Very rough idle, engine cuts out at 3000rpm

[matty77]

Here is the problem,I have been running with a bad donut gasket and I am wondering if that finally totally failed and has now caused an abnormal amount of air in the exhaust causing the sensors to malfunction. The idle is very rough, if I hold the rpms at 2500 and runs fine when in neutral. I can get through the gears when driving but once I go over 3000rm the engine cuts itself out, I had the exhaust system repalce three years ago, and at this time they changed all donut gaskets etc. spark plugs are 1 year old, The other possible issue could be that I went through a touchless car wash today, it does spray under the car and wonder if water contaminated something. thanks

[BlueCrush]

Typically, the engine cutting out at 3K rpm means your MAF sensor is fried like most people do by mistake when the install an aftermarket intake. Any CEL?

[scherry2]

what he said. I've been thru 2.

[matty77]

yes check engine light is on, I have not changed intake

[lovemyraffe]

I agree. It is probably the MAF. If the MAF is fried, the car will go into limp mode and will not allow you to rev the motor above 3,000. Even though you didn't change the intake, or maybe not even the battery, look at this: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=39550

[BlueCrush]

Before wasting money on doing anything, get the CEL code read. It is possible that the water may have shorted it out....maybe, if there was a bad(exposed) wire.

[matty77]

Well it would seem that 2 coils are not fireing, Mechanic fixed my exhaust problem, car is now purring but the same rough ride continues. They had the coils out and put them on the bench, no spark or very little on two of them, he only changed me for the exhaust work so I found some coils and will pick them up tomorrow and try and fix this car. Still in the back of my mind I think the car wash was the ultimate cause of this.