Washing Engine??

KMT15 · October 8, 2002

I just painted the Vortec cover and the electrical storage covers silver on my 99 Silverado. It looks sweet, but the rest of the engine area is dirty. My local carwash has self serve bays with pressure washers and soap. Can i spray the water with soap in there? What should I watch out for besides the Alternator?

-KMT15

mnstrmdnss · October 9, 2002

hose the whole thing!! i do that to my wifes civic and my sonoma all the time, been doing it for years with no problems.

KMT15 · October 9, 2002

Only problem is, the car wash is a good 10 min drive, so How long do I need to let it sit and cool?

-KMT15

mnstrmdnss · October 9, 2002

i know its not good on a hot motor, but i dont usually wait cause of other poeple behind me.

KMT15 · October 9, 2002

I dont care about other people behind me, JK. I could just do this at my house i guess, but the carwash pressure washers use soft, Hot water which im assuming is better and I know it cleans better.

-KMT15

Markeaux · October 9, 2002

I usually leave the engine running when power washing ... virtually guaranteed to restart.

carguru · October 9, 2002

It is best to let it cool down. Water, especially if it is a much lower temp than the engine, can have devastating effects on the components. Exhaust manifolds can crack, different shrink rates of aluminum and steel can cause warped heads, etc.

THE BIGPUNN · October 9, 2002

try some of the spray on engine degreeser foam. i usually vacume my trucks interior to wait for cool down. then i pull in the bay, i spray on the foam cleaner that i purchased and let it sit while i hose off the rest of the truck, then i use the engine cleaner the car wash has, and then softley spray the engine off. i then finish with an armor all pad wiping down the hoses and outter egde of the belt and black plastic pieces. :thumb:

95_togo · October 9, 2002

i'd be careful of the "soapy" substance on the freshly painted covers. you should test an area first!

i use simple green at home with the hose, just covering up the air cleaner and she shines!!!!

the simple green does however leave some type of marks (like removing paint or something) on my corvette!!!!

MountaineerTom · October 9, 2002

Here's how I do mine.

Engine / Engine Bay Cleaning

MarkD · October 9, 2002

I use a 2 1/2 gallon pressure can with 1/2 gallon Greased Lightning (degreaser) and 1/2 gallon Simple Green with 1 1/2 gallons of water.

I let it sit (on a cool to warm motor) for about 5 minutes, don't let it dry, and spray it off. It works great, both on cleaner motors and dirty ones.