I was watching this guy at the car wash!

I've Probley cleaned 2000 plus engine bays. and the only time a car/ truck wont start after washing is casue water on in the ignition coil, or went past the spark plug wires and need to be blown out with a air gun most common cars that wont start are:

Dodge rams, Ford taurus ,honda's ...

never had a car with coil on plug not start..
 
I've done quite a few engines. I always avoid a couple of sensitive areas, but nothing fanatical. I blow off a number of parts, and sometimes cover some areas with plastic if I need a second go at it. On older cars I'll cover the distributor cap, or if it is simple and accessible, blow it out after. Keeps from stalling later if there are droplets.

Couple of cautions: degreaser too strong can bleach hoses (no biggie) and stain paint; degreaser too weak means more water needed.
I prefer a pressure washer because there is less water doing the same job, so less "soaking" of areas. A pressure washer can damage components from the pressure though.
 
I feel its important to mention, that many car manuals specifically state not to wash the engine bay, for the reasons stated above. Since grime on the outside of the engine won't make a significant difference on car performance, I'd just clean up whatever is visible to the eye with MFs and light cleaning solution.
 
According to the owners manual for my F150, Ford recommends cleaning the engine periodically. I clean my truck's engine compartment 4 to 5 times a year and I have never had a problem. I spray down the engine with Simple Green, agitate the grimy areas, and rinse with a low pressure stream of water. Then I clean the top panels and the underside of the hood with regular car wash soap.
 
elf12345 said:
I feel its important to mention, that many car manuals specifically state not to wash the engine bay, for the reasons stated above. Since grime on the outside of the engine won't make a significant difference on car performance, I'd just clean up whatever is visible to the eye with MFs and light cleaning solution.
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the grime does make a difference it can cause overheating ,if its really bad
and also cause a oil fire ( every knows changing oil the run off you get from the oil filter location . and as a motor gets older it will weep out some fluids
and when the road dust and dirt gets on them you got a mess


Jeff
 
RAYJAY said:
the grime does make a difference it can cause overheating ,if its really bad
and also cause a oil fire ( every knows changing oil the run off you get from the oil filter location . and as a motor gets older it will weep out some fluids
and when the road dust and dirt gets on them you got a mess


Jeff
Click to expand...

Good job jeff, you hit that one on the head:biggrin:
 
I was also told that if your battery gets too dirty it will cut its life short due to heat. Don't ask me how I know, but maybe I have overlooked the battery once or twice.
 
http://www.detailcity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151i
i never cover anything when i clean the engine, i use a pressure washer but i ONLY ONLY use the wide fan setting, not the hard laser beam setting (that will cut hoses and stuff in half)
i will quickly spray the engine off to remove sand grit loose dirt then spray the engine bay down with a soapy degreaser wait about 5 to 10 minutes hose off and iam done....
 
All I know is that in 93-97 F-body Camaro's there is this lovely thing called an Opti-spark instead of a distributer, what ever you do, do not get it wet!!! It will kill it instantly and it will not come back after it dries!... Just wanted to let anyone with this type of car know because they cost $250+ and are PITA to replace :whistling
 
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you......

After reading this thread I was motivated to clean my engine bay. It was not that dirty as I had cleaned it about 5-6 months ago. I purchased some engine brite, sprayed it on and let it set for 10 minuits then I sprayed it off. It was noticable cleaner. They did not have CD-2 at the auto parts store so that is to come.

Did I say thank you?

HoldTight......
 
i clean engines everyday. I spray my cleaner on then hit it with my 1700 psi power washer. I have never covered anything except maybe an open element air filter. The only time i worry or have had any problems is on high mileage vehicles (125,000+). But to each his own. Do whatever works for ya.
 
I've used the pressure washer from those drive thru do it your self car washes. I just made sure to spray it from a distance & not directly on the alternator or spark plug boots. Never had any issues. of course my engine was a bit hot which was a risk.
 
I just blast away with the pressure washer. I have done this on several times many trucks and SUVs and ever had a problem. I do it while running, avoid direct spray on electrical connections, and the hot exhaust manifold. I carry a can of WD-40 just in case I get something wet I shouldn't of.
 
dosn't wd-40 try and turn into silicone, if that is the case can you spray the plug wires first with the wd-40 to lessen any dampness to the plug wires while spraying with the pressure hose.
 
Exactly that or after you have gotten everything wet like distributor cap (points) and it won't run. Spray a little on there and it’s good as new. What wd-40 started out as was a military water proffer.
 
My thoughts on this subject are pretty simple:

Since I only have one ride I have to drive in the rain, sometimes a miserable downpour, I find it highly unlikely that certain areas of the engine bay stay dry, especially when I crank into a puddle (small pond) doing 60. Granted they are not having water forced at them at 1500 psi, but they do get wet. Fuse boxes and such do have a seal (rubber O-ring, or foam) so under normal pressures they will be fine. I only fear water that tries to enter the air intake (hench the reason OEM air intakes originate inside a fender and then move up and over the engine twisting and turning on the way (water would really have to travel through a maze to make to the filter let alone the intake manifold).

WD-40 = Water Displacing 40th attempt. I forget where I heard this though.
 
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