[General] How To Wash Your Engine Without Drowning It.

[MattaY[s2]]

Thanks for the info gonna attempt this on sat...if my car doesn't start after it who's taking the blame?

 

[djdomohudson]

I might add that I was told once if I was going to wash my engine bay to just put a plastic bag over the alternator so that you don't get any water in it, that'll save you a bit of hassle

 

[toey@carfx]

interesting theory. i detail around 5 engines a week for last few years without any problems. its pretty simple really, spray with degreaser/acid/apc and let it do its thing for a couple of minutes, then hit it with the spitwater (flows 3x as much water as the fun of the mill gerni/karcher) while avoiding alternator, fuse boxes and injector wiring. after this i start the car and let it run for about 10-15 minutes so the heat of the motor evaporates all the water in the bay. i do this to my own car every 2 weeks with no issues. as mentioned above you can cover alternator with a plastic bag if you want extra insurance. water isnt the problem with engine bay cleaning, the problem is the person aiming the pressure washer. not realy a job (degreasing) to be done with just a garden hose as it wont have the pressure to lift off grease and oil but regular maintainace is fine.

 

[aaronevolution]

I clean the engine bay of my work Volkswagen Crafter every couple of months with degreaser and high pressure hose and I hose absolutely everything, alternator, electrics, and never had a problem in over 4 years with it.

 

[MattaY[s2]]

Forgive me if I sound stupid but I went to bunnies to buy one of these bad boys.. But I couldn't find em and when I asked the guy he basically just said no.. I was just gonna buy one anyway but I couldn't find a "swissmix" one so was gonna go to mitre but I really cbf with the 20 min drive... Then I thought why can't I just use my gerni but not turn it on? Is that the same amount of pressure I would get from one of these?

 

[Nut Kracker]

I just went to Bunning's yesterday and they had heaps. Not sure if they were the Swiss Mix ones though.
He obviously didn't know, or couldn't be bothered. I even saw them at the barging shop.
As far as the same pressure, dunno never used one. All I know is, that the pressure sprayer can give a very direct adjustable jet
and it has a small nozzle that can get into tight places.

 

[MattaY[s2]]

I just went to Bunning's yesterday and they had heaps. Not sure if they were the Swiss Mix ones though.
He obviously didn't know, or couldn't be bothered. I even saw them at the barging shop.
As far as the same pressure, dunno never used one. All I know is, that the pressure sprayer can give a very direct adjustable jet
and it has a small nozzle that can get into tight places.

Blah.. sucks... Just for reference what section were they in? gardening? with the sweed spraying things?

 

[Nut Kracker]

Blah.. sucks... Just for reference what section were they in? gardening? with the sweed spraying things?

Yep......Gardening section.

 

[PZVNGI]

great tip, thank you.

 

[IBLOWN]

Just put a Plastic bag over the ignition, spray degreaser and hose away.

I spray degreaser on first while the engine is stone cold and not running. Then i start the engine and instantly start hosing. That way if something does happen it will dry out a bit quicker.

And no you wont crack your block. Just dont hose it while its overheating...