Washing Motor

[Peadog]

Is it safe to wash my engine? if so what should i be covering before i wash the engine?

[peteking]

Is it safe to wash my engine? if so what should i be covering before i wash the engine?

 

I just did that yesterday! I cover up the alternator and fuse box. Then I covered all the greasy areas with Simple Green and let it soak in for a minute or two. Then I sprayed it all down with a pressure washer at the car wash set on the low setting. i.e.-- I didn't pull the trigger. Guess I'm always afraid I'll force water into some electrical connections if I were to blast the engine bay with high pressure water.

[700 sportsman]

I work at a detailing shop, and we pressure wash every vehicle without covering everything, we spray it down with an All purpose cleaner, do the wheels and tires and then pressure wash entire engine, now I'm not saying spray directly at electrical components, but things will take some water

[Matt Fetters]

that really doesn't affect anything? I thought if I got certain things wet I would at least cause some damage so that my engine wont turn over and get running

[gregrocks89]

i've always used the pressure washed on my engine, but i dont stay in one spot and hold it down

[welscher08]

I am thinking of doing this too, is it best to do it and then let it sit and dry, or get done and remove the bags covering the alternator and fuse box and then start the truck and let it run a few minutes to dry the engine compartment out some?

[Nytemare]

I've never covered anything...just make sure the intake is nice and tight.

 

spray it with simple green over all the lightly soiled areas, and I use a little harsher chemicals on the dirtier areas. Let it sit for a few min to do its job than spray it off on fan spray...stream on the block and lower chassis areas.

 

Than I start the engine right after to warm everything up and get all the water to flash off.

 

I than use armor-all or similar protectant to wipe down the plastic bits, and I wax the painted areas with Turtle wax Ice shine spray, just in case I get some on the plastic.

[66nova]

that really doesn't affect anything? I thought if I got certain things wet I would at least cause some damage so that my engine wont turn over and get running

 

 

With an old style distributor motor you're right. If you get the distributor wet it won't run until it dries out.

 

With todays engines just wash the thing, you'll be fine.

[Metro12]

This may surprise some people, but the bottom of my engine bay is open-I can see the road!! So, when it rains, if you drive, its gonna get wet!!

 

Now, as mentioned, I would not set a high power pressure washer on the electric components, but spraying a foam solution, and then hosing it off is not going to do anything.

[takevin]

I do the minimal cleaning since its done once a week, still looks just as good as the day i drove it off the lot. maintain maintain!

[95Sierra]

As others have said, the older motors are the ones you need to worry about getting wet, but even them, as long as your careful about where you get water it's fine. I pressure wash the engines on all my cars (including my '83 trans am) all the time with no issues. If it's carburetor just make sure you don't get water in the carburetor. I've seen ONE alternator blow over being pressure washed, my co worker had done it so I dunno if maybe they kept the water on too long, i doubt it, but who knows... but it was a ford

[jro909]

i was always told not to get the coils wet...i washed my motor once and it was a pain in my ass bagging each coil and the fuses and the alternator..hell maybe i did it

[DwelveAT]

Did mine yesterday seeing we had horrible pollen recently plus it needed it too, looks new.

[Peadog]

thanks guys! i appreciate the help!