07-23-2013, 05:06 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Jul 2013
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Is it safe to power wash the engine?
I go hunting and fishing alot and it gets pretty nasty under the hood. I'm curious if its safe to power wash the engine and what do I need to cover
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07-23-2013, 05:19 AM
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#2
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Yes. Dust it off. Spray some Purple Power all over the entire engine bay a few minutes before you spray it off. Let it sit for 3-5 min. Cleans the hell out of it!
Leave it running the entire time. That way if it does die (highly unlikely) you know where the problem is.
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07-23-2013, 07:32 AM
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#3
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Real Name: Allen
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I've done it to all my vehicles over the years. 98 4Runner, 03 Highlander and 03 4Runner among other vehicles and haven't had any problems. You may get a squealing belt but it isn't anything to worry about.
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07-23-2013, 08:03 AM
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#4
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Just be careful around distribution box alternator and coil packs. I usually take aluminum foil and cover those three things up so they dont get force fed water.
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07-23-2013, 09:31 AM
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#5
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Ancient pictures, but this was done in about twenty minutes with "Simple Green" and a garden hose with a spray nozzle. I cover the alternator and the distributor/ignition box in aluminum foil:
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1985 FJ60: OME, 33's, Lockright, Rust
1997 4Runner SR5: Rolled  , 1999 4runner SR5: V6, 5-speed, e-locker, 285's, SS 1.2
1988 FJ62: TBI 350, 700r4, FF rear, ARB locked F/R, almost no rust!
1996 Lexus LX450: Factory locked front & rear, OME lift, and a salvage title
Last edited by white_n_slow; 07-23-2013 at 03:47 PM.
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07-23-2013, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by white_n_slow
Ancient pictures, but this was done in about twenty minutes with "Simple Green" and a garden hose with a spray nozzle. I cover the alternator and the distributor/ignition box in aluminum foil:
Before:
AFTER:
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We have to join your Honda board to see those pics. And I ain't gonna do that.
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07-23-2013, 03:47 PM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDurk
We have to join your Honda board to see those pics. And I ain't gonna do that.
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Edited my post, should be able to see them now 
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1984 Toy Longbed 4x4: lifted, locked, incapable of highway speed
1985 FJ60: OME, 33's, Lockright, Rust
1997 4Runner SR5: Rolled , 1999 4runner SR5: V6, 5-speed, e-locker, 285's, SS 1.2
1988 FJ62: TBI 350, 700r4, FF rear, ARB locked F/R, almost no rust!
1996 Lexus LX450: Factory locked front & rear, OME lift, and a salvage title
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07-23-2013, 07:44 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
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another great cleaner/degreaser is oil eater... stuff works miracles. plus its cheap as dirt. buy it in the gallon jug and just reuse a spray bottle.
i tend to let the engine heat up a lil then shut it off, spray down with degreaser, let sit for 5 mins-10 mins, wash off (while keeping water away from electrical stuff, i.e. battery, alternator, fuse block, coils, distributor), then let it dry. i dont like to use pressure washers on engines thou because you could damage stuff easily if not paying attention or could force water back into areas not intended for water. i tend to just use a garden hose.
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07-23-2013, 11:28 PM
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#9
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another great cleaner/degreaser is oil eater... 
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07-24-2013, 03:30 AM
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#10
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official vendor
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official vendor
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You guys ever try Oven Cleaner from the 99 cents store?
That stuff is strong! I usually use purple power or simple green or some other expensive cleaner, but my buddy recently tried it and we were both pretty damn amazed 
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07-24-2013, 04:58 AM
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#11
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Banned
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I have not power washed it. I have sprayed it down with Krud Kutter or Simple Green then hit it with the hose sprayer. The engine and electric components are pretty well sealed. If you get too close with the nozzle you'll be able to force water into places it shouldn't be, but that would require a certain degree of willful disregard towards common sense. Some of these engines look nice. I think I will try the power washer at the car wash next time.
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07-24-2013, 06:58 PM
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#12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrap metal
You guys ever try Oven Cleaner from the 99 cents store?
That stuff is strong! I usually use purple power or simple green or some other expensive cleaner, but my buddy recently tried it and we were both pretty damn amazed |
Oven cleaner is a favorite internet solution for paint removal! I used it to take the bottom paint on my boat. It will corrode rubber as in hoses. No way I would use it on an engine compartment I cared about. I've used Simple Green and a foaming engine cleaner on mine. I don't use a power washer, I use a hose or the engine cleaner wand at the car wash.
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07-24-2013, 08:36 PM
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#13
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Just be careful where you degrease your engine, I just did mine on the driveway the other day and it left a nasty residual stain on the concrete... looks like I made another chore for myself. Engine and undercarriage are spotless now, I used Gunk brand engine cleaner in the heavy duty gel spray.
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07-24-2013, 09:28 PM
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#14
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cover or do not spray any electronics.
2 and very important.
DO NOT USE SIMPLY GREEN ON YOUR ENGINE.
simply green will eat aluminum. yes, EAT. any little tiny bit that does not get washed off is muy malo.
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07-24-2013, 09:46 PM
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#15
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What everybody else says.
I do mine once a year for the last 15 years.
No issues and makes it easy to spot leaks.
And you don't get as dirty when servicing.
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