What Causes Car Shaking After Washing the Engine with Water?
2 Answers
Because a small amount of water entered the high-voltage wires during car washing, and the engine air filter element got wet, leading to increased intake resistance and water entering the combustion chamber, resulting in poor ignition system performance. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. Ignition system issue: Check the working condition of the spark plugs, high-voltage wires, and ignition coils. Poor performance of the ignition system or inadequate spark plug firing can also cause such fault symptoms. 2. Unstable oil pressure: It is recommended to have a professional repair shop check the fuel supply pressure and whether the intake pressure sensor is functioning normally. If the fuel pump supply pressure is abnormal or the intake pressure sensor values are incorrect or malfunctioning, it can cause the car body to shake.
I've been driving for decades and have encountered situations where the car shakes after washing the engine with water. This is most likely because water has entered the ignition system, causing the spark plugs or high-voltage wires to get wet and fail to ignite, making the engine shake like it's gasping for breath. I remember one time when I washed my car and hurried to drive off, only to have it shake like crazy halfway; the reason was that sensors like the crankshaft position sensor were short-circuited by water. I immediately pulled over, opened the hood, and let it air dry for half an hour before it got better. So, try to avoid washing the engine with water—modern cars have a lot of electronic components, and getting them wet can easily cause trouble. If the car is already shaking, don’t panic; first, let it dry naturally. If that doesn’t work, quickly check the ignition coils and related wiring. Safety first—developing good habits can save you a lot of trouble.
