Sparyed motor, now rough idle, check engine light

[dylanborns]

I have an '01 Escape with a V6. This morning, I washed the engine bay and motor with a light spray to clean it up a bit. I tried to stay away from the obvious electrical connections, and really just sprayed the plastic cover and down the firewall. I started it up and pulled it into the garage. About an hour later when it was being pulled out of the garage, it made a noise like it does when the parking brake is on and you try to move it. It also had a real "off" sound to the motor at idle as if it was mis-firing. The check engine light started blinking then would remain on constantly. A trip around the block was normal with plenty of power, but at idle still had the loping sound. The check engine light would blink a few times then become constant again.
To me it sounds like I have water in an electrical connection. I don't have a code reader to get the code, but may be able to run down to OR and have it checked later. If this is an electrical short due to water in a connection, I'm assuming once the water dries, it'll clear up.
Any suggestions?

[Airjer_]

Water in the spark plug tubes. The front three are easy enough to get to the rear three will be the challenge!

[dylanborns]

Can I just blow the areas out around the ignition packs with a compressor? Or should I just put it outside and let the water evaporate?

[dylanborns]

I took the upper manifold cover off and all around the ignition coils is dry, so I don't think any water got on them. I disconnected the neg battery cable and let it sit. I then started it up and it had a rough idle for a few minutes. Check engine light did not light up. Engine had good power and was smooth when I got on the gas. Seemed to be a little smoother at idle until I turned the ac on, then it got really rough. Ac off, car in neutral was smooth but still had a little lope.
Also, the brakes still don't sound right. When I back the vehicle, and hit the brakes, I get that noise that sounds like when your are backing up and the ebrake is on. Don't know if it has anything to do with it, but its definitely not normal.
Its got to have something to do with the cleaning today. I drove it all day yesterday with no issues and again a little this morning before cleaning it.
Should I drive it in this condition, (if I have a bad igpack), and its misfiring, and take it to OR to get the codes read, or should I just wait and let it sit overnight to see if drying out helps? The only standing water I see is around the screws holding the manifold cover on, but I know water could have gotten into a plug and maybe shorting it out.

[dylanborns]

Update on issue. I took it out for a drive for about 30 minutes. It still idles pretty rough, and at times sputters to the point where it feels like its going to die, but doesn't. It seems like it is rougher when I turn the AC on. When I get up to speed, its smooth with no problems. It also seems to run completely smooth when I shift to neutral.
I took it to OR and hooked it up to a code reader, but it showed nothing due to the check engine light not being on.
My next step is to leave the hood open overnight hoping that will help if this is a moisture issue.
Are there any suggestions?
Thanks!

[65comet]

No matter how careful I am, water gets in the spark plug tubes on my 02 V6 when I clean the engine compartment. I remove the front cover, disconnect the wires to the coils, unbolt the coils and remove them. I can usually see water in the right tube. I use a long thin screwdriver and paper towels to soak up as much as possible. I don't want to spray my nice clean engine with any goop by blowing right away, so that is after the paper towels. I then remove the sparkplugs to inspect them, remove any outside rust and moisture. The coil boots usually are damp and need to be dryed as well. The back 3 coils and plug tubes will always have a lot more water in them. I have to unbolt and move the intake manifold to get them out. In my opinion, a very bad design to allow water to so easily enter the tubes.

[bogart219]

Man, I've heard people cleaning their engines but was always scared to death to do it because of what could happen like it did to dylanboms. I have the four cylinder escape.
In dylanboms case what else could he do but let it sit and hope the engine dries out?
I would love to clean my engine but don't have the nerve. I wish someone would make a "how to" post or video

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by bogart219

Man, I've heard people cleaning their engines but was always scared to death to do it because of what could happen like it did to dylanboms. I have the four cylinder escape.
In dylanboms case what else could he do but let it sit and hope the engine dries out?
I would love to clean my engine but don't have the nerve. I wish someone would make a "how to" post or video

You pull out the coils and blow the spark plug tubes out with compressed air. Same thing with a four cylinder.

No matter how long he lets it sit that moisture will be there causing problems. He could get a good scan tool and look at the misfire counters to determine what cylinders specifically he needs to look at but if he blows out the front three and the problem is still there he'll need to pull the plenum (1/2 hour job) and do the rear three.

The four cylinder is much easier!

[bogart219]

Hey Airjer, thanks for the tips. Couple of more questions though.
What do you mean by "blow the spark tubes out"? Do you mean after you wash it?
Also what and how do you suggest to clean the motor? Some kind of engine degreaser, let it sit, then rinse it off with a garden hose?
Any other things I should wrap in plastic? Thanks a million.

Originally Posted by Airjer_

You pull out the coils and blow the spark plug tubes out with compressed air. Same thing with a four cylinder.

No matter how long he lets it sit that moisture will be there causing problems. He could get a good scan tool and look at the misfire counters to determine what cylinders specifically he needs to look at but if he blows out the front three and the problem is still there he'll need to pull the plenum (1/2 hour job) and do the rear three.

The four cylinder is much easier!

[Davescort97]

The best thing to do is to cover the ignition components and the alternator. Use an engine degreaser and rinse it afterwards with a garden hose. Don't take it to the car wash with a high pressure hose. Water will get inside sealed components and will never dry out.

[bogart219]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

The best thing to do is to cover the ignition components and the alternator. Use an engine degreaser and rinse it afterwards with a garden hose. Don't take it to the car wash with a high pressure hose. Water will get inside sealed components and will never dry out.

Will do. Thanks again!