washing the engine bay
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
washing the engine bay
hey there, i just picked up a jug of simple green today and plan on doing an engine bay spring clean up. now i have just a couple questions.
i've done some reading and know that electrical areas should be covered during the process. but there is some debate on wether or not the car should be running or not running. some advice or tips to help out would be great thanks
i've done some reading and know that electrical areas should be covered during the process. but there is some debate on wether or not the car should be running or not running. some advice or tips to help out would be great thanks
#2
I remember my dad cleaned his car one time and had turned the car off and couldn't get it started again, but that was years ago and I can't really tell you why it didn't start.
That said, I would just leave it running and make sure every thing is tightly closed and you may want to cover some things. Check out this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/help-cleaning-engine-55996/
That said, I would just leave it running and make sure every thing is tightly closed and you may want to cover some things. Check out this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/help-cleaning-engine-55996/
Last edited by fahrfegneugen; 04-13-2008 at 01:15 AM.
#3
Switch off the engine, it is safer for your fingers and it gets pretty hot. Also, you run a higher risk of short circuiting it when there is water while it is running. I always hose it down when it is switched off and so far, no problemo.
#8
503wtq Boosted Bimmer
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wash my engine with a garden hose about two or three times a year. I've never had a problem. The distributors in older engines will short out when they get wet. This will cause the car not start until all the water has evaporated.
Our car is distributor-less, so it's not a problem. DO NOT wash the engine when it is hot. And always start the engine and let it fully warm up AFTER you have washed it.
WARNING: Washing the engine when it is hot can crack the block. (destroy the engine)
Our car is distributor-less, so it's not a problem. DO NOT wash the engine when it is hot. And always start the engine and let it fully warm up AFTER you have washed it.
WARNING: Washing the engine when it is hot can crack the block. (destroy the engine)
Last edited by Rotary Rasp; 04-15-2008 at 10:43 PM.
#13
Never wet your engine while it is still hot. If you cool the engine block too fast , you can cause major problems. Also be careful with pressure washers. You stand the chance of forcing water into electrical connectors, knocking off vacuum hoses ect. When you finish, start your engine and go for a drive to dry it off.
#14
I don't buy Kool-Aid
I remember my dad cleaned his car one time and had turned the car off and couldn't get it started again, but that was years ago and I can't really tell you why it didn't start.
That said, I would just leave it running and make sure every thing is tightly closed and you may want to cover some things. Check out this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=55996
That said, I would just leave it running and make sure every thing is tightly closed and you may want to cover some things. Check out this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=55996
You can use it on your wheels and parts of the car around the wheels too!
like the lip of the fender facing the wheel and the parts of the appearance package. Parts that get hit hard with dirp. Then just wash it off as you wash your car
#15
#18
thanks for that link nemisis i was just wondering about if it was safe to clean the engine bay with a pressure washer.... gonna go give it a shot tonight because mine is diiirty. ill let you guys know what happens
#20
Living In The Past
iTrader: (6)
People drive-through standing water and rainstorms of biblical proportions quite often, yet you never hear of a cracked engine or other damage from that deluge from below. Remember that the engine bay is completely open to the road.
I've been using the car-wash wand to clean my engines for 34 years and never had any problems at all. Even my '80 RX-7 got the wand treatment.
I've been using the car-wash wand to clean my engines for 34 years and never had any problems at all. Even my '80 RX-7 got the wand treatment.
#22
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
Good point. I'm letting one bad incident cloud my similar many years of steam/pressure washing without any problems.
People drive-through standing water and rainstorms of biblical proportions quite often, yet you never hear of a cracked engine or other damage from that deluge from below. Remember that the engine bay is completely open to the road.
I've been using the car-wash wand to clean my engines for 34 years and never had any problems at all. Even my '80 RX-7 got the wand treatment.
I've been using the car-wash wand to clean my engines for 34 years and never had any problems at all. Even my '80 RX-7 got the wand treatment.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BigMikeATL
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
12
05-26-2016 12:31 AM