Powerwashing Engine

[fordman]

This may sound stupid to some, but I have some "dirty" if you will spots on my engine. Mainly the center of it (Alternator and behind it, top of air intake, along front of engine all the way down, behind valve covers). Not super serious but I tried doing it myself with some engine degreaser, a little scrubbing, and hose with minimal luck. Cant find a detail shop willing to go to work on this. They all say to many electrical parts in this area and dont want to be responsible. Problem is if you cover all the electrical parts, you really are defeating the purpose of cleaning it because they need it also. Would I be a fool to Powerwash this area? I know the common sense answer is yes, but maybe someone here has a better idea for me.

[Zack]

Simple Green with a green scrubby pad works wonders on aluminum.

[fordman]

Again, dont mean to sound stupid but is it safe to do a little scrubbing with the simple green on the alternator? How much covering of electrical parts and sensors do I have to do in this area?

[TiTo35]

Check out what this guy has to say about it

http://jasonsautospa.com/enginedetail/

[Zack]

Again, dont mean to sound stupid but is it safe to do a little scrubbing with the simple green on the alternator? How much covering of electrical parts and sensors do I have to do in this area?

None.
Ive washed my engines plenty of times with no problems.

[Raudermaster]

What Zack said, do not simply take a hose and spray the hell out of your motor, you'll come across problems. Take a bucket and dump some Simple Green and take sponge and scrub the big items. I usually cover my coil covers with bag and alternator.

[Zack]

If underhood electrical components were at risk from moisture, they would be sealed from the factory.

[Raudermaster]

If underhood electrical components were at risk from moisture, they would be sealed from the factory.

Then how come my friend did that and he had to replace an entire COP on his Lightning?

[fordman]

WOW!! That Jasons auto spa thing is great but he didnt cover anything but the computer!!:confused: Theres got to be some other things to cover. I have cold air intake so thats simple to take off and get out of the way. I like the way your thinking Zack but Raudermaster just brought some fear to me again.

[1stMerc]

The biggest problem you have is water getting under the coil covers.
Sometime when you get a chance get some RTv silcone and put a thin bead on the rubber gasket. Let it skin over before reattaching to valve cover. Let dry throughly. Would not recommend a power wash since its the force of the spray that get you in trouble.
Like Zack said get some Simple Green and pad and a medium bristle tooth brush spray the engine department and let it work. Scrub as needed Get one of those nozzles with the different spray patterns.
I use the angled setting and have never had a problem and i spray everything. Usually put the sock on the filter.
Then spray it down with your choice of protectant ( i prefer Son of A Gun) and wipe till dry and shiny clean.

One hint it kid of difficult to get offthe fuel rails some you might want to swipe some of the wifes Q-tips.

[Blackened300a]

I use a high heat power washer but... I make sure to use it at a distance and I mostly keep it pointed at the block where the most dirt builds up. My car is rarly used so it stays clean but I have washed the engine several times and never had a issue.

Like Zack said, if moisture was a issue, it would have been addressed at the factory.

[TiTo35]

WOW!! That Jasons auto spa thing is great but he didnt cover anything but the computer!!:confused: Theres got to be some other things to cover. I have cold air intake so thats simple to take off and get out of the way. I like the way your thinking Zack but Raudermaster just brought some fear to me again.

I seen a friend of mine clean his engine with a power washer, but not full blast and degreaser.

[MM2004]

Simple Green rocks! And just cleaned my engine bay this past weekend. On a cool engine, spray simple green all over the place under the hood. Let it soak for about 10 - 15 minutes and hose off.

I always use the 'shower' setting on an adjustable nozzle attached to a garden hose. Start the engine immediately thereafter.

Wipe dry and detail.

Mike.

[Embassy]

I use a leaf blower to quickly remove puddled water around the coils and other places. Sure, it gets looks from the neighbors, but they accustomed to seeing bizzare cleaning antics. :cool:

[magindat]

Soak all them nooks and crannies with it. Rinse. Blow-dry.

http://www.blackmagicshine.com/products.aspx/58/black-magic-2-in-1-engine-shine

[FordNut]

I use a high temperature pressure washer (Hotsy). No special precautions other than avoiding the conical air filter. No problems.

[JVJ]

How bout steam cleaning, would that be safe for the engine?

[Mike]

How bout steam cleaning, would that be safe for the engine?

^^^Check out post #16^^^ :beer:

[fastblackmerc]

Soak all them nooks and crannies with it. Rinse. Blow-dry.

http://www.blackmagicshine.com/products.aspx/58/black-magic-2-in-1-engine-shine

This is GREAT for your engine compartment after it's clean. I use a citrus-based engine cleaner (follow the directions on the can), use Scotchbrite pads and brushes on the really dirty areas, use low pressure spay to rinse off, run the engine until it reaches operating temperature, use a leaf blower or air hose, if you have a compressor, to get rid of the rest of the water. Then use the Blackmagic shine. I buy mine by the case when I can find it.

[magindat]

This is GREAT for your engine compartment after it's clean. I use a citrus-based engine cleaner (follow the directions on the can), use Scotchbrite pads and brushes on the really dirty areas, use low pressure spay to rinse off, run the engine until it reaches operating temperature, use a leaf blower or air hose, if you have a compressor, to get rid of the rest of the water. Then use the Blackmagic shine. I buy mine by the case when I can find it.

I've cleaned some dirty arse motors with 2-3 applications and 0 scrubbing. The stuff foams up and eats away grease. It works in those places that are difficult/impossible to scrub. It'll get clean if you can get the spray to it.

[fordman]

Alright. Its time for me to man up and attack this engine. I have a air compressor. Wet it. Spray with Simple Green. Let soak. Do a little scubbing. Rinse. Hopfully not repeat. My nieghbors already think Im crazy when it comes to cars, so this should put the iceing on the cake. Thanks guys. Unfortunately, my beast is in the body shop until Monday. My better half cought the fender with the gas pump nozzle:mad2:. I'll let everyone know how it goes next week.

[1stMerc]

My nieghbors already think Im crazy when it comes to cars, so this should put the iceing on the cake.

Wait till they see you taking all the wheels off to paint the calipers. :D

Good luck with the cleaning.

[fastblackmerc]

Wait till they see you taking all the wheels off to paint the calipers. :D

Good luck with the cleaning.

Or cleaning the wheel wells

Or cleaning & polishing the inside of the wheels

Or removing the interior & trunk to FatMat everything......

[fordman]

Hey Fastblackmerc,

Funny you say that about the wheels. I did take them all off and scrub the insides after I bought it. I had to use a wool pad to get some of the dirt off. I waxed with black magic liquid wax to protect any very minor scratching the pad may have done. All the surfaces where smooth, just didnt know if I took any finish off. What should I have used on that? No problems yet and dont plan on having the factory wheels on for the winter so they shouldnt see any salt at all.

[Vortech347]

Make sure you don't spray to much on the coil pack covers. Every DOHC I've pressure washed gets water down in there and causes all sorts of havoc. After you get done washing remove the covers and blow everything out with compressed air or let it sit for a little bit before driving.