Tabu or Not Tabu?
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Ortonville Mi
Tabu or Not Tabu?
I was going to do a light powerwash to my engine compartment with a 1300 psi elec pwrwasher. Then quickly dry it with my gas powered backpack leaf blower. Is this bad? I think some people only wipe the engine compartment out with towels. Is there some reason water is bad, afterall these are designed to run outdoors in the rain?
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi buckdog06 -
I pressure wash my two C5's frequently.
I do not spend a lot of time spraying on any one spot ofr a long time - and I try to stay out of the alternator.
I have never had a problem.
I make sure the engine is hot enough to help dry the engine off after spraying it, and I always take a half hour cruise after spraying to help ensure it dries out.
Check out Adams Polishes web site - he has a good vid posted about how to spray your engine.
best regards -
mqqn
I pressure wash my two C5's frequently.
I do not spend a lot of time spraying on any one spot ofr a long time - and I try to stay out of the alternator.
I have never had a problem.
I make sure the engine is hot enough to help dry the engine off after spraying it, and I always take a half hour cruise after spraying to help ensure it dries out.
Check out Adams Polishes web site - he has a good vid posted about how to spray your engine.
best regards -
mqqn
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by mqqn
I make sure the engine is hot enough to help dry the engine off after spraying it,
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have washed many engine compartments, but never with a pressure washer. Personally I don't think it's a great idea to use pressure. Water is okay of course, just not the pressure.
Your idea of using a leaf blower is fine to dry the majority of the standing water. When I've done it, I usually start with a cold engine, spray the areas I want to clean with something like Simple Green, let it sit, and then I take my garden hose without the nozzle and the water on at a very low pressure to wash off the gunk and the Simple Green.
Then I use my compressor to hit the standing water, and finally start the car and let the engine heat evaporate the rest. Naturally - I try to avoid wire looms and obvious electrical connections.....I've never had a problem with this technique. Once it's clean, it's pretty simple to keep it looking that way with a quick wipe down frequently.
Your idea of using a leaf blower is fine to dry the majority of the standing water. When I've done it, I usually start with a cold engine, spray the areas I want to clean with something like Simple Green, let it sit, and then I take my garden hose without the nozzle and the water on at a very low pressure to wash off the gunk and the Simple Green.
Then I use my compressor to hit the standing water, and finally start the car and let the engine heat evaporate the rest. Naturally - I try to avoid wire looms and obvious electrical connections.....I've never had a problem with this technique. Once it's clean, it's pretty simple to keep it looking that way with a quick wipe down frequently.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Engines were not meant to be sprayed. (where oh where is Evil Twin on this one!!!) It is so easy to clean right after you wash the car, pop the hood open and there is enough water on components to wipe down and then use rubber protectant on the hoses, etc. Worst case, I would use a little Simple Green in the bad areas, crevices, etc and then use a hose without a nozzle and control the flow in those areas FAR away from any electrical components. Sure you may never have a problem when using the pressure washer, but long term you have no idea what that water that got squirted at high pressure is doing to internal components. Not worth it IMO.
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From: Ortonville Mi
Thanks All- I'd never ever spray a hot engine. But I live 1 mile down a gravel road and it is getting a little dusty under the hood. My neighbors probably think I'm nuts blowing the car off with the blower but it works out great. No water spots. I even went and ran a extra water faucet into the garage that is softened water from the softener because the well water is bad with lots of iron in it. My cars never looked so good! I even got a new 5.5hp shop vac that really sucks just to clean the drop top. Cleaning it is a real "Labor of Love" but it's worth it. Best lookin car in Detroit! And Fast, just have to join a club so I can rip on a track with it
Drifting
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From: Clanton AL
Originally Posted by buckdog06
Thanks All- I'd never ever spray a hot engine. But I live 1 mile down a gravel road and it is getting a little dusty under the hood. My neighbors probably think I'm nuts blowing the car off with the blower but it works out great. No water spots. I even went and ran a extra water faucet into the garage that is softened water from the softener because the well water is bad with lots of iron in it. My cars never looked so good! I even got a new 5.5hp shop vac that really sucks just to clean the drop top. Cleaning it is a real "Labor of Love" but it's worth it. Best lookin car in Detroit! And Fast, just have to join a club so I can rip on a track with it
I live on a gravel road(not a mile tho
that's alot of dust) also and my car is black!!! I just go slow, and yesterday evening I cleaned my engine with a wet cloth, I took my time and wiped everything I could see with dust on it. Looks great now.
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From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by VetterGetIt
I live on a gravel road(not a mile tho that's alot of dust) also and my car is black!!! I just go slow, and yesterday evening I cleaned my engine with a wet cloth, I took my time and wiped everything I could see with dust on it. Looks great now.
that's alot of dust) also and my car is black!!! I just go slow, and yesterday evening I cleaned my engine with a wet cloth, I took my time and wiped everything I could see with dust on it. Looks great now.Maybe you can send around a flyer and see if everyone is willing to pay a few hundred to get the gravel road paved. That’s what I would do.
I asked the corvette club to do a caravan to the drive-inns for a night but they said they didn’t want to drive their cars on the gravel road. It’s just dust people.
Oh ya, I pressure wash under my hood but I cover up all the electrical components first.
Then I spray on a cleaner and let her fly. I ONLY do this when the motor is cool and afterwards I blow dry her down. It looks brand new when I’m done. It’s like sending your vette to the spa. Just make sure you don’t get the pedicure package.
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From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Since everyone is giving you free advise I didn't want to be left out.
1. I liberally spray down the engine compartment with Simple Green, wait about 10 minutes or so for it do its work.
2. Get a garden hose and let it warm up in the sun and then spray the entire engine compartment, or areas of focus, down. I don't use a full stream but close to it.
3. I use compressed air or shop vac, I don't own a leaf vac, to blow off excess or standing water.
1. I liberally spray down the engine compartment with Simple Green, wait about 10 minutes or so for it do its work.
2. Get a garden hose and let it warm up in the sun and then spray the entire engine compartment, or areas of focus, down. I don't use a full stream but close to it.
3. I use compressed air or shop vac, I don't own a leaf vac, to blow off excess or standing water.
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From: Ortonville Mi
Great Tips- thanks! Neighbors had the chance of black topping the road a few years back, but too many horse lovers were afraid thier horses would slip and fall on the ashpalt (hilly). I live in rural area 35 miles from N. Detroit. Still shoot deer in my back yard -bow/gun.
