Washing Engine

[skidoo]

Hello all,

 

I do alot of traveling on a dirt road and I hate seeing my engine compartment all dusty. Can I safely hose it down?

 

 

 

06 Silverado Ext Cab Z71

[Zembonez]

Hello all,

 

I do alot of traveling on a dirt road and I hate seeing my engine compartment all dusty. Can I safely hose it down?

 

 

 

06 Silverado Ext Cab Z71

YES.

 

I spray mine off in the car wash. I have done this repeatedly with every truck I have ever owned (probably 3 or 4 times a year). It keeps the underhood surfaces looking new. I do mine while it's running and I don't do it for very long... just enough to wash away the grime.

[Backwash]

Hello all,

 

I do alot of traveling on a dirt road and I hate seeing my engine compartment all dusty. Can I safely hose it down?

 

 

 

06 Silverado Ext Cab Z71

[gapost]

Yes, but you should know that the rear knock sensor sits in the valley of the block underneath the intake manifold. It is actually in a hole that collects water and it is a know problem. The water will eventually corrode the sensor and you will have to replace it. When you replace it, you can seal up the sensor hole. Maybe just try not to get much water under the intake manifold. And also, if you drove it for a while after washing it, it would probably evaporate the water.

[cerbomark]

i do!

[SCHSIERRA]

I sprayed some gunk engine degreaser on my rocker covers. I rinsed the gunk off with a water bottle and was being very careful but must of got a little on the alternator; when I started the truck I got the "Service battery charging system" message and the battery light came on. I let it sit for about 15-20 minutes and it cleared itself and is working fine.

[700 sportsman]

The shop where I work, we always spray off the motors, spray them down with a degreaser, and then give them a good spray down all with the pressure washer

[hockeypro1411]

I always hit the plastics with some Simple Green and then hit everything with the power washer.

[ryan_hermanutz]

I wash the truck once a week and I try to do the engine compartment every other wash. I've been doing this for nearly 20 years and the only times I had a problem was with my 68 Chevy, and the one time I locked my keys in the truck while at the car wash.

[jblakeney]

I regularly take a damp rag and wipe off dust on my truck's engine (my 1999 that is my 01 see's to much DUST it gets the air hose)... I am never in-favor of washing an engine unless I am fixing to work on it or pull it out......

 

If you wash it make sure it is COLD. Cold water will cause cast iron manifolds to crack when they are HOT..

 

Jbo

[Zembonez]

I regularly take a damp rag and wipe off dust on my truck's engine (my 1999 that is my 01 see's to much DUST it gets the air hose)... I am never in-favor of washing an engine unless I am fixing to work on it or pull it out......

 

If you wash it make sure it is COLD. Cold water will cause cast iron manifolds to crack when they are HOT..

 

Jbo

Sorry but this is just not necessary. It might be theoretically possible to crack a manifold, but I've never seen one damaged. I deal with cars at auction by the thousands. All of the major auction outlets I have dealt with in the last 20 years wash there engines while hot and running. They are not in the business of damaging vehicles. The hot wash system works best because it evaporates the water that ends up on the hot engine. I do the same with all of my trucks and have for years.

 

What you are stating is simply not fact. You should think twice before making statements here that are simply your opinion.

[88K5]

Also, after you wash it, spray the entire engine compartment with WD40 or Armorall. Helps with the next time you have to clean it. Also makes it look nice.

[compulynx]

Also, after you wash it, spray the entire engine compartment with WD40 or Armorall. Helps with the next time you have to clean it. Also makes it look nice.

 

 

LOL, and makes the dust stick that much faster......

 

C

[skidoo]

Thank you for all the responses everyone! Good information!

[cbxeric]

I just did mine, I sprayed Gunk orange degreaser all over the engine (except the alternator) then I use a hose with no attachment on the end to rinse off the engine (again, I did not touch the alternator, no sense tempting fate).My engine is now clean. Using a pressure washer could cause issues later on down the road, too many electrical components that aren't designed to have high pressure water sprayed on them. Whatever cleaner you decide to use, follow the manufacturers directions. Warm engine is ok, cold water on a hot engine is never a good idea.