Hyundai Repair: check engine light, plug holes, combustion chamber

Question
my boyfriend decided to take my car and wash the engine i have a 2003 accent with 189,000 miles on it. It ran great before this now it is lagging and the check engine light is on. Any idea what it could be?

Answer
Usually, what happens in cases like these is that water gets in/on the secondary ignition components (plugs, wires, coils).  

Remove the cover from the center of your valve cover to enable you to pull the wires off the spark plugs.  Check in each of the plug holes for water.  If water is there, stuff a paper towel down in the hole to absorb as much water as possible and then allow it to air dry.

Do not remove the spark plugs while water is in the holes.  This will allow the water to enter the combustion chamber of the engine.  If the plugs are reinstalled and the engine started with the water inside, it could severely damage the engine as water is not compressible.