washing the engine, good or bad idea?

[desertdragon]

Here where I live is very dusty, yesterday I realized that my engine bay is very dirty. I would like to wash the engine bay with pressurized water.

My question is:1. is washing engine bay a good idea?2. What is the best way to do it?

Thank you in advance.

[legend_217]

Go to autozone and buy engine cleaner.

[Rmuth25]

It is possible, I did it with my dad in my old car. However you have to cover up nearly everything that isnt metal if you use a pressure washer.Its probably just easier to get some cleaner and do it by hand though. Less prep time and I would have more peace of mind that I am not hurting anything!

[IBCoupe]

Get some simple green and microfiber cloths.

[Ricko]

Have it steam cleaned at an upscale car wash. Costs me 10 bucks and looks new!

[phobs]

Speaking of which, I just washed down my engine bay today. Just cover up the electrical components with plastic bags. If it's super greased out, you may need to get a degreaser but if not use the mist/flat setting on the hose and wiping works fine.

[ESP]

In the past I've used the "cover everything up and spray it down at the car wash" method, but now that I've become somewhat anal about it I prefer using a mild degreaser and microfiber cloths. If you give it a good cleaning right after winter (for us northern folk anyway) and maybe one or two quick wipedowns over the course of the summer, you'll find that your engine bay stays pretty clean.

I live in Calgary which is the dustiest place I've had the displeasure of living in (always really dry and there's always construction going on so the dust gets blown around alot), and these quick periodic cleanings work really well for me...

[IBCoupe]

Of course, it doesn't help that he's in Baja California and he's got a white coupe. I have trouble enough with mine in CT/NY; I can't imagine how crappy the desert must be.

[DaCoupe]

I know detailing shops do it for not that bad a price, i worked in one way back called Fine Details, when we did it all you have to cover was the two things that are open, the rest can get wet, but you must do it at a distance so the pressure washer doesnt damaged anything and i hope its not a gas one. (1600 PSI or less is perfect to get close) You must cover the alternator and the air filter, other than that wash away! or take it to a detailing shop, they have special engine shampoo

[desertdragon]

Thank you for all your replies. I washed the engine bay with soap and water and it came out very clean.
Modified by desertdragon at 10:19 AM 6/12/2009

[Chinaman]

what did you cover up if you dont mine me asking

[Beak]

yes plz show us what you covered

[kyle@stillen]

I am saying this but I am not taking any responsibility if you screw it up...

I have washed my engine bay numerous times in many different vehicles. I never cover up anything and all of my vehicle's have had custom stereos and aftermarketing wiring running through the engine bay. The key is just making sure that you don't point the hose directly at the wiring. I use the "spray the hood and let it deflect down" method. One thing to keep in mind is that cars are made to drive in the rain. A little water is not going to hurt anything. Just do not use a lot of water pressure.

Pressure washer's shoot out water at such a high speed that it can literally cut your skin. Imagine what it can do to wiring or rubber hoses. I know some professional detailer's that use pressure washers but unless you are really experienced with them, I would not recommend it. Also, I have seen pressure washers damage paint jobs. The only thing automobile I use pressure washer's on are my dirtbikes. Everything else gets the hose.

As someone else mentioned, just get some engine cleaner and spray it all over. Let it sit on there for fifteen to twenty minutes and then rinse it off.

BE VERY CAREFUL TO ENSURE THAT YOUR ENGINE IS COLD BEFORE WASHING IT DOWN!!!!!! SPRAYING COLD WATER ON A HOT ENGINE CAN CRACK THE BLOCK AND TURN YOUR ENGINE INTO A BOAT ANCHOR. If you spray down a hot engine you are causing that portion of the block to cool down faster than other parts of the engine. This rapid contraction in an isolated area can crack the block...My recommendation, do not attempt to wash your engine bay unless the car has been sitting and turn off for a long time.

[Beak]

thanks for the tip kyle! once again good advice from a great co.

[Ferguson]

BE VERY CAREFUL TO ENSURE THAT YOUR ENGINE IS COLD BEFORE WASHING IT DOWN!!!!!! SPRAYING COLD WATER ON A HOT ENGINE CAN CRACK THE BLOCK AND TURN YOUR ENGINE INTO A BOAT ANCHOR.

I am echoing Kyle's words because I have seen the result of cold water meeting a hot engine block! Not mine, but it caused cracks in both the block and the cylinder heads.

Don't be afraid to wash your engine and engine compartment. It's actually a good thing to do! Just be sure everything is close to ambient temperature. And keep the water away from intake and electronics as best you can.