Engine wash
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
I wouldn't pressure wash it per se. But I don't think you should shy away from washing it. Try to keep water from getting underneath the intake. I wouldn't spray water directly into the alternator. I use cleaner, gently rinse. vacuum away the excess from the nooks and crannys, start it up and let it dry off.
I am sure there are some Q-tip weilders who will disagree.
Here is a thread I started some time ago with pics. Click Here
I am sure there are some Q-tip weilders who will disagree.
Here is a thread I started some time ago with pics. Click Here
Last edited by dndrsn; Jul 22, 2011 at 03:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 14
Not Me
Wouldn't do it on my corvette, but if you are going to, check out one of the coin fed do it yourself car washes. They have a low presssure setting especially for cleaning motors. Tried it on my d/d and it did a very nice job. 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
i washed mine..but the car was pulled out of the garage..from sitting all week..so engine was cold...i coved my intake, alt, and anything else i did not want getting wet..i then soaked the rest of the engine bay in spimple green...let it soak for a few mins..then just lightly rinised the bay down with the garden hose..on light pressrure...then i took a towel and dried the whole area
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Lot of contention on this, my take:
Yup, you can pressure wash it.
Yup there are some precautions you should probably take (I wouldnt blast straight into the alternator, or directly on top of the engine).
But, its rarely necessary. What works for me:
Spray everything down with a gentle cleaner/degreaser (fantastic, 409, whatever, just not something thats going to dull up all the plastic/rubber under there, even windex is fine).
Get one of those dish mops on a stick that you use to was the dishes, slosh around a bit on where you see accumulations just to loosen them up.
Take a regular garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle and rinse it off, lightly on top, farther down you really cant hurt anything.
Start it up, blow it off with the leafe blower while its drying.
Shut it down and spray it down again with a protectorant. I like Aerospace 303 (not a big fan of Armor All, and I would avoid that). You dont even have to wipe it off after spraying the protyectorant. Ya I know, sounds crazy right
But a friend mentioned it one time and I gave it a try, yup Wipe/NoWipe...looks the same.
Come back and look 30 min after you spray it down with the Aerospace and it'll look shiney and squeeky clean
Yup, you can pressure wash it.
Yup there are some precautions you should probably take (I wouldnt blast straight into the alternator, or directly on top of the engine).
But, its rarely necessary. What works for me:
Spray everything down with a gentle cleaner/degreaser (fantastic, 409, whatever, just not something thats going to dull up all the plastic/rubber under there, even windex is fine).
Get one of those dish mops on a stick that you use to was the dishes, slosh around a bit on where you see accumulations just to loosen them up.
Take a regular garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle and rinse it off, lightly on top, farther down you really cant hurt anything.
Start it up, blow it off with the leafe blower while its drying.
Shut it down and spray it down again with a protectorant. I like Aerospace 303 (not a big fan of Armor All, and I would avoid that). You dont even have to wipe it off after spraying the protyectorant. Ya I know, sounds crazy right
But a friend mentioned it one time and I gave it a try, yup Wipe/NoWipe...looks the same.Come back and look 30 min after you spray it down with the Aerospace and it'll look shiney and squeeky clean
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
i washed mine..but the car was pulled out of the garage..from sitting all week..so engine was cold...i coved my intake, alt, and anything else i did not want getting wet..i then soaked the rest of the engine bay in spimple green...let it soak for a few mins..then just lightly rinised the bay down with the garden hose..on light pressrure...then i took a towel and dried the whole area
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
Lot of contention on this, my take:
Yup, you can pressure wash it.
Yup there are some precautions you should probably take (I wouldnt blast straight into the alternator, or directly on top of the engine).
But, its rarely necessary. What works for me:
Spray everything down with a gentle cleaner/degreaser (fantastic, 409, whatever, just not something thats going to dull up all the plastic/rubber under there, even windex is fine).
Get one of those dish mops on a stick that you use to was the dishes, slosh around a bit on where you see accumulations just to loosen them up.
Take a regular garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle and rinse it off, lightly on top, farther down you really cant hurt anything.
Start it up, blow it off with the leafe blower while its drying.
Shut it down and spray it down again with a protectorant. I like Aerospace 303 (not a big fan of Armor All, and I would avoid that). You dont even have to wipe it off after spraying the protyectorant. Ya I know, sounds crazy right But a friend mentioned it one time and I gave it a try, yup Wipe/NoWipe...looks the same.
Come back and look 30 min after you spray it down with the Aerospace and it'll look shiney and squeeky clean
Yup, you can pressure wash it.
Yup there are some precautions you should probably take (I wouldnt blast straight into the alternator, or directly on top of the engine).
But, its rarely necessary. What works for me:
Spray everything down with a gentle cleaner/degreaser (fantastic, 409, whatever, just not something thats going to dull up all the plastic/rubber under there, even windex is fine).
Get one of those dish mops on a stick that you use to was the dishes, slosh around a bit on where you see accumulations just to loosen them up.
Take a regular garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle and rinse it off, lightly on top, farther down you really cant hurt anything.
Start it up, blow it off with the leafe blower while its drying.
Shut it down and spray it down again with a protectorant. I like Aerospace 303 (not a big fan of Armor All, and I would avoid that). You dont even have to wipe it off after spraying the protyectorant. Ya I know, sounds crazy right
But a friend mentioned it one time and I gave it a try, yup Wipe/NoWipe...looks the same.Come back and look 30 min after you spray it down with the Aerospace and it'll look shiney and squeeky clean
Depending on time, I dont even blow dry just drive the car, water evaporates off pretty quick.
Agree 303 is an awesome product after the engine and engine bay is dry.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
Here is a great write up from the North Country.
http://www.adirondackcorvettes.com/
I do this at least once a year and have never had a problem. Like others have said avoid spraying sensitive electronics directly and you should not have a problem.
http://www.adirondackcorvettes.com/
I do this at least once a year and have never had a problem. Like others have said avoid spraying sensitive electronics directly and you should not have a problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 2
From: Metairie Louisiana
C5's like to play strange electrical tricks on ya, so I'm not going to tempt fate. My engine isn't super clean but it doesn't look crudy either. I blow the dust off with compressed air and wipe down the most noticeable surfaces with a mild cleaner.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria California
I wash the engine compartment in my Z at the self service car wash. I cover the altenator with a plastic bag and also the battery compartment. I wash down with the soap cycle and rinse with the clear coat cycle. Never have had a problem. My engine compartment looks very clean. I do not like to use armor-all or other products as they tend to attract dust.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,992
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I just washed mine, last time I washed under the hood was 2003, it was really dusty!
Just used the garden hose with a sprayer on gentle shower, sprayed the black mat under the hood, and scrubbed all the areas I could reach.
I did it at home in the driveway in case it gives any trouble, it can just dry.
Just used the garden hose with a sprayer on gentle shower, sprayed the black mat under the hood, and scrubbed all the areas I could reach.
I did it at home in the driveway in case it gives any trouble, it can just dry.
