PrinceYota
New member
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
Is it safe to power wash the engine?
- Thread starter PrinceYota
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20034RunnerV84x2
New member
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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dixie_boysles
New member
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.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
TheDurk
Elite Member
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:
We have to join your Honda board to see those pics. And I ain't gonna do that.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
lude and rude
New member
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.
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.
zrgjkfukfhu
New member
another great cleaner/degreaser is oil eater...
scrap metal
official vendor
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 :bounce:
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 :bounce:
slapdappy
Banned
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.
Nervo19
Member
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.
BlazeRunner
Member
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.
Robb235
Senior Member
How about Purple Power, any issues with it?
I took my 4Runner to one of those manual car wash places. I pressure washed the engine with no issues. I didn't spray water directly at the alternator or battery, but they got wet anyways. Haven't seen any adverse consequences yet.
However, I did accidentally spray the insulation on the underside of the hood and ripped it. Damnit.
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
Aluminum foil is a great idea. But anyone reading this thread I wouldnt cover my battery posts with it.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. A mistake you would make only once.
FWIW, I've seen more than a few corroded electrical connectors in engine bays. They can cause simple driveability issues, to not running at all, depending on what circuit the effected connector is a part of.
In most of those cases, the owners stated that they power washed their engine bay periodically. A small number were flood cars.
Electrical connectors should be considered water resistant at best. Hitting them with a high pressure stream from a power washer, can force water past the seal, and then corrosion of the connector starts. Which means it is only a matter of time until electrical problems appear.
If people insist on washing the engine bay, I'd suggest using soap and water and a brush, and only low pressure from a garden hose without a nozzle to rinse the soap and dirt off. Then immediately go for a drive on the highway for at least a half hour, to dry the engine bay.
In most of those cases, the owners stated that they power washed their engine bay periodically. A small number were flood cars.
Electrical connectors should be considered water resistant at best. Hitting them with a high pressure stream from a power washer, can force water past the seal, and then corrosion of the connector starts. Which means it is only a matter of time until electrical problems appear.
If people insist on washing the engine bay, I'd suggest using soap and water and a brush, and only low pressure from a garden hose without a nozzle to rinse the soap and dirt off. Then immediately go for a drive on the highway for at least a half hour, to dry the engine bay.
