Pressure washing your cars engine bay?
- Thread starter jdoggg12
- Start date
boomerang
Lifer
- Jun 19, 2000
- 18,883
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Don't do it. There's a very good chance you'll get water into wire connectors where it doesn't belong.
I'm speaking from experience here.
The "experts" say that if you really feel you must, to get a bucket, some Simple Green or similar, old rags and wipe the grease and grime off, wiping with a towel afterwards. You don't want to get things dripping wet by any means, just wet enough to clean.
The connectors under the hood for your computer operate under low voltages and amperages. Although the connectors are "water proof" they're not designed to keep water out under high pressure.
The potential for a slew of problems is great.
Now, having said all that, I have cleaned the engine compartment before using the wand at the car wash at low pressure. Don't squeeze the trigger, just use it as it comes out. Cover the alternator and the air intake. Trying to get into crevices will cause a lot of blow back and you really can't control where the water's going. You have to be really careful.
Still, there's no guarantee of your results. It's really easy to get something wet that shouldn't be wet.
I'm speaking from experience here.
The "experts" say that if you really feel you must, to get a bucket, some Simple Green or similar, old rags and wipe the grease and grime off, wiping with a towel afterwards. You don't want to get things dripping wet by any means, just wet enough to clean.
The connectors under the hood for your computer operate under low voltages and amperages. Although the connectors are "water proof" they're not designed to keep water out under high pressure.
The potential for a slew of problems is great.
Now, having said all that, I have cleaned the engine compartment before using the wand at the car wash at low pressure. Don't squeeze the trigger, just use it as it comes out. Cover the alternator and the air intake. Trying to get into crevices will cause a lot of blow back and you really can't control where the water's going. You have to be really careful.
Still, there's no guarantee of your results. It's really easy to get something wet that shouldn't be wet.
Don't pressure wash it.
I use a regular hose though, and some Simple Green. Try to avoid electrical stuff, especially ignition wires and such around the engine block but a little water won't hurt it (if it does you were going to have problems with it anyways).
I use a regular hose though, and some Simple Green. Try to avoid electrical stuff, especially ignition wires and such around the engine block but a little water won't hurt it (if it does you were going to have problems with it anyways).
If you want a new look you have to get it steam cleaned.Thats what reconditioning shops do with super crusty engine bays.Never pressure wash it leaves too much water behind in the electrical connectors and ignition system and it will cause problems.
iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
Pressure washer would be bad. Even a light mist is not that great. I just cleaned mine out last weekend and ended up getting water in the spark plug tubes. It ran great when cold, but once the water steamed up in the plug connectors, it would misfire. I got it warm and then removed the wires to let the water steam out and it ran as good as new.
boomerang
Lifer
- Jun 19, 2000
- 18,883
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I used to crew on a racing team that started locally and shortly before I left, was racing nationally in the Speedvision World Challenge series. Team Website
The owner/driver was one of the crew chiefs in the Corvette Challenge series. He got to the track one race weekend to find that his guys were very proud of themselves for the really good thing they'd done. They took the transporter over to the local car wash and pressure washed the motors and entire engine compartment on both the race cars.
They fought check engine lights and driveabilty problems for the next three race weekends. He ended up replacing the engine wiring harness' because the water had caused corrosion in so many connectors he couldn't keep ahead of it.
Very bad thing to do.
The owner/driver was one of the crew chiefs in the Corvette Challenge series. He got to the track one race weekend to find that his guys were very proud of themselves for the really good thing they'd done. They took the transporter over to the local car wash and pressure washed the motors and entire engine compartment on both the race cars.
They fought check engine lights and driveabilty problems for the next three race weekends. He ended up replacing the engine wiring harness' because the water had caused corrosion in so many connectors he couldn't keep ahead of it.
Very bad thing to do.
Very bad idea. Dirt does not hurt an engine. I can't tell you how many skipping problems I've seen that were caused by someone washing their engine.
Well a lot of engine detailers wash engines. I think they cover up most of the parts (electrical). But you can't prevent water from going any particular area.
Pressure wash? No, especially the top end with all the electrical connectors and wiring.
The bottom of the engine, suspension, and rest of the vehicle is fine. I have done that on many occassions. For the top end, twice a year (or so) I use a soap wand and apply some of the purple APC stuff you can get cheap. Let soak a minute, then a soft shower rinse. Blow off any electrical stuff with compressed air. No problems. Ever.
The bottom of the engine, suspension, and rest of the vehicle is fine. I have done that on many occassions. For the top end, twice a year (or so) I use a soap wand and apply some of the purple APC stuff you can get cheap. Let soak a minute, then a soft shower rinse. Blow off any electrical stuff with compressed air. No problems. Ever.
I did this on my last two cars I had and I plan on doing it with the new Jeep I just got... very simple. Do not do it when the car is hot!
1. Open hood.
2. Spray with degreaser.
3. Let sit for a minute?
4. LOW pressure water from your hose.
5. Wipe off water from a towel.
6. Start car. (if it doesn't, wait until dried out more)
1. Open hood.
2. Spray with degreaser.
3. Let sit for a minute?
4. LOW pressure water from your hose.
5. Wipe off water from a towel.
6. Start car. (if it doesn't, wait until dried out more)
DivideBYZero
Lifer
- May 18, 2001
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Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
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exdeath
Lifer
- Jan 29, 2004
- 13,679
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Just have it professionally steam cleaned by a professional auto detailer if you're that concerned about it.
And any electrical problems can be avoided if you simply disconnect the battery before you wash it and prep the engine bay properly (remove any 'covers' that might trap water and prevent it from completely evaporating like coil pack covers, block intake path, plastic bag over alternator, etc.) and allow ample time for all the water to evaporate before reconnecting the battery.
About the worst I've ever had is a misfire condition from water working its way into one of the spark plug recesses, but with my hood design, this could just as easily happen in the rain. No big deal, just scan the OBDII for which cylinder it is, and blow it out with some air.
The stuff in an engine bay is more robust than people give it credit for. It's designed to accommodate heat, cold, rain, dust, dirt, oil, extreme vibration, or any otherwise hostile environment for years and years. Anything sensitive like delicate PCBs are usually packed in solid resin or otherwise water proofed in a self contained module housing.
A little water isn't going to hurt anything, but I wouldn't use anything higher pressure than what you'd be willing to use on your paint job or hold the nozzle point blank, and don't spray it deliberately at places like the alternator or distributor that you covered with a bag or a relay or breakout box or something like that.
I'd worry more about vacuum hoses and fittings and possibly blowing them off with pressure and getting water in the lines more than anything else though, just don't get too close and use a wide low powered nozzle. And take the time to throughly inspect and dry everything, especially concave or recesses areas that can pool or trap water.
I think people are overly sensitive sometimes I think when it comes to the perceived delicacy of underestimated electronics. There was a guy who was using a PC while doing an experiment that involved submersing the PC in a turkey tray in boiling vegetable oil...
And any electrical problems can be avoided if you simply disconnect the battery before you wash it and prep the engine bay properly (remove any 'covers' that might trap water and prevent it from completely evaporating like coil pack covers, block intake path, plastic bag over alternator, etc.) and allow ample time for all the water to evaporate before reconnecting the battery.
About the worst I've ever had is a misfire condition from water working its way into one of the spark plug recesses, but with my hood design, this could just as easily happen in the rain. No big deal, just scan the OBDII for which cylinder it is, and blow it out with some air.
The stuff in an engine bay is more robust than people give it credit for. It's designed to accommodate heat, cold, rain, dust, dirt, oil, extreme vibration, or any otherwise hostile environment for years and years. Anything sensitive like delicate PCBs are usually packed in solid resin or otherwise water proofed in a self contained module housing.
A little water isn't going to hurt anything, but I wouldn't use anything higher pressure than what you'd be willing to use on your paint job or hold the nozzle point blank, and don't spray it deliberately at places like the alternator or distributor that you covered with a bag or a relay or breakout box or something like that.
I'd worry more about vacuum hoses and fittings and possibly blowing them off with pressure and getting water in the lines more than anything else though, just don't get too close and use a wide low powered nozzle. And take the time to throughly inspect and dry everything, especially concave or recesses areas that can pool or trap water.
I think people are overly sensitive sometimes I think when it comes to the perceived delicacy of underestimated electronics. There was a guy who was using a PC while doing an experiment that involved submersing the PC in a turkey tray in boiling vegetable oil...
Well
I gues I'm the exception as I've pressure washed every car I've had in the last 20 yrs, couple times a year.
I stay away from the electrical. Only had a problem once with my Ranger, died on me.
So I left it a day and then it started up no problem.
I gues I'm the exception as I've pressure washed every car I've had in the last 20 yrs, couple times a year.
I stay away from the electrical. Only had a problem once with my Ranger, died on me.
So I left it a day and then it started up no problem.
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