Engine "jerky"

[jawn101]

So I got my heater valve fixed this morning, and after several rounds of pressurizing the coolant system I felt confident enough to take another drive. I wanted to stay close to home just in case. But now I find that the engine seems "jerky" or "shaky" when accelerating or at cruising speeds. It wasn't like that before I had my little coolant accident.

I had to remove the mixture control unit to get at the heater valve this morning. I didn't unhook any of the fuel lines, I just took the idle air pipe out, removed the idle motor, took the WUR off the valve cover and shifted the whole assembly towards the rear of the car by about 6". I also had to disconnect the vacuum to the WUR and the throttle edge tapping.

I've confirmed that the advance solenoid is hooked up correctly, the WUR is connected properly, the throttle edge tapping is connected, and the idle air pipe is sealed. Idle conditions are very good, no different from before this whole mess. The motor starts easily. I checked the main coil connection and it's on there solid.

Clint suggested it could be that when the whole motor got sprayed down with coolant, some of it got into the plug wells? The plug wires I have are nice new silicone ones that seal pretty well. I haven't pulled any to check for moisture in there yet.

What else could this be?

[DMCMW Dave]

The plug wires I have are nice new silicone ones that seal pretty well. I haven't pulled any to check for moisture in there yet.

What else could this be?

Clean out the plug wells. I have no idea how, but when the engine takes a coolant shower it gets in there.

[jawn101]

Clean out the plug wells. I have no idea how, but when the engine takes a coolant shower it gets in there.

Roger that Dave. Do I just pull the wires and wipe the well down? Should I remove the plug or no? I'm guessing not lest whatever's in there end up in the cylinder, right? Any chemicals called for or just some paper towels?

Edit: I just checked the 2 easily accessible plugs and they were dry. Tomorrow I will have to take the airbox and ISM back off and get to the other 4. But the easy to reach ones were the furthest from the coolant explosion.

[Bitsyncmaster]

If it's not the wet plug wells, pull the distributor cap and dry it inside and out. Your problem does suggest ignition related.

[Spittybug]

Depending on the quality and age of your spark plug wires, sometimes just getting them wet is enough to get them to "leak" electrically speaking. Dry them all if you haven't already done so.

[82DMC12]

You could leave the spark plugs installed and just blow the plug wells and the ignition wire sockets out with compressed air. Once they are dry you can remove the plug and wipe them off if needed. That's probably what I would do.

Andy

[jawn101]

Right on guys, thanks for the info. The plug wires are very new (less than a year) silicone ones. I will remove the air cleaner tonight and check the plugs on the right side of the engine, the ones on the left were all dry but they were pretty far from the spray. I'm hoping it's the plugs and not the distributor cap, since we all know that's not particularly easy to access.... (cue Steve telling me to carb my car in 3..2..1..)

[stevedmc]

I'm hoping it's the plugs and not the distributor cap, since we all know that's not particularly easy to access....

Thats strange. It only takes me a few minutes to replace my distributor cap.

[jawn101]

Thats strange. It only takes me a few minutes to replace my distributor cap.

Sigh ;)

[DMC5180]

With all the mucking around you did. Make sure the Vacuum Lines are all Connected too. Especially the tiny hard plastic line that runs low along the back wall. It supplies vacuum to the MODE switch. Your symptoms do suggest Wet ignition leads, but also be sure you didn't knock any loose on the distributor.

[vwdmc16]

Fire up my compressor and use the air nozzle to plug the plug well out, that should do it.

[jawn101]

Fire up my compressor and use the air nozzle to plug the plug well out, that should do it.

I did exactly that. As much as I'd love the floor space back I keep finding uses for that damn thing :)

Plugs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were dry as a bone. Plug #1 (right next to the heater valve) was positively drowning in coolant. It was filled almost to the top of the well. I soaked it out with some towels, blew the well dry, pulled the plug and wiped down the plug and well with a clean damp rag, dried it all, reinstalled the plug and blew out the well again. Everything is running smooth now! Thanks everyone.

[vwdmc16]

Awesome! now drive the shit out of it and we will stop poking it with a stick for a few weeks, in the mean time my car needs a lot of poking.

[sdg3205]

... in the mean time my car needs a lot of poking.

Poke it where it counts ;)

[jawn101]

Poke it where it counts ;)

Do you mean the throttle, or the tailpipe? ;)

Thanks guys, I will. Still taking it a little easy while I reassure myself that she's safe but I'm going to stop doing major work on it for a while now that it's working. Still have to fix the parking brake cable I broke and figure out the fast-flashing turn signals (no bulbs out). I also hosed it down yesterday and it's COVERED in hard water spots now. Time to break out the vinegar I guess. Sigh.

[vwdmc16]

I meant poking with tools is all :lol: mine always needs wrenching


Yeah Jon you have some seriously hard water at your house, my car had tons of spots from where I sprayed the passenger side with your garden hose, had to whip out the blending pad to get them off.