Problem after washing engine comptartment
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97 C280
Problem after washing engine comptartment
Hi All,
I thought I was very careful washing the engine comptartment of my 97 c280: I used no water pressure at all and let it run for at least half an hour afterwards. Now, one day later I am driving the car and suddenly the check engine light is on. And the car runs like crap. It wouldn't even go up the slope on my driveway.
Any ideas what I may have damaged?
The car has only 29k miles.
TIA
I thought I was very careful washing the engine comptartment of my 97 c280: I used no water pressure at all and let it run for at least half an hour afterwards. Now, one day later I am driving the car and suddenly the check engine light is on. And the car runs like crap. It wouldn't even go up the slope on my driveway.
Any ideas what I may have damaged?
The car has only 29k miles.
TIA
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
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97 C280
It was water...
The engine in my car is designed in such a way that any water poured on top of it, goes directly into the spark plug wells. I just found out doing some research after my original post... And I did pour water on it to wash down the degreaser.
So I went on to remove the black middle cover and ... the spark plugs were drowned! Using pieces of terry cloth, I sponged out the water and the car is running almost like before. I drove it for a while and by tomorrow it should be as good as new.
The only prob is that the CEL is still on. Is there a way to clear it myself or do I have to go to the dealer to have it done?
Thanks
So I went on to remove the black middle cover and ... the spark plugs were drowned! Using pieces of terry cloth, I sponged out the water and the car is running almost like before. I drove it for a while and by tomorrow it should be as good as new.
The only prob is that the CEL is still on. Is there a way to clear it myself or do I have to go to the dealer to have it done?
Thanks
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
you can pull the negative terminal of the battery for a min and plug it back. That will reset it, BUT you will need your radio code to enter into the radio as everything resets in the car! 
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by GDawgC220
you can pull the negative terminal of the battery for a min and plug it back. That will reset it, BUT you will need your radio code to enter into the radio as everything resets in the car!
-s-
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From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
You've either fouled out your spark plugs or fried you air mass meter. I'd believe both. It happened to me and cost 600 dollars to fix. I'll just leave a little grease on the engine than have to deal with that again.
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97 C280
Originally Posted by DougandhisC280
You've either fouled out your spark plugs or fried you air mass meter. I'd believe both. It happened to me and cost 600 dollars to fix. I'll just leave a little grease on the engine than have to deal with that again.
Thx
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by GDawgC220
thanks for the kind response
Why they can't just have NV or flash RAM for parameters, I don't understand. But there must be a reason... although there is NV memory for errors, which is mandated by Federal law.
-s-
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I did the same thing on my C36. Then of course water right in the plugs. I hooked up to my ODBII reader and the got cylinder misfires. So I would say replace the plugs. That's what I did and my issue was fixed. 
Make sure you use copper plugs BTW, Get then from the dealer $2.50 each.
Make sure you use copper plugs BTW, Get then from the dealer $2.50 each.
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97 C280
Originally Posted by RocketR
I did the same thing on my C36. Then of course water right in the plugs. I hooked up to my ODBII reader and the got cylinder misfires. So I would say replace the plugs. That's what I did and my issue was fixed.
Make sure you use copper plugs BTW, Get then from the dealer $2.50 each.
Make sure you use copper plugs BTW, Get then from the dealer $2.50 each.
BTW, where did you get the OBDII reader and how much? I need to get one to clear the CEL and for future use.
Thanks
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97 C280
Problem solved?
Replaced the plugs and everything seems to be back to normal: engine revving as smoothly as before.
Now how do I clear the CEL without handing $100+ to the stealer?
Thx everyone!
Now how do I clear the CEL without handing $100+ to the stealer?
Thx everyone!
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97 C280
Pleasant surprise: the CEL is cleared!
The CEL is cleared by itself!
Everyone here seemed to think that it would have to be with some kind of intervention (OBDII or battery disconnect), but I started the car this aft, and the light went off.
What happened? Do I have a special car or what!?
Everyone here seemed to think that it would have to be with some kind of intervention (OBDII or battery disconnect), but I started the car this aft, and the light went off.
What happened? Do I have a special car or what!?
