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Washing under the hood of a car?

S

Sniper82

Lifer
My cars engine and other parts are quite nasty. I noticed at some car washes they had the option on the washer that showed a engine. I'd like to clean under the hood some but won't the water fry something since the battery is right there and there are plugs everywhere?
 
It'll probably be fine. I've completely and utterly doused my engine compartment with water before, to no ill effect.
 
As long as everything that needs to be covered up is covered, you'll be fine. If not, you have bigger problems than a dirty engine bay. Ever notice how the bottom of the engine bay is open?
 
If you *really* want to clean the engine bay, go in for a steam cleaning. The car wash places won't do jack, since everything under there will be covered in a thick layer of oil, grease, dirt, and tar, then baked on.
 
As long as you don't have some crazy car setup with anything like ITB's or any mods like a CAI then you'll be fine. The engine was designed to be sealed, and anyways, if you're washing it at a carwash the engine bay will be hot so it will evaporate the standing water pretty fast. The engine harness has plugs that are sealed as well and your firewall should be all plugged up unless you removed something so you'll be fine.
 
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Depending on your car, if you get certain things wet, such as the alternator, spark plugs, etc, strange things can happen.
Click to expand...


You're suppose to be able to power wash under the hood, if you can't/the car won't start, your car has problems.
 
Barring certain vehicles...washing under the hood is fine...it's not water tight when you are driving anyway.

However, steam and pressure washing; I would never recommend.

I usually use a little simple green and normal hose water pressure to rinse it down. I do this with the engine warm and immediately turn the car on to heat off any extra water. I then dry it as well as possible to avoid mineral / water spots.

If you go 100k miles and never wiped down under the hood, you are probably looking for some troubles if you get it fully clean.
 
Originally posted by: Philippine Mango
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Depending on your car, if you get certain things wet, such as the alternator, spark plugs, etc, strange things can happen.
Click to expand...


You're suppose to be able to power wash under the hood, if you can't/the car won't start, your car has problems.
Click to expand...


Not necessarily.

Some cars are prone to water getting into the distributor or spark plug boots. Toyota 4 and 6 cylinders are notorious for this. Also some Cadillac motors, as well as GM Iron Duke 4s. A lot of Asain cars with dual overhead cams (long spark plug wire boots). There are others.

I know this because the mechanical shop I run is right next door to a detail shop. They're regularly pushing cars out of their steam stalls.

Then there's the whole hydrolocking thing. Seen that happen too.

 
Steps to a clean engine bay

1. Buy simple green and brush
2. Spray simple green on engine, making sure to aviod spraying on electronics
3. Let sit for 10 minutes
4. Scrub with brush
5. Hose off with garden hose, besure to aviod electonics
6. ???
7. Profit.
 
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