Hi guys,

My car engine is a 4age 20valve blacktop. I clean the throttle body by opening all the plenum intakes and spray the carburetor cleaner. Now the car cannot start. I need help..

Thanks

You spray with the engine running or not running?

Not running.. Darn..I think this is my mistake. Can the carburetor cleaner evaporates after some time?

Not running...

Not sure what carburetor cleaner ingredients are. But probably a solvent with additives. Dunno how long to evaporate.

Have you tried stepping on the accelerator pedal while cranking the engine?

Yes, tried that. Could my spark plug become wet because of the cleaner?

Yes, tried that. Could my spark plug become wet because of the cleaner?

Only way to know is to take out the spark plugs and look at it.

wow this is a worry because i'm also using blacktop and planning to do a TB clean.

when u crank the engine, what sound?

maybe the electronics are wet (u know lah, old engine, old wires, maybe got some unprotected areas)

wait for 1 or 2 hours more and try starting it again. update us here.

Sounds like normal cranking. Just that the engine couldn't start. Took out the spark plugs and clean it with cloth. A tiny bit wet on 2 spark plugs. I wonder how long i have to wait..

do u have hair dryer? use that instead of cloth. if still can't start after that, try to jump start the car, maybe battery not enough powah....

these are the simplest stuff i can think of that u can do at home at the moment.

This post has been edited by stormlcc: Jul 21 2013, 05:47 PM

Battery just changed to new one 3 months ago.. Damn starting to regret doing diy...

so have u tried the hairdrier thingy? any improvements?

Nope, because I don't have a hairdryer. Anyway, I went out to eat, came back, disconnect everything and reconnect it. Got into my car, sayang it a bit, then turned the key. It struggled a bit (4 seconds) then it came to life!! However idling was bad, then it died after awhile. Tried second time, it also can start, rough idling, then hold it at 4k rpm for 10 seconds. After that totally ok already. Smooth. Revv it also smooth.

Took it for a ride, no more jerking during slowing down. Means problem solved!

Conclusion: When you wanted to start your car, don't be in a grumpy mood. Your car will be scared and refuses to start. Need to sayang it 1.

Maybe it has finally dried up or maybe the connection of the wiring no good earlier.
Anyway, thanks everyone for your kind suggestions

Congrats... do clean it with the engine running if you planning to spray it deeply into the TB and intake manifold the next time.

Preferably with two persons. One to rev the engine while the other spray.

That's normal la. When you spray cleaners into your TB & intake, the start up will be more difficult and will need a bit persistent cranking. But using carb cleaner, it's better to spray when engine is on. Btw rather than using carb cleaner, should've used foam type cleaner like GZox or DCS cause they are even stronger cleaners and would be easier to start up even when you spray when engine is off. I used to do this every 10K myself, and I even spray GZox directly inside the combustion chamber of each cylinder thru the spark plug holes.

Try to start your car by pressing the gas pedal all the way down & crank your key. This is call "flood mode".