM

Hey, thanks for all of your advice people, ive done all that you said and it seems like it worked...got in the car today and it ran perfect...hopefully ive learned my lesson and i will not do something stupid like that again...