Washing engine?

Grimspoon

Grimspoon

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I have read some conflicting articles on Google, some say you should never hose down or wash your engine bay, some say its fine?

Was thinking of busting out the old pressure hose and giving the engine bay a nice clean, is this advisable?

Common logic says don't spray anything electrical direct. Also a hose pipe would probably be more advisable as a high pressure hose might damage something? How do the pros do it?

Thoughts? Feeling? Cautions? Experiences? :)
 
I used to warm up my engine a little... cover my airfilter with a checkers bag... spray engine cleaner everywhere where there is grease/grime.... leave for 5min... rinse with a housepipe....
 
Hoo Boy Grimspoon, you are starting to specialize in starting of threads that will have 1000 different opinions!! :p

I have been pressure washing engines since the early 60's and apart from occasionally getting the distributor wet and having to dry it out, the only thing that I have ended up with is very clean engines and engine bays...:D

I will now sit back and watch the comments, with interest! ;)
 
xrapidx said:
I used to warm up my engine a little... cover my airfilter with a checkers bag... spray engine cleaner everywhere where there is grease/grime.... leave for 5min... rinse with a housepipe....
Click to expand...

Not to warm though, apparently you can crack the engine block. Advise I have always kept in the back of my head :D

Fazda said:
Hoo Boy Grimspoon, you are starting to specialize in starting of threads that will have 1000 different opinions!! :p

I have been pressure washing engines since the early 60's and apart from occasionally getting the distributor wet and having to dry it out, the only thing that I have ended up with is very clean engines and engine bays...:D

I will now sit back and watch the comments, with interest! ;)
Click to expand...


lool. Hey, what can I say, at least I am not asking stupid questions :D

Well, I would take your advice over a many others considering you do actually work with cars. I don't want to blast the life out of it, but its fsking dirty, even spotted some cob webs :eek: Makes me sad to see my baby all dirty like that. So based on your comments, it is relatively save. Distributor caps dry out right? :p
 
I once forgot the plastic bag over my S2000's air filter... started car...sounded funny... opened bonnet, crumpled R1500 airfilter. :(
 
You need some sort of de-greaser and allow it to penetrate for 15 mins. Apply it everywhere, not just where you can see grease. If your air-filter has a tube inlet, then cover it as the poster above says. If not, aim the hose (I use a high-pressure hose with a fan-shaped jet) downwards and not close up. Then, put the car on a ramp and degrease the sump and gearbox. Don't forget the underside of the floor pan too. If you are really fussy, you can take off the plastic wheel-arch covers and clean in there, especially if there is the likelyhood of mud underneath.

You might have to take out and dry out the spark plugs and shrouds, so if the engine does not fire straight away, have a plug spanner handy. Some plugs are recessed down a long tube and you need to have this dry or there will be ignition problems. Choose a sunny day with a good wind, which will hasten the drying process.

Vertex Chemicals in Retreat have economical de-greaser. If not, mix up a solution of Cold Water OMO and use that, but not too strong. Three tablespoons in a bucket of water is fine. Any low foam powder is ok.
 
xrapidx said:
I once forgot the plastic bag over my S2000's air filter... started car...sounded funny... opened bonnet, crumpled R1500 airfilter. :(
Click to expand...

Ouch! :(

chrisc4290 said:
You need some sort of de-greaser and allow it to penetrate for 15 mins. Apply it everywhere, not just where you can see grease. If your air-filter has a tube inlet, then cover it as the poster above says. If not, aim the hose (I use a high-pressure hose with a fan-shaped jet) downwards and not close up. Then, put the car on a ramp and degrease the sump and gearbox. Don't forget the underside of the floor pan too. If you are really fussy, you can take off the plastic wheel-arch covers and clean in there, especially if there is the likelyhood of mud underneath.

You might have to take out and dry out the spark plugs and shrouds, so if the engine does not fire straight away, have a plug spanner handy. Some plugs are recessed down a long tube and you need to have this dry or there will be ignition problems. Choose a sunny day with a good wind, which will hasten the drying process.

Vertex Chemicals in Retreat have economical de-greaser. If not, mix up a solution of Cold Water OMO and use that, but not too strong. Three tablespoons in a bucket of water is fine. Any low foam powder is ok.
Click to expand...

Sound advise, thanks. Might pass on cleaning the sump and the things I can't really see :p

I was actually meant to ask in OP would a degresser be a good idea. Isn't clean green used to clean engines?
 
Got my engine washed a few months ago with a high pressure hose. Had to buy a new battery a week later. One of the cells died, and one headlight shorted out.

Next time I'll do it myself with a toothbrush and engine cleaner LOL!
 
Clean Green is a bit expensive. Also, I forgot, take it easy if the car has a distributor, or you will have to take it off and dry it thoroughly
 
Kleen Green
Average pressure hose
Stay away battery, uncovered wires, back of the headlights.
Kleen Green does most of the work for you.
 
I just ask them to wash it when the car goes for a service. If something gets fscked up because of it then the workshop can sort it.
 
BTW, the dirty / greasy / etc. water has to go somewhere, so don't wash the engine / engine compartment whilst the car is standing on a white brick driveway ... at least, not if you have a S.O. ... :)
 
rrh said:
BTW, the dirty / greasy / etc. water has to go somewhere, so don't wash the engine / engine compartment whilst the car is standing on a white brick driveway ... at least, not if you have a S.O. ... :)
Click to expand...

Lol didn't even think of that thanks.
 
Haldex said:
Kleen Green
Click to expand...

Just don't get it on the paint, it will dull paint.

Other stuff you can use is some washing powder & dish washing liquid mixed into some hot water.

Prepsol you can go buy over the counter.
 
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lcbxx said:
I just ask them to wash it when the car goes for a service. If something gets fscked up because of it then the workshop can sort it.
Click to expand...

Volkswagen dealership (VW Menlyn) will tell you they may not wash engines (Order by manufacturer) even when they got oil all over the engine while doing an oil change. Happened to my wife when her car was still under warranty and had to be serviced by stealer. He even mentioned if I do it myself the warranty would be voided. They half heartedly cleaned excess with paper towel.

Shyt, if you know what you are doing nothing will happen, just use common sense. I wash all my cars regularly with my trusty old Kärcher high pressure washer.

Just don't get Prepsol on the V-belts, they may never end screeching and the multi ribbed belts can sound like an engine knock. Had to replace a brand new Mercedes belt once at great cost. Not even belt-dressing will help stop the screeching for a long period.


My 22 year old faithful Jetta never looked worse than on this picture except when I went bundu bashing.

1990JettaCsi-engine-2012.jpg
 
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b_crazy said:
Got my engine washed a few months ago with a high pressure hose. Had to buy a new battery a week later. One of the cells died, and one headlight shorted out.

Next time I'll do it myself with a toothbrush and engine cleaner LOL!
Click to expand...

I think that was more coincidence or bad luck regarding the dead battery and even the headlight.
 
Stokstert said:
Volkswagen dealership (VW Menlyn) will tell you they may not wash engines (Order by manufacturer) even when they got oil all over the engine while doing an oil change. Happened to my wife when her car was still under warranty and had to be serviced by stealer. He even mentioned if I do it myself the warranty would be voided. They half heartedly cleaned excess with paper towel.

Shyt, if you know what you are doing nothing will happen, just use common sense. I wash all my cars regularly with my trusty old Kärcher.

Just don't get Prepsol on the V-belts, they may never end screeching and the multi ribbed belts can sound like an engine knock. Had to replace a brand new Mercedes belt once at great cost. Not even belt-dressing will help stop the screeching for a long period.


My 22 year old faithful Jetta never looked worth than on this picture except when I went bundu bashing. This photo was taken end of last year.

1990JettaCsi-engine-2012.jpg
Click to expand...

What a pleasure to see an engine that looks like that!!

We are definitely twin souls Stokkies!! ;)

AND....peeps look at the GUD Oil Filter - date and mileage of the change, just the way it should be!! :D
 
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