Washed my engine with a water hose today and guess what.
09-10-2009, 03:14 PM
#42
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Yorktown Va
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No, I don't run the engine while washing it. I close the hood and start it afterwards. After a few mins of that, I use old rags to get the water that's left.
If you have an air compressor, use it to blow the hard to reach areas.
09-10-2009, 03:27 PM
#43
Safety Car
I never had a problem cleaning any of my engines. Just spray the cleaner on, let it sit a minute or two. Scrub the bad areas (If you have any) with a brush if you need to. Then rinse off the dirt (DONT FLOOD IT). And your done. 
And as said in a earlier post, many dealerships clean the engine when it's being detailed.
You may also want to do it on a warm day so the extra water in the engine bay dries quickly or drive the car down the road to heat up the engine so the extra water dries quickly.
*The only thing that i would NOT do is spray your engine down heavily with a tire dressing type spay. Many times this can cause the "check engine" light to come on as the tire dressing does not dry out as quickly as simple water. The oily tire dressing can seep into your wire connections and sometimes make the Check Engine light come on.
And as said in a earlier post, many dealerships clean the engine when it's being detailed.
You may also want to do it on a warm day so the extra water in the engine bay dries quickly or drive the car down the road to heat up the engine so the extra water dries quickly.
*The only thing that i would NOT do is spray your engine down heavily with a tire dressing type spay. Many times this can cause the "check engine" light to come on as the tire dressing does not dry out as quickly as simple water. The oily tire dressing can seep into your wire connections and sometimes make the Check Engine light come on.
Last edited by jr3; 09-10-2009 at 03:46 PM.
Job well done
07-23-2011, 04:55 PM
#51
Pro
I have used a very low-pressure pressure washer on my cars using hot water. I spray the engine with cleaner in the bad areas and let it sit for a few minutes and then use the pressure washer to remove the cleaner and dirt or grease. The washer I have is a very small washer and will not hurt belts or hoses if I hit them. Some of the more powerful pressure washers will scuff hoses or belts. That is not good. Using the hot water allows the oil and grease to be removed and leave a very clean engine or undercarriage. I put vegitable bags (not shower caps from local hotels) to cover the alternator and other sensitive areas. It always surprises me how good it comes out. I blow the engine off with air and then run it to dry. I have never had any issures doing it that way, and had very good results. 
Last edited by ensteele; 07-23-2011 at 04:57 PM.
07-23-2011, 06:12 PM
#52
The first time I cleaned my engine compartment I was a little leery of spraying water all over it so I used 5 cans of store brand brake cleaner to remove 50k miles of dirt, dust and oil spillage from around the filler tube. So far I have had no problems but I'm not sure if the chemicals in the brake cleaner would harm anything. But after reading this post I'll do what most have done here.
That engine compartment looks gorgeous 
What is CDW-2 ? I gotta get me some.
What is CDW-2 ? I gotta get me some.
07-23-2011, 08:07 PM
#55
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
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Mik
