I've been into detailing for quite some time now, so this is not so much a "how to wash my car thread", but more of a tips and tricks for keeping water out of the hole in the Evos hood during a wash. I've taped trash bag around the vent before and it didn't work 100%, I've just put down a few towels on the valve cover assuming it's cold and that didn't work well either. I usually just QD the car, but every now and then it gets dirty enough to warrant a good old fashioned car wash

Anyone have a good idea for keeping water out of the engine bay during a wash?

 

Why does it matter if water goes in? It does every time it rains anyway

 

Car has never been driven in the rain. My engine bay is probably cleaner than the outside of my car. Please stay on topic

 

OCD people don't drive in the rain.

 

I'm pretty touchy about keeping my bay clean and I have always just done like you said and put a large bath towel over the engine and closed the hood. I've never really had a problem with that method, but I also avoid spraying water directly into the vent. Just don't forget the towel is there and drive off...

Yeah I don't really drive my evo in bad weather if I can help it.

 

Car not driven in rain. Oh brother!!

GL with that

Hell the EVO is the car I DO drive in bad weather

 

Tape the plastic to the outside of the hood on the paint over the vent with blue painters tape wash the car and then touch up where the tape was. Depending how dirty the hood is you may want to touch it up first so you get a water tight seal. There is one hole on the top but the reason you’re failing from below is once the water gets in on the top there are too many places the water can go. You have the mesh, the hood has crevices and bracing, the vent, and the insulation…. I don’t understand why you don’t want to enjoy driving an AWD car in the rain but it’s your car to do what you want.
Hope that helps

 

You do need to worry about keeping water out of the engine bay when washing it.

Just make sure you dry the bay well afterwards.

Here is some instructions,but I am sure you already do this.


1) Best to do it on a sunny day.
* Reason for this is the heat of the day will evaporate left over water from engine bay.
2) Get a grocery plastic bag and wrap it around the intake filter.
3) Spray the front of the car with water, including windshield and hood/fenders with a house.
* Reason for this is so the cleaning spray mist does not spot stain those parts with residue.
4) Use Gunk, Foaming type spray cleaner. 1 can should be enough.
* Dirty engines may need 2 cans.
5) Spray the engine bay with the foaming gunk all over the dirty engine.
6) Let it work for about 2 minutes.
7) With the water house in medium spray, rinse off the Gunk foam real good.
8) Get a micro fiber an bucket of car soap and clean the underhood with the soap. Also clean the valve cover and the rest of the reachable parts with the soapy micro fiber cloth.
9) Rinse off engine and hood with water again.
10) Use an air tool to blow off water from engine bay parts and connectors.
* I use my electric weed blower for this.
11) Finish drying the car engine with a dry towel. Micro fiber better as it does not leave fibers behind.
12) Take off the plastic bag from the intake.
13) Take off the spark plug cover and with the cloth towel dry off the inside of it.
* There is going to be some water there but it does not get into your spark plugs as the boot is rubber and it is tight.
14) Wash and rinse the car.
15) Do not start the car for an hour or two.
*The heat of the day will evaporate any left over water.

Enjoy your clean engine bay without the worry of water damage. I have been doing this for ever.

The good thing is once you gunk the engine with Gunk Foaming Engine Brite once, you wont have to do it again for a long while.

Every time you wash your car, open the hood and dry clean the engine bay.

That will keep your bay looking new.

 

I edited out the useless nonsense (dont start car for hour or two WTF), to the above statement: Ummmm no sir you absolutely do not. You have a giant ****ing hole in your hood.

Where do you people come up with this BS is beyond me

Sad really

 

I think I made a mistake thinking you were asking about cleaning the engine bay. Sorry.

But at least now people have an idea how to clean their engines, lol.


Every time I wash my car, I just open the hood and dry clean the engine and rinse the water off of it.

It keeps the bay clean and free of water spots and dust.

Even if you put a towel under the vents, water still gets in there after a wash.

So dry the car and the engine afterwards.


That works for me.

 

I love to keep my sparkly clean car too but it's on when there is snow on the ground!

 

(Looks Out Window) Sees a Sparkly Clean Evo as well

I'm all about keeping my car washed, waxed and looking good man. But sometimes I read things in here that just make me question life on this planet

 

Buba, you have issues.

After spraying water with a pressure house on your engine, water gets into contact with the electrical connectors.

If one of those connectors negative and positive are both in contact with a water droplet, it can short circuit the part.

You can call it BS, but I am giving people and you good advise.

You can start your car when ever you want .

But my method is the save way to do it.


I drive in the rain and my engine is probably cleaner than your car is on the outside .

Just let me know if you doubt me and I will post a picture of my previous and present engine and put you to shame .

 

Not shaming me BUBBA. You realize that there is giant ****ing hole in your hood right? When it rains water gets in there just like it would with a hose.

I've washed my engine 100's of times, car has never seen a garage in its life and I have no issues with any wiring to speak of Bubba. Other than mitsu's design flaw with water getting to the junction box in the drivers kick panel which I fixed myself prob 5 years ago now

I have been in the electronics field over 15 years I've forgotten more than you probably know.

I guess like the saying goes lead a horse to water but you can't make him think

Enjoy your engine bay have some steak and potatoes on it for me

 

Hahaa

I am probably twice your age and have twice the life experiences you have had.

I can tell by your attitude, which has much to be desired.


I gived you friendly advice and in the few posts you made here, all you have done is talk down to me.

Think about it.


You have a good day Mr. know it all .