172 cup rally car engine prob

[willzer]

the engine in our 172 rally car has developed a problem after drowning out in a large puddle initially it wouldnt start but then it caught and we ran to the end of the stage with the engine spluttering and popping .we got back to service and then it wouldnt restart .it has itbs fitted with omex managment and now it seems to be only firing on 2 cylinders we thought the starter had jammed but it turned out to be the manifold heat shield shorting out on the altinator ! anyone got any ideas ? thanks for any info

 

[willzer]

well eventually got the car to start after drying out all connections and relays
the problem with the starter was a dead short due to a heat shield touching the connections the issue now is an erratic idle sometimes slow then fast any ideas ?