Engine washing
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
1986 Engine washing
Has anyone ever power washed there engine? and what do you use and how well does it work. My engine is pretty clean but would like it cleaner.
Last edited by Sprout; Feb 6, 2005 at 03:09 PM. Reason: need year
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 19,149
Likes: 2
From: First to Sign Grumpy's Hat Only 53 miles from Hell
St. Jude Donor '06-'09-'10-'11
What year is your Vette??? Power washing earlier LT1 cars is not a good idea because of the opti. If your engine compartment is already pretty clean then I would just use an old wash mit and soap and water and get into the nooks and crannies. Then wash down with the hose using a fine mist.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 129
From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Sprout
Has anyone ever power washed there engine? and what do you use and how well does it work. My engine is pretty clean but would like it cleaner.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Shouldn't hurt it. But heres another method that seems to work for me. Spray down the engine compatment with Simple Green, especially soaking the really bad areas and avoiding potential danger areas (alternator and electrical connectors). Let sit for a few minutes and wipe/wash with an old wash cloth or rag also soaked in Simple Green. Rinse with a garden hose. Takes a little time, but I think its a little safer then a power was and you get good results ....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Originally Posted by lbitp37
I used to use Simple Green, but switched to Orange Blast, I found it to be Much Better.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
Use hot water, that helps to. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
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From: Obama=death for America
I powerwashed my L98 for about 10 minutes straight. And I kept the water's pressure up pretty high. I just tried to keep the spray away from the backside of the engine (where the distributor is).
Then I sprayed all the greasy areas with a concentrated degreaser. I waited about 5 minutes and pressured washed it again. Then the areas that were grease stubborn, I hand cleaned. It took some elbow grease for those spots. Then I washed it down again with the pressure washer.
I kept the car in the sun (with the hood still up) for a few hours to let everything dry. I applied dielectric grease on the windshield wiper's relay's contacts in case any water seeped in.
I started her up with no problems. I'm not advocating doing this. I'm just saying I didn't have a problem when I did it.
Then I sprayed all the greasy areas with a concentrated degreaser. I waited about 5 minutes and pressured washed it again. Then the areas that were grease stubborn, I hand cleaned. It took some elbow grease for those spots. Then I washed it down again with the pressure washer.
I kept the car in the sun (with the hood still up) for a few hours to let everything dry. I applied dielectric grease on the windshield wiper's relay's contacts in case any water seeped in.
I started her up with no problems. I'm not advocating doing this. I'm just saying I didn't have a problem when I did it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I pressure washed my '85 with no adverse consequences
I used commercial degreaser, then hot soapy pressure, then low pressure cold rinse. It comes out real real clean. I covered the distributor and put some plastic on a few relays and electrical connectors. I hit the suspension and underside as best I could reach. Right after, it started up no problem. Later I sprayed the whole underhood with tire foam and then wiped it all down. It looks new.
Maybe you could cause problem doing it the way I just described if you are not careful, though. It might be best to let it cool down before you begin.
Maybe you could cause problem doing it the way I just described if you are not careful, though. It might be best to let it cool down before you begin.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by lbitp37
I used to use Simple Green, but switched to Orange Blast, I found it to be Much Better.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,122
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If its an L98, have at it. Try not to get the distributor or the MAF soaked. Don't start it up immediately if you do hose down the TB and MAF, let it dry for a minute.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: durham nc
i just spray on degreaser let it soak in and then take my pressure washer to it ,now that i have my delteq kit i do it about once every month or to,since i did he degreaser the 1st time now i just take the washer to it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 47
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Originally Posted by WZDADS
Power washing earlier LT1 cars is not a good idea because of the opti.
-Rick
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,163
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From: Central Il
Originally Posted by lbitp37
I used to use Simple Green, but switched to Orange Blast, I found it to be Much Better.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
After spraying it on use a paint brush to work on the real grime.
Orange Blast
Formula 409
Wire brush
Lots of rags
Works good for me.