Engine Detail
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Vidor Texas
Engine Detail
Have read several posts on how bad it is to wash an engine due to all of the electrical components.
Just to give my input i have a 2001 Z06 that I wash regularly with a low pressure water hose and give her a good ******* with my yard blower.
THOUROUGHLY.
Not sure if newer model corvette owners have experienced major problems from washing the engine or is it just a myth from the older corvette days that people had problems.
Just to give my input i have a 2001 Z06 that I wash regularly with a low pressure water hose and give her a good ******* with my yard blower.
THOUROUGHLY.Not sure if newer model corvette owners have experienced major problems from washing the engine or is it just a myth from the older corvette days that people had problems.
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Just use common sense... I use a garden hose/handle on the "Shower" setting. The bigges problem is forcing water up under the intake and frying the knock sensors.
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I think the replies were based on the OP planning to water blast the engine to clean off the gunk. I agree that it's OK to spray water sparingly, however not a good idea to set the hose on high pressure and just start blasting away.
Safety Car
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I have not put water on my vette engine yet, but I have washed engines on many other cars. I simply spray the engine with Simple Green, go get a cup of coffee and sit and drink the coffee, then I get my hose with low pressure and wash off the Simple Green and the dirt that comes with it. You must do this on a cold engine. So far (knock on wood) I have yet to have an electrical problem on an engine that I have done this way.
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Using a high pressure washer can get water into the electronics, but using a garden hose to gently rinse off any dirt/grime should be OK.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
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I had seen a video on www.adamspolishes.com where they actually used a hose to clean off the engine. The only caveat is to turn the engine on first, and lightly spray with water after using an APC. The idea with turning on the engine is to move the water spray away if the engine begins to sputter. I've used this system with no problem 
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On my 99 the engine was power washed prior to delivery. Within a week I had issues with the electronics, water was sitting in the battery tray and had started throwing codes. I dried it out and all was well. I used to hose it down, but have since just went with a Simple Green and a detailer for a good wipedown after compressed air blow.
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well from my experiences with vettes.....
C4 newer generation with the opti "crap" ~ I wouldn't dare even so much as say the word "water" near that device! Moisture alone from a good fog will mess that thing up lol.
C5 generation with all the zillion of sensors and multiple computer electronics...all of them probably running with electricity flowing through them if you have your battery in the car...I wouldn't personally spray anything down with water in the engine compartment. Why go through the risk of electrical gremlins? These are one of the worst types of things to fix on a C5.
The C5's under hood is so user friendly that with some good cleaners, a set of rags and plenty of room to move around that you really wouldn't have any need to spray something down to rinse it off. Just use a good cleaner wipe it down, use another rag to dry it off. No biggie.
C4 newer generation with the opti "crap" ~ I wouldn't dare even so much as say the word "water" near that device! Moisture alone from a good fog will mess that thing up lol.
C5 generation with all the zillion of sensors and multiple computer electronics...all of them probably running with electricity flowing through them if you have your battery in the car...I wouldn't personally spray anything down with water in the engine compartment. Why go through the risk of electrical gremlins? These are one of the worst types of things to fix on a C5.
The C5's under hood is so user friendly that with some good cleaners, a set of rags and plenty of room to move around that you really wouldn't have any need to spray something down to rinse it off. Just use a good cleaner wipe it down, use another rag to dry it off. No biggie.
Last edited by XtremeVette; May 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM.
Racer
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From: Regina SK
I've always pressure washed all of my car's engine bays, including the C5's and have never had a problem (even my LT1 trans am with the opti-puke, just put a rag over it before washing). Just don't go right up to anything, do it from a distance. Simple green followed by a garden hose or pressure wash from a distance works great.
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From: Delmar Delaware
I've always pressure washed all of my car's engine bays, including the C5's and have never had a problem (even my LT1 trans am with the opti-puke, just put a rag over it before washing). Just don't go right up to anything, do it from a distance. Simple green followed by a garden hose or pressure wash from a distance works great.
