My engine compartment is quite dirty. It's the place I never clean when I clean my car. But I would like to give it a makeover and ensure that is in great visual condition.
Here's my stupid question: Can I clean it using a low/medium-pressure water sprayer?
They have these low/medium pressure water sprayers at local gas stations and it says on them it's "safe" to wash your engine compartment with them. I am just worried about the electronics...
If the experts here tell me to abstain from this, I'll gladly clean my engine compartment manually. Can anyone recommend any specific cleaning sprays/liquids that might come in handy? Thanks!
(http://wetakepic.com/images/2017/10/01/BMWEngine1.jpg)
(http://wetakepic.com/images/2017/10/01/BMWEngine2.jpg)
(http://wetakepic.com/images/2017/10/01/BMWEngine3.jpg)
(http://wetakepic.com/images/2017/10/01/BMWEngine4.jpg)
(http://wetakepic.com/images/2017/10/01/BMWEngine5.jpg)
It should be fine. Try to avoid spraying the coil packs and plug wires directly, but stuff like the valve covers, engine block, fender wells, etc. can all be safely hosed off. Some places have engine bay cleaner as an option on the pressure washer. If not, you could pick up some degreaser at the store and spray it on before hosing it off.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on October 01, 2017, 12:31:14 PM
It should be fine. Try to avoid spraying the coil packs and plug wires directly, but stuff like the valve covers, engine block, fender wells, etc. can all be safely hosed off. Some places have engine bay cleaner as an option on the pressure washer. If not, you could pick up some degreaser at the store and spray it on before hosing it off.
Good info, thanks! :ohyeah:
I wouldn't spray the water on wires directly (afraid of electronic issues afterwards).
And should I do the initial water spraying when the
engine has cooled down somewhat?
Quote from: CaminoRacer on October 01, 2017, 12:31:14 PM
It should be fine. Try to avoid spraying the coil packs and plug wires directly, but stuff like the valve covers, engine block, fender wells, etc. can all be safely hosed off. Some places have engine bay cleaner as an option on the pressure washer. If not, you could pick up some degreaser at the store and spray it on before hosing it off.
+1
If you're feeling ambituous, take a scrub brush to scrub extra grimy areas.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on October 01, 2017, 12:33:17 PM
And should I do the initial water spraying when the engine has cooled down somewhat?
Yeah, you could open the hood and let the heat escape for a few minutes before spraying it.
I personally wouldn't use high pressure. Nothing more than a regular garden hose pressure.
Don't spray water on an engine that's too hot to touch with your bare hands
Avoid spraying high pressure water on electrical components or connectors (fuse box, spark plug coils, etc). These can get wet, but a direct, high pressure stream can force water past weather seals and cause a short circuit.
Avoid spraying high pressure water at the air box.
Avoid spraying high pressure water at the radiator, you can damage the fin stock
Pressure washers lose a lot of oomph at distance, so if you're not right on top of it, it'll be fine. Just keep the wand up at head height, a solid few feet from the engine itself. I usually go the extra mile and cover stuff like air intakes, alternator, and fuse boxes with rags, as those can just be wiped down later.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on October 01, 2017, 12:43:01 PM
Yeah, you could open the hood and let the heat escape for a few minutes before spraying it.
:ohyeah:
Quote from: MX793 on October 01, 2017, 02:00:44 PM
I personally wouldn't use high pressure. Nothing more than a regular garden hose pressure.
Don't spray water on an engine that's too hot to touch with your bare hands
Avoid spraying high pressure water on electrical components or connectors (fuse box, spark plug coils, etc). These can get wet, but a direct, high pressure stream can force water past weather seals and cause a short circuit.
Avoid spraying high pressure water at the air box.
Avoid spraying high pressure water at the radiator, you can damage the fin stock
Great info, many thanks! :cheers:
Perhaps the best thing for me to do is do this manually. I'd still have to do this at a gas station since washing/cleaning your car on the street is illegal here...
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 01, 2017, 02:12:05 PM
Pressure washers lose a lot of oomph at distance, so if you're not right on top of it, it'll be fine. Just keep the wand up at head height, a solid few feet from the engine itself. I usually go the extra mile and cover stuff like air intakes, alternator, and fuse boxes with rags, as those can just be wiped down later.
:ohyeah:
I need to wash the engine bay of the S2000 soon. Personally, I'm going to avoid the power washer. Going to try to steam clean instead. Should be a lot safer I think.
No matter what you use, it's safe if you're not an idiot. :huh:
The fear people have of cleaning their engine bay is similar to the fear people have of buffing.
I'm gonna do it manually. Gonna go to the supermarket tomorrow to look for specific engine cleaning sprays/liquids etc. My local supermarket has a chemical section which offers all sorts of car cleaning supplies.
Is there a point to cleaning the engine bay of a car that's not a show car?
Quote from: Raza on October 03, 2017, 09:55:35 AM
Is there a point to cleaning the engine bay of a car that's not a show car?
It just makes me feel better if my engine bay is clean. I mean it wouldn't hurt to clean it once in awhile. ;)
Quote from: Raza on October 03, 2017, 09:55:35 AM
Is there a point to cleaning the engine bay of a car that's not a show car?
Not really. Most cars go their entire lives without the engine bay ever being cleaned.
Figured as much. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something damaging by not cleaning it.
Quote from: Raza on October 03, 2017, 10:25:06 AM
Figured as much. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something damaging by not cleaning it.
It's the thing under the front hatch in your car that's no good for storing vintage leather briefcases in.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on October 04, 2017, 07:09:23 AM
It's the thing under the front hatch in your car that's no good for storing vintage leather briefcases in.
Joke's on you, my last sports car didn't even have an engine bay. Both trunks were vintage leather briefcase storage units.
If the spark plugs are at the bottom of deep Wells, then don't put water on the engine. I've made a bunch of cash fixing misfires caused by this shit.
This explains why your coils keep crapping out.
Quote from: Raza on October 04, 2017, 08:15:53 AM
Joke's on you, my last sports car didn't even have an engine bay. Both trunks were vintage leather briefcase storage units.
Ridiculous.
One of those was clearly meant for a golf bag.
Quote from: shp4man on October 04, 2017, 01:17:22 PM
If the spark plugs are at the bottom of deep Wells, then don't put water on the engine. I've made a bunch of cash fixing misfires caused by this shit.
Just remove the plugs and coils before spraying water on top of the engine so they stay dry.
Quote from: MX793 on October 04, 2017, 03:47:38 PM
Just remove the plugs and coils before spraying water on top of the engine so they stay dry.
Well, if you take out the plugs, where will the water go? Yep, that's right!
Quote from: shp4man on October 04, 2017, 04:02:33 PM
Well, if you take out the plugs, where will the water go? Yep, that's right!
Crank the engine a couple times without the plugs, then reinstall.
A little bit of water isn't bad. It'll steam clean junk off the top of the pistons and valves.
Quote from: shp4man on October 04, 2017, 04:02:33 PM
Well, if you take out the plugs, where will the water go? Yep, that's right!
:devil:
The coilpacks are probably on their way out anyways so put em out of their misery and blast away
Quote from: mzziaz on October 04, 2017, 01:48:57 PM
This explains why your coils keep crapping out.
The last time they went sour was at 40,000 km+. I now have 120,000 km+ and the only thing which has since gone wrong between that time was a faulty brake light bulb. I know what you're thinking: WHAT A POS. :lol:
Oh good idea. Wash the brake light housings out too
So did you do it? Pics?
Quote from: shp4man on October 04, 2017, 04:02:33 PM
Well, if you take out the plugs, where will the water go? Yep, that's right!
die Wimmer Dampfmaschine.