Why Can't my D1 Get Wet?

[El_Cid_2000]

I drove the Rover this morning and it was great. No hesitation, lag or loss of power throughout the revs. Later on after it rains for about 20 minutes the Rover runs like I dumped a gallon of water on the electrics. Spitting, hesitation, stuttering, throttle lag; the whole shooting match. This is the fourth time in less than a month of ownership that the Rover has done this after a rain. God forbid I spray the mud off of it after an offroading trip.

I?ve looked at everything and everywhere I can think of but I can?t even find a drop of water anywhere that it shouldn?t be. The vehicle will idle and sputter for a bit and then as it dries it self out (somewhere) it will begin to run like it should and it will be fine until it rains again. It?s very embarrassing that my 22 year old SIII and my 18 year old Volvo will run no matter what and my 97 Disco can?t even get rained on.

What gives? Is there something that I?m missing?

 

[Steve83]

Wait for it to dry when it's running right, then set it to a high idle in the driveway & start spraying VERY SMALL specific locations with the hose for at least 1 minute each. Start at the bottom REAR of the engine, work your way forward, then up, then to the rear again. Then start working your way down the door sills, then up the doors, & finally onto the windshield & the roof.

When the engine starts to sputter, STOP and look at the last couple of spots you sprayed. Remember to take it VERY slowly.

 

[D Chapman]

Check the ECU on the passanger side fender, it's under a black plastic cover near the washer fluid jug. On the fender is a rubber weather strip, sometimes it can drain water directly onto the ECU cover. If the cover is loose, water could be dumping on either the wire harness, bare wires, or into the ECU. Worth a look anyway.

FWIW, I used black caulk to seal the seem where the cover meets the fender. I only caulked the top side so mositure could still drain out the bottom. I don't think it is a good idea to seal the entire thing. They do make a peice of weather striping thats a little longer to correct this problem.

 

[Rocky]

How long since you changed the plug wires? Had a similar experience in my 95 a day after I drove 400 miles in pouring rain and then parked next to a grassy bank....no start until the wires dried out. To say they were overdue for replacement was an understatement....

 

[LRWheelman]

Hello! When I first got my D1 I drove it through water deeper than I should w/no problems. Now if I splash too much on the lawn w/a heavy dew, it runs like a ford- spitting & sputtering until it dries out! have never been able to get it home fast enough to figure it out, though, as it always smooths out along the way. Did have problem once leaving the car wash, now that I think about it that was the first time it happened. Gonna go lay under it w/ tube of dielectric grease I guess, then dunk in river to test. Thank You, LRW.