I just picked up a pressure washer on sale. Just spent the last 4 hours washing my driveway, back patio and house. It's sad how much fun I'm having with this thing.

Anyhow, I'm on a pressure washing binge and just thought about doing my engine bay. I'll obviously keep it away from the intake and anything that looks electrical, but the blast will pretty much mist everything. Is this ok?

 

all you need is a regular pressure hose to get off all the dirt and dust then you can use some chrome polish to brighten up the timing case.

if you use too much pressure you can tear some wiring

 

I will not recommend that... especially if you are out of warranty. Best way to clean engine is 'steam washing' by a detail shop. Usually costs about 20-30 bucks but its safe, relaiable and works great.

 

they make engine cleaner that you just spray on while the engine is running and hot. let it sit and then spray it off with a regular hose. just try not to concentrate the water too much on electrical components. dont worry about the intake either, it takes it being mostly submerged to really suck water in.

 

^+1

 

but seriously - the best results will always come by hand.

grab your self a bag-o-rags and some all purpose metal polish (meg's NXT works well) - get some plastic gloss as well

lightly hose down the entire motor assemble-remove the intake-and then polish the intake manifold and timing cover with polish. use plastic gloss on all plastic surfaces. it should look golden afterwards! should only take 2 hours.

 

Don't even think of using a pressure washer. Even a regular hose on regular spray is more pressure than you should use. Mist or light spray of water, citrus type cleaner with hand towels and some metal polish, 303 aerospace for plastic.

 

ya I just got a steam cleaner for Christmas gonna try it out sometime this week

 

The best way to wash your engine and you really must do it when it's cold. Cold water and Alum parts do not mix well and running the engine while washing it is a big nono.

Engine cold, spray simple green all over the engine. Use the water hose with a attachment pressure sprayer on it, and rinse the engine with the spread of water (like it's raining from the attachment). Try not to spray the water too much into the electrical parts of the engine like the alternator. The rest will be fine.

Then once the engine is rinsed, wipe it down and start it up for like 1 minute then turn it off.

 

^Simple Green is corrosive to Aluminum

 

I used a pressure washer on my old cars. I wouldn't use a steam cleaner. The steam from can get into the electrical connector and have thing short or not work at all due to corrosion on the terminals.

But car's I work on today. I just use regular water from the hose, Any APC,car wash soap, Wheel brush and paint brush and the ez brush, terry cloth towels and wrap up the alternator with foil and take off the intake and stuff the open on the throttle bode with towels.

 

ggg

 

Actually some people actually spray the engine down after they just clean it with the engine on.

 

Also you can use your pressure washer to rinse down your car, but use the low setting (Fan) on the paint and a safe distance away.

 

Spraying your engine with any kind of water is a bad idea. You can really do some electrical damage without even realizing it. I would hand clean if its that important to you.