MSD caused my motor to Hydrolock (Long Post) UPDATE: FIRE!!!

[GRINCH]

I think my MSD caused my motor to Hydrolock.. 90 with a 96 Vortec motor and Edelbrocks MPFI. and MSD box. Been running this setup for 5 years now. I have been having weird symptoms. First started with my tach blipping. At idle tach (Wired to the MSD) would flip up to around 3000 very little change in actually engine rpm but you could hear some. Then no start problems and some hard start problems where you would have to hold it to the floor. (Clear Flood on ECM) I have a new cap and rotor (2 months). I pulled the ignition module took it to O'reillys and it tested good. I bought a new one anyway. Put new module in and turned key to start but not all the way to engage starter. I wanted to see my fuel pressure come up. It did 42 PSI. Cycled key again and it sounded like an electric motor was running. Shut of key and tried again, normal this time, fuel pump comes on then shuts off. Key on again and the noise starts, also tach says 2800 - 3000. Trying to find the noise source, thinking it may be the IAC pulsing in and out, nope. Put a finger on one of the injectors and it's pulsing, checked the rest, yep all pulsing and fuel pump is on. Shut key off and cycled again, normal, cycle it a few more times to try to duplicate and can about every 10 to 15 key cycles. I pull the MSD and went back to factory ignition and cannot get it to duplicate.

I'm think the MSD is telling the ecm that there is crank signal and running at 3000 so dump some fuel in the injector rails.

By this time the raw fuel is strong. HMMM I bet I just filled a few cylinders with fuel. Thinking i can just bump the motor to dump the fuel I disconnect the coil wire. (Didn't want it to start just incase) . Bump the starter ... No way motor didn't even turn. Started pulling plugs, fuel pours out of # 2. Pulled all 8 and turned motor by hand.. Fuel pouring out like crazy.. Didn't think it held that much.

Decided to let sit over night and evaporate before I try starting. Pulled dipstick and PVC

I know I need to change my oil. Sucks I just did.. Mobil 1 and a Napa Gold filter.

Has anyone every seen a MSD fail like this?

What about the plugs? Should I change them?

Should I spray any lube in the cylinders before firing?

Should I run it a bit before changing oil?


Update..
Went back to stock ignition, Cleaned plugs, Changed oil.

Fired right up, but running rough. Moved to outside of garage and just let idle for awhile. Motor lacked power. I had the hood closed but not latched. Was revving motor to about 2500. Then I seen smoke coming out from under the hood. Shut down engine and grabbed my extinguiser from behind the seat. Opened hood and saw plug wires for 6 and 8 on fire. Pulled extinguiser and nothing just a spit.. Good thing there is snow on the ground.. Put a few shovel loads on it. (Note: extinguiser was in the green and said full, before pulling the pin, Note to self, replace extinguiser every couple of years not every 5 or 6)

The wires are Taylor Sprio Pro but are over 5 years old. I think when I pulled the plugs and put the wires back on I broke the core of number 8. and it fired through the jacket and melted the plastic hold which caught fire.

Heres the pics

 

[PsRumors]

Change the plugs, and oil and let it run. Did you have any fuel in the oil?

 

[sweetk30]

first big flag for me reading this is why would a secendary ignition system cause this. as thay are to be put in after the stock ingition controls.

but i would start by going back to stock then see what it does with out msd.


and msd can kiss my _ _ _ . thay got my money and now wont fix there bad junk. and what ever you do dont by anything msd offroad taged. cant fix it and 1 year only warenty. then you order parts and 3 weeks later it shows up wrong. then reorder and 5 weeks later it shows up correct finaly.

 

[USSkoval]

I would ditch the msd and stick with factory. As for your NAPA Gold oil filter, it's no different than the Silver, except for the label and price. There's also less filter material than, say, an ac delco.

 

[GRINCH]

Change the plugs, and oil and let it run. Did you have any fuel in the oil?

I did have some fuel in the oil.

first big flag for me reading this is why would a secendary ignition system cause this. as thay are to be put in after the stock ingition controls.

but i would start by going back to stock then see what it does with out msd.

From what I understand,, Since my setup doesn't have a crank sensor it uses the ignition to send input to the ECM for fuel and I assume the tach input has something to do with it also. Since the MSD was sending out a tach signal of 3000 the ecm said to dump some fuel. I bet Dorian (DYEAGER535) could add some input..
I did discconnect the MSD and could not duplicate the problem

I would ditch the msd and stick with factory. As for your NAPA Gold oil filter, it's no different than the Silver, except for the label and price. There's also less filter material than, say, an ac delco.

I am going to ditch the MSD.
As far as the filter goes there has been numerous discussions about filters. NAPA Golds are made by WIX. Here's the difference between Silver and Gold, Fiberglass enhanced media – has 50% more contaminant hold capacity than NAPA Silver. Extra strong steel spiral center tube – provides superior collapse protection.
I have not read any where about AC DELCO being better. It was rated high when it was made in the US, but not anymore it's made by Champion Labs who makes Bosch Mobil 1 STP SuperTech K&N Valvoline Mighty Service Champ AutoZone Value Craft AC Delco and others.
.

 

[dyeager535]

ECM uses a crank signal generated by the ignition module. If the MSD somehow is generating a signal that the ECM is seeing (ECM engine RPM is taken from same signal from the module) then it would pulse the injectors.

Easily confirmed with a noid light on the injector lead or simply checking to see if the injector is dumping with the MSD hooked up. Also heard stories of MSD interfering with EFI setups, still of opinion MSD is worthless on an HEI street motor tuned right.

 

[GRINCH]

Went back to stock. See update

 

[Gorillajeep]

Man glad the damage was not more severe. I have nothing to really add about the ingition system malfunction. I just saw fire and 73, was worried. Glad there was not more danage. Good luch with it!

 

[dyeager535]

Just saw the pics, man those tubes are close to the plugs.

I made brackets that bolted into the heads right where yours appear to have melted/burned just for that reason. Can't ever go overboard on keeping wires away from the header tubes.

 

[GRINCH]

Found out the reason things got HOT.. My timing is so far advanced.
Running a 350 Crate Vortec motor with Edelbrocks MPFI, MSD Pro billet dizzy.
I unhooked the ecm (Black tan wire) to check base timing. When first started it is at 0 then all of a sudden it jumps up to 30 or 40. Dist looks good, (MSD uses a Ford style Mag pickup and Reluctor) no play in dist. Module tests good.

Any suggestions on what to check next? Had a friends scanner on it last night no codes. Bad mag pickup? ECM going Bad? (Edelbrock supplied chip) bad wiring (although looks good)

 

[dyeager535]

Not sure what advance normally is, but mine is at least 20+* at idle, never bothered to figure it out exactly.

 

[GRINCH]

With the Black/Tan wire pulled it is supposed to be 0, Mine starts out that wayt then jumps up and stays there. All of the wiring looks good but, I 'm suspecting a short somewhere. Of course most of the wiring is behind the motor on the firewall.