Under the hood washing???

[cmyc5575]

Can i do this at the local car wash by taking just a power washer to the inside of it or do i need to wrap or protect anything from doing this? i noticed that i have some dirt build up around most parts of the firewall.

[lap15]

I have done this several times at home (not at a carwash). Warm up the engine, take the air cleaner off and cover the carb opening with aluminum foil followed by several "walmart" style plastic bags. As long as you do not shoot water right down the carb, everything else should be fine.

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by lap15

I have done this several times at home (not at a carwash). Warm up the engine, take the air cleaner off and cover the carb opening with aluminum foil followed by several "walmart" style plastic bags. As long as you do not shoot water right down the carb, everything else should be fine.

R u sure thats all i would be scared to shoot something electrical.

[WarBeard]

Cover the Dizzy as well.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah cover the distributor and carb everything else a little water won't hurt.

[motornut]

after check the vac lines in case some came loose
try to use hot water it will cut the grease better
don't spray the harness plug at the firwall too much,can blast right threw-

[Squareforceone]

a big tip i haven't seen mentioned... when i cleaned my engine bay i was worried about the electrical stuff so i covered it.. and then i unhooked my battery cable so there wasn't power to anything and less chance of anything shorting out. But i also did it at hope with a power washer and let it dry well.

[Firebirdjones]

I wash the engines in the daily drivers all the time (dusty around here).

I like to use a little simple green (deluted 50/50 mix) to help knock any grease loose then a mild rinse with the garden hose, I don't bother to cover anything, I'm just carefull not to spray directly at the air intake. I've done this for years and it's never bothered anything electrical or otherwise.

I save the pressure washer for the bottom side of the car.

[lap15]

Originally Posted by motomech

Cover the Dizzy as well.

Shoot! Forgot about the distributor (Thanks guys).
Throw a plastic bag over that too, everything else is fine.

[wilkin250r]

Two main points. Cover sensitive components, and low pressure.

Covering components has already been mentioned. Like lap15 said, I like to use aluminum foil, then plastic bags. I also like to cover my alternator, there's too many holes in that thing, I don't want water getting in there and sitting.

LOW PRESSURE. Many carwashes have an engine degreaser/tire cleaner selection, and it's usually low pressure. When rinsing, use the spot-free setting because it's also usually low pressure. Higher pressure can pull wires, loosen connections and vacuum lines, make it's way around seals, ect ect ect. If high pressure is your only choice, hold it further away so you're not blasting sensitive areas with full pressure.

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

Two main points. Cover sensitive components, and low pressure.

Covering components has already been mentioned. Like lap15 said, I like to use aluminum foil, then plastic bags. I also like to cover my alternator, there's too many holes in that thing, I don't want water getting in there and sitting.

LOW PRESSURE. Many carwashes have an engine degreaser/tire cleaner selection, and it's usually low pressure. When rinsing, use the spot-free setting because it's also usually low pressure. Higher pressure can pull wires, loosen connections and vacuum lines, make it's way around seals, ect ect ect. If high pressure is your only choice, hold it further away so you're not blasting sensitive areas with full pressure.

Thanks everyone! This has been very helpful and will do that on the dis and the carb breather, I also like the tought of unhooking the battery cables, and maybe ever cover up the alternator to! Hitting the car wash tomorrow!!!

[Squareforceone]

Originally Posted by cmyc5575

Thanks everyone! This has been very helpful and will do that on the dis and the carb breather, I also like the tought of unhooking the battery cables, and maybe ever cover up the alternator to! Hitting the car wash tomorrow!!!

good luck, and don't forget we like pictures

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by Squareforceone

good luck, and don't forget we like pictures

Ill try to take some! i havent quite figured out the pic taking thing yet.
My truck has alot to go cometically and internally. but its a work in progress

[PAWS 72]

CAUTION DO NOT USE Easy off oven cleaner and Mean Green together. Talk about cleaning.All the way to metal.

Don't ask me how I know. haha

[Malo83]

I spray under the hood about 2/3 times a year to keep it clean, i'll spray the engine over with the soap and let it sit while I spray off the rest of the truck then come back and rinse everything down. Nothing is covered but I don't concentrate the spray on any elect connectors,been doing this for the last 25+ years with no problems


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[cmyc5575]

Originally Posted by Malo83

I spray under the hood about 2/3 times a year to keep it clean, i'll spray the engine over with the soap and let it sit while I spray off the rest of the truck then come back and rinse everything down. Nothing is covered but I don't concentrate the spray on any elect connectors,been doing this for the last 25+ years with no problems


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Now that looks good!!!

[Ski-me]

I would have normally said go for it as I've pressure washed my engine compartment for years. Just last week I changed the power steering hose and had some oil on the frame from the work. Took it to the carwash and pressure washed everything real good and it turned out great......

Except, this time when I got the speed up a bit, I started hearing an exhaust spudder. What I think happened is spraying the exhaust manifolds too long with water and they warped slightly. I've also heard there is a potential of cracking them as well so be careful. Now, keep in mind that I am missing a bolt or 2 from my manifold so that could be the main culprit so hopefully I can just get some bolts and tighten everything back up.

Just wanted to let you know......

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Ski-me

I would have normally said go for it as I've pressure washed my engine compartment for years. Just last week I changed the power steering hose and had some oil on the frame from the work. Took it to the carwash and pressure washed everything real good and it turned out great......

Except, this time when I got the speed up a bit, I started hearing an exhaust spudder. What I think happened is spraying the exhaust manifolds too long with water and they warped slightly. I've also heard there is a potential of cracking them as well so be careful. Now, keep in mind that I am missing a bolt or 2 from my manifold so that could be the main culprit so hopefully I can just get some bolts and tighten everything back up.

Just wanted to let you know......

I always wash mine while the engine is cold just because of this. Ironically when you use engine degreasers they always say to apply and wash to a warm engine. Something I never did. Funny they don't mention the drawbacks of cold water hitting a warm engine.

[otterby]

After I wash an engine and it dries I spray the entire engine compartment down with Armor All tire foam. As long as your not in the dust much I makes the engine compartment shine like new. It works especially well on newer cars and trucks with so much plastic under the hood.

[JRANGER]

I would be careful..I got water in my engine compartment removing some plastic i used to cover my windshield while painting the inner doors and my electrical stuff went crazy! Luckily i just let it dry and all went back to normal

[cmyc5575]

well i took it to the car wash this last saturday and mainly hit the back of the firewall and the frame along with the inner fenders just to hit all the grease and oil build up ( around the exaust maifold) and rust converted the mainfolds and turned out real good with no issues. i took pics but will post them up later.