Engine Cleaning ?

[crotchrocket]

I opened my bonnet (hood ) today and its full of mud!! can i pressure wash this engine ok? Anything majour to keep away from??

[Chopper]

I usually avoid a pressure washer. But a strong hose. 409 type cleaner, and a good long bristle brush can do wonders. Stay away from the Fuse/relay box and the computer. If it's real bad, bag 'em with plastic, and use the PW with care...

[VehiGAZ]

More than a couple of us have run into engine problems after pressure-washing because of water getting up under the ignition pack seals and down into the spark plug tunnel. So you ened to be careful of that. It's easy to rectify though - just remove each ignition pack and dry out any water that's gotten down in the hole.

That's the only problem I've had. It would be best to wash it in the morning and let it sit with the hood (um, sorry - bonnet) up until the engine bay dries out.

Good luck!

[VXD959]

Hey, I just cleaned my daughter's car engine a hosed off all the stuff. Now the little truck is running like it is on 3 cilynders instead of 4. Do you think that's the problem ("water getting up under the ignition pack seals and down into the spark plug tunnel")???

Thanks,

[VehiGAZ]

That is exactly the problem, I'll bet. It can be intermittent too. I replaced the ignition pack on the driver's-side front cylinder when it happened to me, but saw that the water down in the hole when I was replacing it. The water shorts/grounds the ignition pulse, so no spark and it feels like it's not running on all cylinders.

It IS possible to burn out an ignition pack, but try drying it out first.

Good luck!!

[WormGod]

Ya, it isn't exactly "illegal" to wash your engine bay, but definitely know what you can and can not zap with water. I usually give the engine bay a once over every time I give her a bath, and every few times I will use an spray cleaner in there that sits for 15 mins before spraying off with water again. Never had any problems, but it also pays to know what NOT to get wet or over-saturate, heh. Totally needed after winter ends here to get all that salt out of there.

And for the love of God, do NEVER use a pressure washer in there, heh. That isn't exactly "illegal" anyways, but it probably should be.

[crotchrocket]

Cool, thanks guys. a hose, brush and common sense it is then