Running like crap

[MrGrey]

Hi guys
yesterday I did an oil change (which went smoothly) and afterwards I noticed the engine was a little dusty so I gave it a squirt with the hose.

today when I started it up, she was idling rough at low revs (making a put put put sound) and was sluggish when taking off. I assumed that water has gotten in somewhere it shouldn't and took it for a 10km drive and she is sounding better but when cruising at 100km she felt ever so slightly surge'y so i am hoping that normal driving will dry out what is plaguing her at the mo'

it also seems like she is idling at a lower RPM than usual (about 100-200 rpm)

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what to check or look at to see if I can diagnose exactly what is wrong with her.

Thanks in advance.

[WideOpenThrottle]

More than likely got water in where your spark plug leads go into the cam cover..try compressed air with the leads removed.

[broomfish]

WOT he said
If you dont have compressed air, last resort is to remove the plugs and let the water drain down down the spark plug holes, then reassemble and the water will burn off/come out through the exhaust.

[MrGrey]

Thanks for the help guys, you were bang on the money!

the cavity for the sparkplug at the rear of the engine had about 3 desert spoons of water in there and after a good blow out with some compressed air she is running smooth as a ken dolls genital region

thanks again!

[NicF]

Funny, I had exactly the same problem pop up over Christmas, one day ran fine, next day 2-3 cylinders and backfiring. I hadn't washed it though. It turned out to be failed plugs, which was a relief, because I was suspecting a coil pack.

I've never known plugs to fail overnight like that though.