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Rough idle after going through water

Old Jun 12, 2011 | 05:16 PM
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Default Rough idle after going through water

It rained VERY hard today in PA. After awhile of driving through this heavy rain my truck started to idle really rough. I popped the hood and the liner up top (attached to hood) was wet but my CAI was completely dry along with the box surrounding it. I am puzzled as to what this could be now. There can't possibly be water in the engine as everything but the liner in the engine compartment is dry.

There are no codes at all.

Please help!
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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All it takes is for the plug wires, or distributor to get wet, and you get rough running. Once it dries out, it will be fine again.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 05:46 PM
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I hope so, I hate thinking so pessamistically.

I went out and started it again and I noticed a strong smell of exhaust (stronger than usual). Does that help to pinpoint anything?
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 07:44 PM
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Only that the wind was probably blowing from back, to front.....

Take a look and make sure that the seal between the hood, and the cowl, right at the firewall is in place correctly. Otherwise, it lets water run down onto the distributor.... and will give you these kinds of problems.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 08:46 PM
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Seal has to be leaking, I don't see how else the lining would be soaked.

How long does it take to dry out? Anyway I can speed the process up? It has been 5 hours since the rain.

I tried driving it for a little, truck "bounces" when idling and struggles to accelerate. When going along at a constant speed it seems normal.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 09:58 PM
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Take off the dist cap, and dry it out...... make sure all your wires are dry as well. If it's dark out, start the truck with the hood open, and see if you see a light show. If you do, time for new plug wires.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 11:25 PM
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Shoot the cap, plugs, and coil with compressed air, or wd-40. It'll displace the water.

Pretty sure that is what the "WD" in WD-40 stands for.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 12:06 PM
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Thank you HeyYou and aim4squirrels!

Truck is back to normal, now to replace that seal...
 
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