Jet wash Engine Bay

[Claws]

Hi All

Looking for some do's and don'ts advice

I'm convinced at some point this year we will get some summer happening at weekends, which I would like to take advantage of  

Anyhow just bought myself a pressure washer for various jobs, and in particular I would like to give the Engine a good scrub and degrease. are there any other obvious concerns other than covering electrical connections? I also would like to scrub the alloy intake manifold, I don't want it off the car for shot blasting, so any tips on a cleaning product or wire brush perhaps as an alternative, would help. it will be using cold water by the way

As always any advice greatly appreciated

Steve

 

[Simjag]

Good luck!

Not had the balls to power wash under the bonnet! 

[Mr Lawrence]

Me neither.

 

its not like back in the day when you could but only had to worry about the dizzy cap!!

id just make sure the stuff you can see is clean with some type of spray cleaner and a cloth.

 

jet washing a modern unit will only end in tears!

[Raistlin]

Not something I'd attempt Steve. I did my Rover 620Ti some years ago and it took about 10 days to find out why it wouldn't start.

[Russ68]

Not sure I'd be so circumspect,  I did mine last year to no ill effect, but you have to be aware of what your spraying and don't deliberately spray into the electrical equipment! But I respect the opinions of those who have cautioned against it, so this is probably the safest course of action 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

If your going to clean the engine bay, use a degreaser and then just use a hose

Don't use a pressure washer, the pressure will push water past seals and it will damage bearings the other side

They won't fail short term,  but once they start rusting then it's going to cause some damage

Long term things like idler bearings and alternator will fail

Cheers

Joe

[Russ68]

Good advice there Joe, I mountain bike as well and the jet wash can ruin fork seals and other components well before their time. As I said, be aware of what you're jet washing, there's little danger on the body work, but misdirected on delicate components is asking for disaster. Most hobby washers are not very powerful, but still shouldn't be used indiscriminately. Or just use a hose, like the man said .

[Claws]

Many Thanks Chaps

For all your invaluable advice as always

Clearly something that I should avoid doing (I may not be as fortunate as Russ) so a soggy sponge and a bottle of degreaser it is then!

Sorry just a quick edit

I don't know if this makes a difference, but I believe the washer is rated at 1600 PSI but has two wands one is more or less a pin point flow, and the other is a wider spray

Any tips on the alloy intake manifold? just looking a bit grubby

Regards

Steve

[Old Peter]

Hi Steve, 

I had the engine bay of my company car done about 30 years ago at the dealers garage, and he used a spray degreaser - gunk or Jizer and then a steam cleaner.

All I would use  jet wash for is under wheel arches to get the mud off in the bad weather ----  I have had advice from a detailer not to use a jet wash on paintwork.

I use a small brush and elbow grease in the engine bay,

Regards,

Peter.

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

If I was going to clean a engine bay, first I would soak all the worst bits in WD40 and all the electrics, leave it a day, the WD40 will soften all the dirt

then put some degreaser on it, like gunk, on a cold engine is best,( hot engine with cause condensation to form inside parts as its hit by cold water )

leave it a while and wash it off, then start the car and get it hot so it all dries off, if it won't start, remove any covers and use a bit of compressed air around coil packs and spark plug recessed holes, petrol and diesel should start anyway.

then i would finish off in giving every thing a coat of WD40 or like, other wise all the ally bits start going furry quite quick

AND DON'T DO IT ON YOUR BLOCK PAVING!!!

cheers

Joe