Power wash (Car wash) suspension?
10-09-2010, 06:16 PM
#1
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Power wash (Car wash) suspension?
I'm getting ready to replace the rotors and pads on my 94 (Front and Rear) and think I could avoid some of the mess if I took the car to the local 25 cent car wash and sprayed the area to got some of the built up road grime off. Is there any danger of damaging the wheel speed sensors doing this? I'm thinking that if I do this it would be safer to take some rags or plastic bags and block off the shock mounting area to the engine and leave the engine running while doing this. Has anyone done this safely? I would regrease the ball joints and anything else with a zerk fitting afterwards.
Last edited by xphnmn; 10-09-2010 at 06:19 PM.
10-09-2010, 06:31 PM
#2
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I personally would not have the engine running while washing the car. To clean off the suspension spray some simple green on all of the parts (but not the springs themselves) let everything set for 60 seconds, wipe down with rags and then use a garden hose to throughly wash off the simple green. It's really not necessary to blast everything with a pressure washer. 
You can use the car wash pressure washer if you want but pre-spraying with simple green will get way more of the grease and grime off than just "really blasting it" with the pressure washer. And what ever you do do not pressure wash the front of the engine .... as you probably know .... this will get moisture into your unvented opti spark and cause issues later on.
You can use the car wash pressure washer if you want but pre-spraying with simple green will get way more of the grease and grime off than just "really blasting it" with the pressure washer. And what ever you do do not pressure wash the front of the engine .... as you probably know .... this will get moisture into your unvented opti spark and cause issues later on.
10-09-2010, 07:05 PM
#3
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I personally would not have the engine running while washing the car. To clean off the suspension spray some simple green on all of the parts (but not the springs themselves) let everything set for 60 seconds, wipe down with rags and then use a garden hose to throughly wash off the simple green. It's really not necessary to blast everything with a pressure washer.
You can use the car wash pressure washer if you want but pre-spraying with simple green will get way more of the grease and grime off than just "really blasting it" with the pressure washer. And what ever you do do not pressure wash the front of the engine .... as you probably know .... this will get moisture into your unvented opti spark and cause issues later on.
You can use the car wash pressure washer if you want but pre-spraying with simple green will get way more of the grease and grime off than just "really blasting it" with the pressure washer. And what ever you do do not pressure wash the front of the engine .... as you probably know .... this will get moisture into your unvented opti spark and cause issues later on.
10-09-2010, 09:59 PM
#4
Racer
I've power washed almost everything I own that I have to do any work on..... There's nothing wrong with power washing the suspension down and really nothing to worry about getting wet out there. If you're using a gas powered power washer and it has a '0*' straight tip you can damage things as it's like a water jet and can cut everything in sight, but the commercial you-wash-it type places fan out the water and are relatively safe.
I like using a degreaser first ( simple green, engine degreaser, purple power, etc.) , let it sit and soak in for a while then hit it with the pressure washer - if the ball-joint boots are torn already then a pressure wash will just point out the fact that they need to be replaced real soon anyhow...
If you're worried about the opti - lay a couple of towels over that area to get any errant spray - but you'll be primarily spraying out on the other side of the inner fender / splash shield so not much water should get in there...
I like using a degreaser first ( simple green, engine degreaser, purple power, etc.) , let it sit and soak in for a while then hit it with the pressure washer - if the ball-joint boots are torn already then a pressure wash will just point out the fact that they need to be replaced real soon anyhow...
If you're worried about the opti - lay a couple of towels over that area to get any errant spray - but you'll be primarily spraying out on the other side of the inner fender / splash shield so not much water should get in there...
10-09-2010, 11:24 PM
#5
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Shut her down and spray the crap off!
Make sure you cover the opti and DO NOT get it wet!
Use common sense when hitting brake lines and other wires.
When all is apart use some air to clean off the ABS sensors.
Clean is good. It shows you care.
Make sure you cover the opti and DO NOT get it wet!
Use common sense when hitting brake lines and other wires.
When all is apart use some air to clean off the ABS sensors.
Clean is good. It shows you care.
10-10-2010, 01:56 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
it would be nice...if...you could go in after hours and drive up on a couple of plastic wheel ramps.
p.s. I'm a real believer in power washing first, working last. Factor in a nice long drive after the wash down.
p.s. I'm a real believer in power washing first, working last. Factor in a nice long drive after the wash down.
10-11-2010, 11:56 AM
#7
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
I'm getting ready to replace the rotors and pads on my 94 (Front and Rear) and think I could avoid some of the mess if I took the car to the local 25 cent car wash and sprayed the area to got some of the built up road grime off. Is there any danger of damaging the wheel speed sensors doing this? I'm thinking that if I do this it would be safer to take some rags or plastic bags and block off the shock mounting area to the engine and leave the engine running while doing this. Has anyone done this safely? I would regrease the ball joints and anything else with a zerk fitting afterwards.
10-15-2010, 02:11 PM
#9
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In the preservation thread, a member added that they experienced an opti failure with a standard wash at the air driers at the end. I think generally if you haven't had any leakage on the seals it should be fine with any of this. Mainly you just have to worry about power washing under the hood. Anything else is fairly safe, sans driving through a huge puddle.
