14 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHMajor Problem(IMS?), please help!
Leading reported evidence
Check around the engine bay
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I immediately stopped the car and checked around the engine bay, but everything looked alright.
Leading evidence: 'Check around the engine bay' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'coils and the engine behavior was the result' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check around the engine bay' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I unplugged & reconnected the battery and the check engine light has not come on since then.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I changed my oil a few months ago before a track day and cut open the old oil filter.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
My guess is that if you find no signs of any moisture/wetness the car washing got some water on the engine probably the coils and the engine behavior was the result.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Check all carpets in the cabin and trunks for any signs of dampness.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
coils and the engine behavior was the result
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
My guess is that if you find no signs of any moisture/wetness the car washing got some water on the engine probably the coils and the engine behavior was the result.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
14 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Hi everyone,
So I go to wash my car today at a diy high pressure washer. As soon as I start the car up after the wash, I get a very rough idle, with rpms fluctuating, and the check engine light comes on. I immediately stopped the car and checked around the engine bay, but everything looked alright. I started it up again and this time the engine rpm was constant, but the sound was off. The check engine light flickered on and off a few times, then stayed on. I decided to drive the 2 minutes back to my garage. At all rpms above idle, the engine sounded and responded fine.
So I have to ask the dreaded question... do you guys think this is IMS, or something else? I changed my oil a few months ago before a track day and cut open the old oil filter. There was no trace of metal shards, and the engine has been performing fine.
I'm wondering if maybe some water got inside the ecu. I don't understand how else a car wash could cause something like this.
Thanks AJ. Unfortunately I don't have an obd reader and my local tech is closed on weekends. If it is any of the parts you mentioned, this something that'll correct itself after the car dries?
Did you wash the engine? Get it wet?
Also, check that the car drains are ok and no water accumulated from a blocked drain and put water in the cabin or a seal around the rear trunk allowed some water to get into the rear trunk. The car's DME is located against the front wall of the rear trunk. Check all carpets in the cabin and trunks for any signs of dampness.
My guess is that if you find no signs of any moisture/wetness the car washing got some water on the engine probably the coils and the engine behavior was the result.
As long as the engine is not making scary noises or producing any other scary symptoms that suggest a more serious (and internal) engine problem letting the engine idle and get hot will drive the water out of wherever it got into.
Sincerely,
Macster.
go to Advance Auto or Auto Zone, they will check it with their OBD meter. My guess there is nothing wrong. If no major problem the parts store will not delete the code but you are allowed can if you ask.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies. I let the car idle for 10 minutes, and the engine sounded fine. I unplugged & reconnected the battery and the check engine light has not come on since then. As everyone's said, it looks like something was wet. Of course, as soon as I saw that check engine light I instantly thought ims
I'm just surprised in my years of ownership that this is the first time I've had this problem after a wash.
Man, I hope nothing is wrong. I would have it checked out if you are not able to do it yourself get it to your mechanic. I am still waiting to get my engine back. The engine ships out to CA this week. Mine had no indication what so ever and then I lost power and smoke was shooting out the back. Mine was a blown gasket. It is costing me a lot to get it fixed. Before this happened to me I may have given you different advice. I am not trying to scare you, it is probably nothing but your down side could be huge if it is something. I would play it safe.
I hope it is just a little moisture issue.
running rough is not the same as "sounds like marbles in a coffee can"
esp after a was with power hose - you may want to inspect your coil packs
(and change your IMS so you can stop "wondering" if every noise is the dreaded tick tick boom)
Yeah... I'm waiting for the clutch to go to do the ims. You'd think with all the autocross flogging, the clutch would be dead by now but it seems just fine!
+1000000000000
BTW, My ignition switch is acting up again. I changed the electric switch only(not the whole mechanical mechanism) about 1-2 years ago. Do you think it may be my IMS?
