engine cleaning

[Buildwonder]

Instead of tire dressing, try Mother's Back to Black on the plastic under the hood (not the hoses, though). I use it on all of the black trim on my truck and it's not greasy like tire dressing. I've never used it under the hood, but I imagine it wouldn't hurt to try.

[pedalhappy1053]

Theres a car wash here where I live and theres a engine cleaning feature that uses a pressure washer..........what you guys think bout that? Would you try it?

[Skyboi]

Here's the deal with pressure washing the engine...

1. Hot water under pressure creates steam...Although steam is very effective in conjunction with degreasers and cleaners at breaking down dirt and grease...It's vapor and it gets in places it shouldn't. Like electrical connections and distributors and relays and on and on...

2. Atomized water creates corrosion on the copper connections just about everywhere and although it may not create a nightmare right away...Down the road you're doomed.

So you have to ask yourself how far you're willing to take the cleaning process. A good general cleaning every once in a while as part of a good maintenance program, or super clean all the time and risk shut down from a relay you'll never figure out.

My advice is spring and fall and I agree with the Simple Green approach with a garden hose...

[jcombs04]

Will it hurt to get the coil packs wet?

[USN HM 350Z]

Originally Posted by jcombs04

Will it hurt to get the coil packs wet?

no. They are sealed. When it rains, water gets up there also.

[LittleRam]

Originally Posted by Buildwonder

I use water because Pennsylvania is apparently responsible for 1/3 of the world's annual salt usage for the roads in the winter. I like to rinse every nook and cranny with good, clean water to prevent as much corrosion as possible. Salt is nasty sh*t, as I'm sure you all know!

Amen bro.

[skatemafia19120]

haha yeah
.....

[TallTexan]

Been power washing my engines for 40 years. My Titan been power washed 50 times in 75 k and 4 years. Water and condensation occurs on the engine all the time along with rain. Do not apply pressure directly to engine . Keep back about 12 inches and wash everything. I soap first and then rinse. Never had electrical problems or any problems you could relate to washing. I do not blow water directly on my alternator. I sometimes remove the engine cover to clean. My engine looks like a new one and runs like it too. I do think I must have washed my differentials too much because 4 of them have gone bad on me. Darn pressure washers!