Engine and MAF sensor issues after light spray?

[LavisLane]

After a small oil spill on the LHS of the engine bay, I ran a quick and very cautiuos clean up with engine cleaner and a light spray with the hose. This has lead to big issues!

The engine now splutters terribly, low revs in idle, running very rich, can't stay running under load. It's surely electrical/fuel related but not sure where...

This happened once before but sorted itself out by the end of the day. I assumed water had fouled something and dried out again.

After the last issue, I'm super cautious about spraying water around the engine bay, even covering the alternator in a plastic bag. But, it's got in somewhere... :( Obvioulsly for a 4WD, this shouldn't happen - as it's the same condition as driving through a puddle. Something was already a miss..

Graeme Cooper have ID'd the MAF sensor as having an issue. They've run it with a test MAF sensor they have on site and thee engine is working better but still struggling. I'm not convinced that's where the water has got in as I was especially careful around that area and checked the whole air system afterwards. I've also recently cleaned the MAF sensor with isopropyl spray.

Graeme Cooper are still looking into the issue - has anyone run into this before? I'm thinking this is likely part of a bigger problem and may be the cause of low power in the low end.

Most urgently - Does anyone know where I can get a cheap MAF sensor?!

Thanks,

Dave

(obligatory photo of said issues attached below...)

[Rupert Prior]

what year model have you got? some models will run normally with the airflow meter disconnected.
water can get into the crank angle sensor connector and associated wiring.
if the water shorts out the plug leads the plugs can get fowled and not recover eventually taking the oxygen sensors with then (if your model has them).
take the plugs out from both banks and check them (all 8) at the same time sight check and omh check the leads and coil packs. dry out the wiring to the crank angle sensor.

[LavisLane]

what year model have you got? some models will run normally with the airflow meter disconnected.
water can get into the crank angle sensor connector and associated wiring.
if the water shorts out the plug leads the plugs can get fowled and not recover eventually taking the oxygen sensors with then (if your model has them).
take the plugs out from both banks and check them (all 8) at the same time sight check and omh check the leads and coil packs. dry out the wiring to the crank angle sensor.

Thanks for the tips Rupert - it's a 97 4.6. Forgot to mention - I've already tried running it with the sensor disconnected with no luck.

Crank angle sensor and leads sound like a direction...

[redandy3575]

You know...this is so weird that nearly all of us are having the same or similar problems around the same time. I reckon it has to be something in the atmosphere. No seriously...i've got just about the same issue. I've checked the MAF sensor which is ok, then cleaned the throttle body, removed and cleaned the stepper motor to which improved the idle and running considerably but not quiet. I'm now awaiting the arrival of a new throttle sensor which i hope will fix the problem once and for all.

[DT-P38]

all on early models too by the sounds of it...

cue twilight zone music

I would say it's a combination of solar flares, radiation and the evil darklord Lucas (controller of early P38 electrickerey)!

[LavisLane]

Back from Graeme Coopers last night. Running again after a changing the crank angle sensor. Apparently it had a been damaged and had a chunk missing. Not sure how this relates to the water issue...

Still a little low power in the low end. Will update as this evolves...

Dave

[wayneg]

Good to read you have sorted the issue. I was going to comment before that I regularly blast my engine and bay with a jet wash and have never had a single problem.

[wanglemoose]

sounds to me that the crank sensor has had a problem for a while and the wash was what tipped it over the edge.

[DT-P38]

Back from Graeme Coopers last night. Running again after a changing the crank angle sensor. Apparently it had a been damaged and had a chunk missing. Not sure how this relates to the water issue...

Still a little low power in the low end. Will update as this evolves...

Dave

That's exactly what I was told about mine... missing chunk(s)... I still havent replaced mine, but the mech at the time said he was able to clean it up and she has run ok since (3 years+). Still keeping an eye on e-bay UK for a decent (and dirt cheap) second hand one though.

Glad you got yours sorted too.