Washing Engine Bay ---> Safe?
 

Is it ok to high pressure rinse my engine bay? I will of course, avoid electric/distributor/weak-wiring.

Yes, it should be...I've done it many a time before. Just take care of the alternator, etc. as you mentioned.

i don't suggest it, water mixed with any electrical isn't good. i suggest cleaning by hand, yes it's a bitch but much safer. i've had problems with varying cars after pressure washing, i since haven't tried it on a 7 but not that i want to go through the same BS of drying out components.

if you do, be sure to have an air compressor and a air gun handy to dry things out in case.

i would wrap the fuses, wiring, etc etc with tin foil just to make sure.

Guys, we're not working with the space shuttle here. ;)

Just don't aim for the alternator or the coils, or any of the relays, and you'd be fine. No need to wrap wiring or connectors, since connectors are weatherproof sealed, and wiring is, well, insulated...if it keeps electric current from arcing, then I think it can handle a bit of moisture.

yes, compressed air to blow off with is a good idea.

I personally have the engine running when I do this, since the heat created will cause the water to evaporate quickly lessening the chance of any problems.

+1

I've pressure washed and hosed down my engine several times without any trouble at all. I try to wash mine while the engine is warm but not hot...My dad warned me a long time ago that cold water on a hot engine can crack the block b/c it cools too fast. While I've never seen it happen...My dad used to build race cars...and has always been a reliable source for automotive information so, I'll take his word for it.

The only trouble I've ever had pressure washing an engine was on my old Mazda 323...I think I hit the Distibutor cap directly with the sprayer....(I'm an Idiot). I couldn't get the engine to fire for about 10-15 min until the heat from the motor evaporated the water.

I've brought 2 RX7s to a detailer. Did so because I did not want greese, oil, grime, dirt on the concrete driveway. Each time made sure they covered the ignitors and stuffed the air intake with rags. Each time the guys that did it (different detailers) were facinated with the rotary and gave it what I felt was special attention. Used compressor to help dry it off, dry ragged after that, then took it through the car wash. Was $25 each time and worth every penny. Not a single problem. Releived of that time and labor, I then had time to fine detail the engine bay to a spick and span gleam.

thats hilarious, sorry for laughing

I spray my block down with the advanced auto engine degreeser let it sit and just spray it down, I've done it 3 times now due to my leaky oil cooler lines and it looks pretty and works perfect afterwards

I have done it several times with engine cleaner and a garden hose and i have never had any problems. The engine bay isn't waterproof anyway. I just covered My air filter and alternater with plastic. The once I was done I ran the car to dry off.

Make sure the engine is running while you clean it

^ I hope your kidding

the engine needs to be cold if your going to use any kind of degreaser

unless you want to blow up your house

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/kl...m/bigughh3.gif

Dude, you can spray the canned engine degreaser onto a HOT EXHAUST PIPE and it will not ignite. We're not talking about paint thinner or something here...that can degreaser is pretty watered down stuff, meant not to damage paint, plastic, and rubber, it's good for soaking in over a period of a few minutes.

spray the degreaser on before you start the engine, Then start the engine. If the engine is running when straying it off it will let you know when you hit something you shouldn't. If the engine is off and you get water where it shouldn't be you will have to wait till it dries out. I have been cleaning engines for over 15 years everything from sentras to NSXs' and I have never f'ed one up yet. One more thing cold grease is next to impossiable to remove, now on the other hand hot grease will come off quite easy, something to remember.

can someone recommend a specific product please? my engine bay is as dirty as pussies.

:werd: lol... i actually like having the motor warmed up so the degreaser works better soaking into the grime and grease when warm. but degreasers remove protection like wax and sealant on paint. but meh just rewax =D .

You hang around the wrong pussies.... Go to any auto store and by a can of engine degreaser, any brand.

well, on my bimmer, the manuals says to never, ever use a pressure washer. Get a good degreaser and a scrubber and go with it... that said, I usually use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite.. that stuff cleans the grime off very easily...

dont you just love the smell of degreaser as you drive away and its still evaporating lol had a idiot at a light say.... hay man, your car is smoking from the engine bay lol

I've actually done this a couple of times, no problems so far. I clean the engine bay real nice, simple green with scrub brushes and tooth brushes, hose it down, then to finish it off...spray it down with some tire foam. That stuff leaves all the rubber hoses, and any black plastic, etc. looking nice and shiny. Like new. Not sure there is any detrimental effect from using the foam, but I haven't seen any yet.

I used to detail cars for my job in high school. It is fine to spray down an engine, just put a rag over the alternator and around the coils if you are afraid of messing something up. We always put a tad of grease on the belts after, to decrease the chance of squeaks. Also, most degreasers are just compressed kerosene with some other stuff in there... if you really dont feel like buying some degreaser or are too lazy to go to the store, put some kerosene in a spray bottle and squirt down the greasy parts... not the electronics though, and dont let it sit for quite as long.

hmm....i want to clean my engine bay also...ive been trying to get some answers...but to no avail, my engine bay is dirty as hell i wanted to clean it out so it looks good....or something.

:AA:

yeah i feel you, im just tired of having my hands HELLA dirty after a maintenace check up. STD's LOL.

on both of my rx-7's i went out and bought a can of GUNK from the local auto store, went to a carwash with a pressure sprayer when the engine was warm, spray the entire can all over the engine bay, scrubbed down some realy dirty spots with a toothbrush and let it sit for about a half hour, then used the pressure washer to spray it all off really good, then i dried everything off with towels and used some meguiers trim detailer on all the black plastic, always comes out very clean. i would not advise leaving the engine or any electronics on cause you would risk killing electronics if you accidentially get watter in there, but if its off you can dry it off before it kills stuff. heres a pic of what my engine looks like now after about a good 2000 miles after i cleaned it last.

Sprayed mine down with the hottsee at the shop and used the hottsee soap, rinsed, and drove off no problems here. BTW the hotsee was turned to max heat(well its kinda stuck there) we do this on any rig that comes in even the mercedes and they have way more wiring than the 7 wishes to have.

If you're doing this at home, one easy way to ensure the electronics and other water-sensitive items are safe from water is to remove them from the engine bay entirely. The coils and alternator are easily removed and replaced, as is the pod filter if you have one. Wrap a plastic bag around the alarm siren if you have one, as they definitely don't like getting water up the horn (who does). Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the solenoids if you still have them. They're just simple electrical devices, not "electronics" as such. The relays and fuses are fairly well protected as long as you don't spray them from below. Spraying WD40 or similar on electrical connectors will minimise water ingress. Disconnecting the battery's negative terminal wouldn't hurt if you're particularly paranoid.

But like Kevin said, it's not the Space Shuttle. Most of the stuff under the hood is pretty well protected from water anyway. Most damage is done by water sitting somewhere for a long time and causing corrosion. Once the engine is clean and everything's back together, let it drip-dry for a while then go for a drive and get everything nice and hot. There will be no moisture in the engine bay when you get back.

BTW, don't forget to remove the plastic bag from the pod filter before starting the engine, otherwise you'll suck the filter in on itself. Don't ask me how I know this....