2014 GMC sierra

[Jay Janczak]

Can you wash/clean your engine with water with all the electronic things under the hood.

[rav3]

10 minutes ago, Jay Janczak said:

Can you wash/clean your engine with water with all the electronic things under the hood.

@Jay......My simple reply would be "yes" but with some qualifiers.

I would NOT use a pressure washer, either from home or a car wash. This pressure can send water into water resistant connectors.

I usually do ALL mine (BMW's & past & present Chevy trucks) when the engine is warm, NOT hot. I start by spraying the greasy and dirty areas with a mild cleaner like Simple Green. I let it sit a few minutes & then spray of with a garden hose, trying to stay away from spraying directly at the connectors of the control units. Most all under hood connectors are made to be water resistant due to their environment. After I rinse the dirt off, I will start the engine & let it run to evaporate any standing water or drive around the block to get it dry.

ALL used car dealers, and even new dealerships, will have their used trade-ins & CPO's vehicles engine bays cleaned in order to sell them. There are some under hood detailing sprays you can buy that make every motor look new from the outside.

This is my opinion only; others may disagree. I've been detailing/cleaning my engine bays for 50 years.