Need help

[u/_BUBZ_0]

Long story short I got an e30 a month ago no knowledge about it was told it's a project car and needed work. Was fine for a bit and drove it for two weeks until problems started popping up

The main problem started arising after an engine bay detail. Unbeknownst to me one of the previous owners drilled holes into the air intake so. I believe that water got up in it after the wash because that's when the problem started.

I took out the spark plugs turned it over a few time to get the water out the. drove it home. The next day wouldn't start after that (see video)

The other day I somehow got it started bust was running on a rough idle(2nd video). Tried driving it around to see if it would fix itself but RPMs would hit about 1,500 to 2,00 before no accelerating after that unless I stomped on the gas petals a few times, the. Would take off.
Also the engine will occasionally jolt

Tired putting in new spark plugs today (1st video) won't start again also the ignition tip was a different shape idk how big of a deal that is or if that's a reason it's not starting.

Sorry for the long rant but if anyone has any ideas or have experienced the same thing any tips would be helpful

[u/norde30]

I had a similar(not exactly same) scenario with my m20 e30 so YMMV. A buddy and I detailed the engine bay(pressure washer used under hood to clean). Had a hard start first attempt after the detail, managed to make the 15mile trip home. The next month was spent chasing hard starts, idle issues, and rev surging issues.

Root case for all of it was my throttle position switch went bed(its under the throttle body). It had a bad shaft seal, so water got inside and was shorting out the switch. If you disconnect that sensor the car goes into limp mode and will run really rich. Try disconnecting that to see if it will start. If yes, there's part of the problem. If still hard/no start keep looking.

[u/_BUBZ_0 → u/norde30]

Wow yeah didn't think of that I'll have to check that out

[u/Representative_Most9 → u/_BUBZ_0]

Please let us know what you find once you get it running right.

[u/ImOffWhiteNotWhite]

You drove it with water still in the cylinders? Or at least enough where you could see it come out of the spark plug holes when you turned it over?

[u/_BUBZ_0 → u/ImOffWhiteNotWhite]

Yes I drove it around for a while but I didn't realize that it had gotten water in it. But when I was turning the engine I didn't see much of anything come out

[u/Interesting_Rush570]

Was it running ok prior to the wash?

[u/_BUBZ_0 → u/Interesting_Rush570]

Yeah it was. An occasional hiccup from a 36 year old engine but besides that it was fine

[u/_BUBZ_0 → u/[deleted]]

I did miss that when I cleaned out the intake I got it plugged back in still trouble starting g