I was wondering ... will there be any harm done if I were to wash my engine compartment at the high pressure car wash?
Car Wash
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
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I believe in the Beer Fairy
I wouldn't.....I use the GUNK Citrus Based cleaner...does a great job and make sthe rubber / plastic look great as well...low pressure spray to rinse....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 2
From: North Manchester Indiana
I have done this for years on all of my cars and trucks,, Neverhad a problem. just make sure you dont spray directly into alternator or ignition....I usually keep the pressure down and kind of rinse important stuff, and blast the grime on the block and other dirty areas,,,,use some judgement and you should be fine. My motors are clean all the time. I usually spray wd-40 or some protectant overt the metal and plastic, staying away from hoses and belts. I have washed others engines and had some funny things happen with wipers and things until they dried out (bosses truck) ...As I said before , dont use high pressure on electrical stuff....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 0
From: Central TX
yes, i usually cover electrical pars with plastic bags and tape them tight. it's just a reminder for me not to directly spray there, and keeps extra water splash from hitting it. just a precaution i have done as a habit over the yrs
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
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From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I use simple green and after soaking for a few minutes, rinse off with light mist of water from garden hose. Also always cover alternator with plastic.
Never any problems and always great results with this method.
Never any problems and always great results with this method.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There was a post a while back that stated that if water is left standing around the knock sensor connectors (below the intake manifold) it will cause them to corrode and fail!
BC
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
I recently took mine to the car wash and hosed out the engine compartment. I really wanted to remove the fuel rail covers first but I knew there could be trouble if I did that. Left them ON ! Used the soap spray first then the rinse spray. Try to go easy around the Alt. Came out great. Towel dryed everything under there then went home and gave the whole car a hand wash.
Just be careful not to seperate the layers of underhood insulation. Don't hit the insulation on the edges from an angle. Angle the wand so it points straight at the insulation.
Just be careful not to seperate the layers of underhood insulation. Don't hit the insulation on the edges from an angle. Angle the wand so it points straight at the insulation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
In addition to all the good pointers above, I'll just say I've been doing it for decades and never had a problem except once. I cracked the cast iron exhaust manifold on one car. Ever since then I've been careful to make sure the motor wasn't real hot. I do a light cooldown spray first then I work on other grimy areas before I come back to work on the motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,106
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From: Norwich NY
Pull in the car wash,Shut it off, spray it with Simple Green, wait a little, spray it away but as stated above, don't spray in the alternator..
Wipe off the things you want. Start it and go..
Works for me..
Wipe off the things you want. Start it and go..
Works for me..
Collections Hold
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
I use a product named Bike Bright. It is a very good cleaner and doesn't harm paint, rubber, electrical, aluiminum and leaves a special protectant on all rubber making it look new. It is made for motorcycles and engineered to be sprayed on everything (not in alt) and just hosed off with no drying need. works great.