I was watching this guy at the car wash!

P

percyjones

New member
I was over at the car wash the other day, and some guy was washing the outside of his truck (nothing out of the ordinary), then out of nowhere one of the other guys that was with him pops the hood and goes to spraying the engine with very high pressure water!

Now, I'm no expert but something seemed wrong with that picture, it was clear that he didn't cover anything or check anything before letting it fly.

I don’t really know if this type of action is okay or not, I've never really considered the idea just because it seemed like there were important parts of the engine that were exposed and could be harmed by water flying around everywhere, let alone HIGH pressure water.

So... am I just crazy and don't really know what I'm talking about?
Or maybe these guys just didn't know what they were doing (of course I'm assuming, I was just observing after all).]

Look forward ro comments.


-Percy
 
Well that was definately quite a risky move considering the high pressure water could have easily found it's way through sealed electrical compartments. Anytime I clean up engine compartments I always check the fuse box area and anything electrical to make sure they are sealed and then cover them with plastic just for precautions.
 
Back in the day (that is a funny saying :D ) (70s-'80s) I used that same method to keep my truck's engine bay looking brand new. I never covered anything, just soaped it up and rinsed it down. Never had a bit of trouble, mechanical or cosmetic. I had that truck for 26 years.

Would I do that today? Ummmm....not without taking at least a little more precautions than I did back then.
 
Engines are all different. I wouldn't do it to a hot engine, but I pressure wash all of the cars I do. Now my pressure washer is a small Craftsman 1800 psi, but I still cover certain parts and don't pressure wash it long. I usually wait 20 mins, and start the engine to dry.
 
Well for what I've heard so far it sounds like I need to know the in's and out's of my own engine.

Any one happen to know much about a Lincoln LS 2003 Sport motor?
I have a feeling this would be an engine I would need to covers things.
I think I'm going to by one of those books that tells me where every screw is :paper .

Mr. Clean, this guy did have a older (late 80's :lmfao ) truck, I wonder if this had something to do with it. From what I've heard in general, newer vehicals are much more picky when it comes to engines, I'm assuming that includes letting that water fly.
 
i powerwash engines all the time. i stay away from the altenator, sparkplugs, fuse boxs and cap and rotor if there. as long as you keep the spray about 8 inches away, and don't soak electrical areas you will be fine.
 
Hey Maxim,

It just sounds so simple... why am I so freaked about doing it then.
I think it has something to do with that fact that you told me to stay away from something, like "alternator, sparkplugs, fuse boxes and cap and rotor".

Maybe I should keep to cleaning my engine the way Barry Meguiar suggests; of course I may not use the products he suggests, but no bid deal.

Thanks Maxim
 
i don't worry to much about it. it save alot of time with grimy engines. if you use common snese and restraint in certain ares you will not damage anything. if water does seep in to areas and the vehicle runs a little rough when started, let it run for 10-20 mins. to dry the moisture out.
 
I used to spray everything down all the time in my trucks. Only problem i ever had was my 2000 powerstroke, the "water in fuel " light popped on for a day or so.
 
A suggestion that was made to me for covering electrical parts was to use some aluminum foil. It should be fairly easy to form it around whatever you are trying to keep dry.

Charles
 
Well, I'm still definitely going to research some more on my particular engine, I very much appreciate the voice of confidence and suggestions.

Many, many thanks everyone!


- Percy
 
As for the Lincoln LS, I'd definately cover things up a bit. The coil on plug ignition on this vehicle has enough problems without soaking the coils with water...ymmv :beat
 
I did many engine bay cleaning. I use common sense, I dont go out and flood the entire engine, you know? I lightly mist entire bay then I use APC and then usea bristle brush to agitale the area. The past weekend I done a 2000 Lincoln LS also, I dont know if 2k3 its the same as this one.

Before
EN_B4.jpg


After:
EN_after.jpg
 
Nice work klnyc.

With todays engines that have so many delicate sensors, I prefer to take a few extra moments to cover them.
Some folks here take 10-15 minutes to tape off trim to save them clean up time, I think the same rule would apply to save a $20-$100 sensor.

JMHO
"J"
 
personally i dont see anything wrong with it at all. it makes the engines look better and it cleans deeper than any other method i could think of. i do it daily, and have been for atleast 6 years, and the worst problem i have had is getting water in the distibutor. this has only happened approximately 5 times in 6 years. if it does happen all you have to do is take the distributor cap off, and blow dry it with your air hose.
 
If you have any marginal under-hood connections (vacuum or electrical), this method of cleaning will reveal them ..... then you're on your own to track down the reason you're engine is running like crap.

Not adviseable.
 
I would advise against using foil to cover electrical items (alt/fuse box/the like) foil is conductive material and "may" ground itself out causing a short (aluminum material+h2o+ground=let's not find out). Plastic bags and asorted size rubber bands work just fine. Engines are made to be air/h2o tight nothing in nothing out, wetting sensors is not a big deal. What do you think happens when it rains and your driving or hit a puddle. .02
 
I second the avoid the foil comment, I have heard this before and read it in detailing guides myself. I cant think of a worse material to wrap around electrical connections. Even without a bad connection you can get interference or induction and today it can fry an ECU with a few stray volts.

Baggies and rubber bands, although im just careful and clean those areas with a rag and minimum liquids.
 
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