Is there anything i need to cover up (wires), when cleaning the engine bay. Also is there any recommendations when power washing the engine bay.

thanks

 

i would basically cover up anything electrical, especially when pressure washing. is your engine bay that dirty?

 

I don't recommend power washing it. Spray the bay down with a cleaner (avoid electrical stuff), scrub it in, then rinse off with low pressure water. I can't imagine your engine bay being that dirty.

 

if you wash it once or twice a year you can use soap and water with a hose. I use a long bristled brush, and just go over everything with it, then rinse.

 

what i do is to wash everything with degreaser then with an air hose i blow the water out, then i spray the engine with wd40... pretty thing to look at when you are done

 

at our high pressure diy car wash things they have different settings, one is a low pressure engine and tyre cleaner, maybe try that if u have it
also cover up ur intake (sri cai) if u have one
"it was just vapour lock"[/simpsons]

 

i've only washed it about twice now, and did what i do with the land cruisers at work - leave the engine running to it dries off quicker and avoid things like fuse boxes - you could even tape things like that up before you wash it if you are really worried.
Wasn't greasy so didn't use the 'tyre and engine cleaner' at the DIY place just high pressure water in short bursts to get the dust off and focused on the occasional grimey bit. I'd expect a normal hose at home would be worse as its water pouring on and not just a mist.
A very good point though, something to think about in case it could be bad for the car

 

PR_Mivec,

Doesn't that WD40 cook on your engine and turn nasty?

 

When you do wash it I recommend having the motor running as not to flood it out. I normally use a degresser on my engine then use the spot free rinse to rinse it out. Cover up all electrical stuff as they have said and do not hold the water in one place for too long.

 

i dont use it on the head or block, just on the hoses, black plastics, booster, covers and anyhting that doesnt "heat up" too much
so far noo cooking, goo, gump, blubber, nada

 

I've never cleaned mine due to bad past experiences. My past mitsus had issues after

 

Here are my steps;

1 open my hood
2 remove battery
3 with a plastic bag cover the following: (alternator, fuse box, fan control boxes, throttle by wire system)
4 Spray something like degreaser but not a strong one
5 Leave for a couple of minutes and let the degreaser do its work(maybe check battery fluid or check engine oil whatever , open a beer )
clean with water (not a lot of pressure) and use a cleaning brush if you want for hard to clean areas.
6 Let it dry properly
7 Remove plastic bags and clean the covered parts by hand wihtout water
8 Install the battery
9 Run that beautiful piece of engineering called the engine...
10 (optional) grab a beer while the ECU resets (priceless)

 

Or... if you are worried about water getting on electrical parts or your intake, just use a rag and wipe off dirt/grease

 

I power wash.....

There is a Car Wash in my area that is one of the new 'Water Friendly' places and uses LOW PRESSURE....so it works out great.

I just leave the car running while I am doing it, as that is a habit from the V8 days....a little water in places it shouldn't be and she don't start back up

I can remember each time I was stranded at the car wash with water in the Distributor in a number of my SBC's....lol

Thank God for new technology.....but I still leave it running, as I said, it's habbit....

Allan

 

did that to my moms toyota camry when I was a teenager. Had a socket set with me so I took it off, dried it out, and drove away