Engine Cleaning

[Park]

Hey guys I just finished detailing. I washEd and waxed, cleaned out wheel wells and door jams, partially unbolted the drivers so as to get toan old snickers bar wrapper that has been bugging me, ect., ect.,ect. What initially inspired this was that I had just driven her back up to Oklahoma from Colrado after a weeklong vacation (the higher altitude kills you on H.P). So anyways to finally get to my point I figured that since I could now use my car as a mirror that I would clean my air filter ( I have a cold air intake). When I popped the hood I was extremely cresfallen to find the whole engine filthy and dust coated. So can I spray down my engine with a power washer or will that ruin ruin any engine components such as sensors or spark plugs. I just changed my spark plugs before my trip to Colorado and although the rubber surounding them appears to be adequate protection I don't want to screw them up, or any thing else for that matter. So can I power wash my engine?

PS also while in CO I saw a 1998-ish white SR5 or base T4R with my a 3 inch lift rear tire carrier and arb bumper. I was in Lake City CO last week. Any idea on whose this was?

Thanks I know that was retartedly long

 

[Park]

I am somewhat curious about the whole power washing thing so ill bump her up to the top for a bit :banana:

 

[LowRunner]

Depends on who you ask.

Some will do it while running the engine. If it acts up, stop spraying what you're spraying lol.

Others wrap fuse boxes, alternator, coils, etc and spray down.

Personally, I drive it till its hot, pop the hood, soak it in simple green and then close the hood to where it's just propped open on the latch. This creates a steam bath. I wait 15 minutes, open the hood, and just go to town. Let it dry COMPLETELY before starting it up and all should be well.

 

[Park]

Have you done multiple time w/o any negative drawbacks? If so then I think I'll try that I'll have to wrap up my air intake and a cuple other things that could get damadged, cold air intakes don't mix well with water.

Also if anyone wants to know how a 4Runner will do when hauling a car trailer with 4 four wheelers (quad bikes) on the back and a load full of people and mountain climbing gear while also driving almost 1500 miles through TX, CO, OK, and NM. Then even 4Runner owners should be somewhat pleased to know that mine did it without a hitch. That engine is truly amazing all I did was change the oil, spark plugs and cap it off with engine coolant. Although in all fairness I had a lot of trouble getting over 20 mph in those mountain roads in CO and it would seem that the exesive 2800 lbs. has destroyed my brakes the rotors are so horribly warped that I am having to take my g.f car to work. All well time for the Taco brake upgrade I suppose.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I've been driving around on warped rotors for a long time (I know I should have fixed this already) but thats the Tundra brake upgrade.

Power washing while the engine is running probably isn't a bad idea though if your going to do it.

 

[djskorch]

I have never had a problem going to a car wash and using their spray nozzle. I turn the truck off, pop the hood, spray like crazy with the hi pressure soap, then rinse. Never had a problem.

 

[Singtoe]

Depends on who you ask.

Some will do it while running the engine. If it acts up, stop spraying what you're spraying lol.

Others wrap fuse boxes, alternator, coils, etc and spray down.

Personally, I drive it till its hot, pop the hood, soak it in simple green and then close the hood to where it's just propped open on the latch. This creates a steam bath. I wait 15 minutes, open the hood, and just go to town. Let it dry COMPLETELY before starting it up and all should be well.

I advice against the use of simple green as it is a heavy alkaline cleaner would darken the aluminum on the engine and brake system. Especially if you let it cook off the motor.

If you have an excessively greasy or oily motor, use a Gunk cleaner (petroleum based). As for normal dust and road grime, I use the left over car wash soapy water and brush everything down and rinse off.

Spray water on a hot motor is not either. It could warp or crack exhaust manifolds.

 

[LowRunner]

I forgot to mention that I use concentrated simple green at 15% diluted with water. Otherwise it turns your plastic white.

I would not be concerned with spraying a hot engine. While it is possible that we could crack a manifold, block, or warp a head, that would also hold true for going mudding. Or driving in the rain.

 

[argar865]

Just be careful using petroleum based cleaners around any rubber hoses or belts. Petroleum products will disintegrate rubber if it is left on it. And In my experience it is hard to get it all off!

Have Fun!

:cowboy:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Be mindful of the electrical components and be sparingly with full pressure and just use a good cleaner like Gunk's Engine Brite and take a brush to the harder to clean parts then spray down the rubber parts with a good tire protectant to shine everything up. Not one of my better jobs since I was in a hurry but you get the idea.

 

[mreloc]

Scrubbing Bubbles

Try a spray can of Scrubbing Bubbles- learned about it on my BMW detailing web forums- works awesome, doesn't seem to damage anything!