TheSamba.com :: View topic - did a stupid thing

Wed Mar 19, 2003 5:21 pm

Last night I tried to steam clean the engine compartmnent in my 68 bus - just wanted it clean to keep it running cool. Hit it with a spray can of Gunk and coin op power spray. It started up right away but then when I got it home it stalled in front of my house and now the ignition won't turn over. At least it died in front of the house. Where are the likely causes of this. Quick solutions. I'm sure it's related to water getting into places it shouldn't electrical, etc.

Wed Mar 19, 2003 5:35 pm

Remove the distributor cap and dry out the inside of the cap and distributor with a paper towel. Compressed air works well if you have it available. Then give everything a nice coating of WD-40. This should work, but even if it doesn't then it will get you that much closer to starting. Once you get it started you need to drive long enough to warm the engine up and evaporate all the moisture in all the wrong places. You should also check your oil after driving to make certain it didn't get water in the oil somehow. If it looks the least bit milky or cloudy then change it. A clean engine that is free of excess grease, oil, and dirt will run cooler than a dirty one so don't be afraid to keep it cleaned in the future. I usually wrap a plastic bag around my distributor and put a rubber band around it before I clean the engine compartment. Cleaning the engine from the bottom side is most important and you should make a habit of it once a month or so and more if you drive in dusty conditions. Good luck.

Thu Mar 20, 2003 6:32 am

If it's completely dead, check the simple stuff first. Battery terminals clean & tight ? connections to the starter clean & tight ?

Thu Mar 20, 2003 6:43 am

Connections to the coil clean and tight too.