Cleaning my engine bay

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa) 05/31/2014 at 10:26 • Filed to: None

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The engine bay in my Buick is absolutely filthy, and I'd like to make it pretty for my own vanity, and for tech inspection tomorrow. How bad of an idea is it to just take a power washer to my under-hood region as long as I avoid spraying the massive wiring harness on the right side? There isn't any worries of hitting my battery, which is in the back (for better weight distribution, probably), and everything else electrical is sealed up rather well.

My engine had a few bad seals last year and it's kinda doused itself in 14 different kinds of automotive bodily fluids and they've all gotten completely stuck on every surface. Going to a car show yesterday and seeing all of the pristine engine bays made me feel inadequate.

So... power washing engine bay. Yes or no?

crowmolly > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:29

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Simple green and some rags.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > crowmolly 05/31/2014 at 10:31

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Problem with that is that I can't reach 80% of my engine bay with my hands, so a no-contact solution is pretty much my only option.

Pixel > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:36

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I've done it without apparent harm, but the general wisdom is that it is asking for problems.

Gunk & a hose maybe?

macanamera > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:37

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What year is the car? On a newer car, I would say yeah,sure.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > macanamera 05/31/2014 at 10:42

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It's 14 years old... year 2000

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:47

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I have always heard that if the motor was running it was okay * as long as you use common sense. * Dont aim at seal areas, wire boots, intake... That kind of stuff.

crowmolly > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:47

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I really think you are asking for trouble if the car is 14 years old and has leaky gaskets and seals. JMO.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Pixel 05/31/2014 at 10:47

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I dunno how well it would cut through 14 years of caked-on mess... all of the searching I've done says to leave my engine on if I power wash it. Not sure the logic behind that... can anyone confirm/deny that?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 05/31/2014 at 10:49

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Yup, the right side of the bay is pretty much off-limits due to the intake/PCM/wiring harness all being over there, but I'm more worried about the block itself.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > crowmolly 05/31/2014 at 10:51

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All the seals and gaskets were replaced when we had $1800 worth of repairs done including four disks, head gasket, everything that leaked was replaced (mostly just the main transmission seal), and all new fluids. It's tight as a drum now (though really down on power for some reason)

Jayhawk Jake > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 10:57

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Power washing might not be smart. Spray it with simple green, let it work for a bit, agitate it with a rag, then spray it down with a hose. Avoid electrical bits or cover them with a plastic bag.

macanamera > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 11:39

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Eh. I would avoid it if possible.

Pixel > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2014 at 19:49

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I'm not sure, I've always done it with the engine off and a plastic bag zip-tied over the carb opening, but fuel injected might be different. I'm guessing the logic is to keep from allowing water to puddle somewhere in/on the cold engine and cause an issue or hydro lock the engine once it is started.

Buick Mackane > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/03/2014 at 20:00

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If you go to a self service car wash to clean your engine be prepared for a no-start situation, you could be stuck there for 8 hours. And you will get to meet all kinds of nice people there in the middle of the night while you babysit your car. If you do risk it, cover the alternator and computer boxes with tin foil first to prevent water entry. I only use simple green and an old toothbrush to clean my engines.