I'm planning to change the water pump on my 91 F150 I6 tomorrow. In getting ready to do the job I sprayed on some degreaser on the engine and then hosed it off. Even though I was trying to be careful to not spray the distributor, alternator, plugs, etc. I seem to have done just that.

One of the cylinders is missing; not sure which one(s), but it's noticeable. Was in a rush and the truck isn't my daily driver, so I took my other car to work and leave it running funny.

I'm assuming the problem is water somewhere between the distributor and the plugs. Planning on spraying a little WD-40 on both ends of each plug wire as well as under the distributor cap. Are there any other common corrections for this stupid mistake that I should know of/do?

 

It's not really a stupid mistake, the engine is supposed to be able to get wet. It happens all the time when it rains and you drive, although to a lesser extent. The problem is likely the distributor cap.

 

Yeah, it was pretty much just the distributor cap. After spraying a little penetrating oil to displace the water it only missed at highway speeds, and only a little bit. Disconnected and sprayed the wires, put that dielectric goo on the plugs like I should have when I first installed them, and everything is good.

Water pump and thermostat went well too.

Thx

 

When ever I would pressure wash an engine or compartment, I would have the engine running. This way you can tell right away if its getting wet in the wrong places. With the engine at idle, the exhaust manifolds are not hot enough to crack with the water on them.