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Washing the Engine Compartment?

guyver01

guyver01

Lifer
I have a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser... and haven't had the engine compartment cleaned since i got the car.

I'm curious if i can do this at one of those self serve car washes?
self-service.jpg





112_0810_10z+2008_toyota_FJ_cruiser+engine.jpg


What would i need to cover? how would i cover it?

(note.. this is a stock image.. NOT mine.. mine is much dirtier)
 
Throckmorton said:
No. Just leave it alone.
Click to expand...

why? my car. if i want stuff to look clean, i will clean it.

while researching this on the web, found quite a few automotive enthusiast websites that say it's perfectly fine to clean the engine at a self-serve car wash... they all recommend using the 'rinse' setting as it's not as powerful and wont force water into sealed components, and to put a plastic shopping bag over the battery (and other electrical components) to keep them dry.

Now i just need to figure out what else needs to be covered.
 
guyver01 said:
why? my car. if i want stuff to look clean, i will clean it.

while researching this on the web, found quite a few automotive enthusiast websites that say it's perfectly fine to clean the engine at a self-serve car wash... they all recommend using the 'rinse' setting as it's not as powerful and wont force water into sealed components, and to put a plastic shopping bag over the battery (and other electrical components) to keep them dry.

Now i just need to figure out what else needs to be covered.
Click to expand...

Why are you asking for people's opinions/advice if you've already made up your mind to do it?
 
These days, most places do not want the coolant, grease, and oil washed into either the drainage system or the water recycling system.

There is no need whatsoever to cover the battery, though. Just avoid hitting it with the high pressure spray, to avoid forcing water into the vents. Just wetting it poses no problems whatsoever.
 
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for piece of mind i would avoid/cover the battery and alternator. maybe the intake and any electrical connectors directly. I've done it once only because engine had an oil leak and i wanted to know if it was still there. I just used a garden hose and did it in the alley. Used some simple green let it soak for 5 minutes and washed it off. It didn't do much...

this would be great to get MUD and loose dirt off the engine but thats about it.
 
Get some engine degreaser and spray that on the engine and other parts when cool and cover any electrical stuff up if in the way.

Let sit a couple minutes or so and then with very low pressure wash the cleaner off. Then wipe the engine down. Let it sit a 1/2 hour or more then start with the hood open and idle for 5minutes then drive.


Don't use high pressure on the engine bay and cover any major electrical parts up.
 
I've used both the high pressure soap and rinse on the engine bay of my cars for years and never had a problem.
 
Go to your local motorcycle shop and buy a can of 'honda polish' (might have to ask as the formula is sold under a few different names).

Spend 2 hours with a couple of rags wiping everything down.


I don't use the engine degreaser products..
 
Bah - classic, AT folks over complicating shit. Get a few cans of engine degreaser - spray it on a WARM engine, use some brushed to dislodge the worst grease, spray it off with a hose.
 
Simple Green also works well. On my cars anyway, the worst I'm washing off is caked on dirt and grime. I try to fix leaks before the engine turns black 😛
 
I've used rinse setting (dont pull the trigger) under the hood of my fusions several times without covering anything or avoiding any areas with no ill effects
 
guyver01 said:
why? my car. if i want stuff to look clean, i will clean it.
Click to expand...

Because "my car. i want stuff to look clean" doesn't mean you aren't going to damage it.


while researching this on the web, found quite a few automotive enthusiast websites that say it's perfectly fine to clean the engine at a self-serve car wash... they all recommend using the 'rinse' setting as it's not as powerful and wont force water into sealed components, and to put a plastic shopping bag over the battery (and other electrical components) to keep them dry.

Now i just need to figure out what else needs to be covered.
Click to expand...
That is stupid. There are a lot of electrical and electronic components that you won't realize are even there, and that the "rinse" setting and some plastic bag won't protect.


You want to fuck up your truck, go right ahead, and don't come crying to us when you do.
 
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T2urtle said:
for piece of mind i would avoid/cover the battery and alternator. maybe the intake and any electrical connectors directly. I've done it once only because engine had an oil leak and i wanted to know if it was still there. I just used a garden hose and did it in the alley. Used some simple green let it soak for 5 minutes and washed it off. It didn't do much...

this would be great to get MUD and loose dirt off the engine but thats about it.
Click to expand...

Note how this person is telling you what to protect, and he left out several things that you can't get wet.
 
guyver01 said:
wow... you're a buzzkill. it's not going to "fuck it up" ...

and i think i'll follow the advice found here:

http://www.fjc-mag.com/April-2010/fj-cruiser-cleaning.html
Click to expand...


Saying "it's not going to fuck it up" doesn't make it so. This isn't the land of wishes and dreams.

Make a list of every component you can't get wet. Try it. You can't. Your "FJC Mag" article doesn't list a single one and only says to avoid getting belts and aftermarket wiring wet.

Please tell me what is wrong with a damp cloth? Why are you so insistent on pressure washing your engine bay?
 
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Oh yeah, and how long are you going to let the engine cool down before washing it?


I bet you didn't know that the cooling action of water on a hot engine can damage seals, did you?
 
guyver01 said:
wow... you're a buzzkill. it's not going to "fuck it up" ...

and i think i'll follow the advice found here:

http://www.fjc-mag.com/April-2010/fj-cruiser-cleaning.html
Click to expand...

FWIW I've personally seen two cars have issues after a 'car wash engine clean'.. One was mine, and leaving it to dry for 4-5 hours was enough.

The other time a buddy got water in an ignition coil module (car had coil over plug setup) which blew the module, or some related part.



I also have numerous 2ndhand account of issues.





So while "it's going to fuck it up" might be a bit strong, to insinuate that it's definitely going to be okay is IMO 'more wrong'.
 
Throckmorton said:
Oh yeah, and how long are you going to let the engine cool down before washing it?


I bet you didn't know that the cooling action of water on a hot engine can damage seals, did you?
Click to expand...

Let people do what they want with their stuff. Mechanics need something to do.

Why people obsess over a clean engine bay I'll never know. I like driving my vehicles, not sittig in front of them admiring the plastic laden engine bay.
 
JeffreyLebowski said:
Let people do what they want with their stuff. Mechanics need something to do.

Why people obsess over a clean engine bay I'll never know. I like driving my vehicles, not sittig in front of them admiring the plastic laden engine bay.
Click to expand...

Come on, you don't want those mechanics to be having to dig around in a filthy engine compartment, do you? They'd appreciate it if it was clean!
 
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