Washing Engine
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Don't do it. There are many areas under the hood that should not be exposed to water. I have found Simple Green to be mildly corrosive to some types of metal and shiny fittings on hoses may end up looking bad. Unless you took your car thru a swamp there is no need to do this. Waxing the car is a less harmful pastime.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 447
From: FEMA Region 4
I use Simple green to clean engines. As long as they aren't hot when you spray it on and don't let it sit for a while it does a good job. Just don't use purple cleaner. It reacts with the aluminum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I just used a mixture of 50% Simple Green and 50% Water to soak the engine compartment yesterday. Sprayed everything in sight and anywhere where I could aim the spray from the bottle. Let it sit for about 10 minutes then hosed down the engine compartment to rinse everything off. Used a gentle spray from the hose. Once it was rinsed off I closed the hood, started the engine and let it idle while I washed the rest of the car. Once done washing I dried the car and shut off the engine. Other than some puddles of water on top of the S/C everything was pretty much dry.A couple of drops here and there. Engine heat goes a long way toward drying the engine compartment and the engine ran great the whole time. When I shut off the engine the oil temp was up to 186 which is just right for checking the oil level in the dry sump.
I have been washing all of my engines this way for around 30 years with no issues. As long as you don't use a high pressure spray that can force itself past the standard seals in the electrical connectors no harm will be done. Simple Green is an effective cleaner that gets rid of grease and dirt and is actually bio-degradeable.
Bill
I have been washing all of my engines this way for around 30 years with no issues. As long as you don't use a high pressure spray that can force itself past the standard seals in the electrical connectors no harm will be done. Simple Green is an effective cleaner that gets rid of grease and dirt and is actually bio-degradeable.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 858
I just used a mixture of 50% Simple Green and 50% Water to soak the engine compartment yesterday. Sprayed everything in sight and anywhere where I could aim the spray from the bottle. Let it sit for about 10 minutes then hosed down the engine compartment to rinse everything off. Used a gentle spray from the hose. Once it was rinsed off I closed the hood, started the engine and let it idle while I washed the rest of the car. Once done washing I dried the car and shut off the engine. Other than some puddles of water on top of the S/C everything was pretty much dry.A couple of drops here and there. Engine heat goes a long way toward drying the engine compartment and the engine ran great the whole time. When I shut off the engine the oil temp was up to 186 which is just right for checking the oil level in the dry sump.
I have been washing all of my engines this way for around 30 years with no issues. As long as you don't use a high pressure spray that can force itself past the standard seals in the electrical connectors no harm will be done. Simple Green is an effective cleaner that gets rid of grease and dirt and is actually bio-degradeable.
Bill
I have been washing all of my engines this way for around 30 years with no issues. As long as you don't use a high pressure spray that can force itself past the standard seals in the electrical connectors no harm will be done. Simple Green is an effective cleaner that gets rid of grease and dirt and is actually bio-degradeable.
Bill
Well stated Sir.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
I wouldn't go crazy and pressure wash, but they're built to be weather tight.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
I wouldn't go crazy and pressure wash, but they're built to be weather tight.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
The advice to not use high pressure is good, otherwise I think you'll be ok to wash the engine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 257
From: Oklahoma City OK
Simple Green is corrosive to aluminum.
Simple Green Aviation is not.
Edit: I'm not saying it is a big deal for what we are talking about here, but I wouldn't use it on my 1970's airplane.
Simple Green Aviation is not.
Edit: I'm not saying it is a big deal for what we are talking about here, but I wouldn't use it on my 1970's airplane.
Last edited by etekberg; Oct 20, 2016 at 05:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 1,767
Extreme Simple Green® Motorsports Cleaner & Degreaser says right on the bottle non-corrosive.
"Ideal for use on aluminum, chrome, titanium and other high-tech alloys, painted and gel-coated surfaces, anodized and electroplated parts, carbon fiber, a variety of metals, plastics, rubber and much more."
"Ideal for use on aluminum, chrome, titanium and other high-tech alloys, painted and gel-coated surfaces, anodized and electroplated parts, carbon fiber, a variety of metals, plastics, rubber and much more."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 858
Extreme Simple Green® Motorsports Cleaner & Degreaser says right on the bottle non-corrosive.
"Ideal for use on aluminum, chrome, titanium and other high-tech alloys, painted and gel-coated surfaces, anodized and electroplated parts, carbon fiber, a variety of metals, plastics, rubber and much more."
"Ideal for use on aluminum, chrome, titanium and other high-tech alloys, painted and gel-coated surfaces, anodized and electroplated parts, carbon fiber, a variety of metals, plastics, rubber and much more."
Good info....Thank you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
I wouldn't go crazy and pressure wash, but they're built to be weather tight.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
As someone who used to own an honest-to-goodness Optispark, I say wash away. Back in the Optispark days someone would spill a Coke at the intersection you were waiting at and it'd misfire and stall.
Do we have anything as fragile as the OptiPuke on the C7Zs?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill