AndrewE

I am cleaning every oriface of my car today and I want to know if anyone washes their engine, (obviously when its cold), with a pressure washer?

I figure it can't be any more harmful then me trying to shove my hands in tight spaces to get at dirts.

Responses???

staticlag

I would use compressed air first.

AndrewE

Thats an idea

Astral

I'd be afraid of pressured washer getting into electronics.

Actually, you want to wash your engine when warm (not hot, but warm), to help water evaporate and reduce the chances of messing things up.

toxin440

I got some citrius degreaser engine cleaner at autozone for a few bucks - spray it everywhere but not on the alternator or where the coils are. Let it soak for a few minutes and then just use one of those regular hose jet thingies to wash it off. Works great no sputtering or stalling.

fullsmoke

I slightly warm up the engine, use a spray bottle containing Dawn and water, and then rinse. No problems and the engine comes out as clean as my pots and pans.

FS

swoope

iTrader: (5)

pressure washer bad.. has power to force water past seals and connectors..

beers

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

if using a pressure washing keep it AWAY from the radiator, oil coolers and A/C condensor. You will destory the fins on those in short order

Labop

I've used this method dozens of times. I let the degreaser soak for a few minutes, while it's doing that I scrub any tough spots with a rag. If you do this at least once a month you shouldn't have to do any major scrubbing.

The first time may take more work, but each subsequent time should be easier.

IMHO, this method is the safest and works best.

AJ's Shinka

i go through a car wash that shoots water at the undercarriage of my car with a lot of pressure. Will that mess up anything?

Slick8

Slightly warm engine, spray STP Son of a Gun all over everything and let drip dry. This technique makes any engine look showroom new and protects rubber/plastic/seals.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I wash my engine every time I wax my car. I've never had a problem.

Mazdaspeed 88

So, how you wash it? what do you use?

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

I usually just use the air compressor with a nice little straw like attackment as well as a microfiber towel soaked in simple green. then re wipe with a damp microfiber towel.

excessive? and thats just the inside ... haha

Razz1

There's a member here who took his car in for an oil change at the dealer.

The left the oil cap off and got oil all over the engine.

He has pictures of it here. The used a pressure wash for several minutes. he never had a problem.


AJ if water pressure is being shot up from the bottom of the car, that is a problem.

It will shoot all the grime and grease onto your engine.

Sure the underside of the car is clean along with the outside.

Have you ever opened up your hood?

ChuLooz

i heard good things from that simple green stuff, and i know a person that uses kerosene water mix 50/50 to degrease his engine. it looked like it was working good for him.

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

kerosene can be bad as well ...

hahah spark spark ... bam!

ChuLooz

ha ha ha no it won't...the kerosene is to be mixed with water 50/50, a flame thrower wouldnt lite that liquid.

laythor

Simple green is cheaper then kerosene and can be used for things other then engine work.
Also, the neighbors and police might get a bit snippy if you have a trail of 50/50 kerosene and water running down the gutter into a storm drain.

AJ's Shinka

RAZZ1 Thanks for the info but I haven't seen any thing under the hood that would lead me to believe it was pushing it up into the engine bay. I open the hood every time I check the oil, every other fill-up. This car wash is really good and would hate to not have it as a option when I don't have time to clean it myself.