Is it safe to power wash the engine?

[cdthiker]

for what my 2 cents is worth

I personally have done damage to a car useing a pressure washer. ended up with new plugs wires and cap.... who knows what I really broke, But I know it was never happening before I brought the pressure washer into it
cheers
td

 

[Tomsriv]

I washed my engine lightly with a hose and it started running rough. Turns out water got past the spark plug cap on the valve cover and pooled at the bottom. This caused intermitant shorting and missing. Now I don't wash the engine, or just mist it.

 

[JB.]

As small as the risk seems to be, I don't see it being worth it for just a cosmetic benefit. If I need to work on a dirty area, I'll clean it as needed.

 

[Deguello]

I washed my engine lightly with a hose and it started running rough. Turns out water got past the spark plug cap on the valve cover and pooled at the bottom. This caused intermitant shorting and missing. Now I don't wash the engine, or just mist it.

Exactly what happened when I cleaned my 4Runner (3.4L engine). Very light hose spray followed by simple green, brushing, then another light spray of rinse water. I always start up immediately thereafter. Has always worked 100% on my 2.7 Tacoma engine with never a problem. BUT.........Water slipped by the ignition wire boot (#6 cyl) pooled and shorted the spark plug. I'm gonna be very stingy with the water next time around.

 

[Tomsriv]

My only other piece of advise is I would recommend doing it when the engine is cold. Rapid cooling from spraying water on a hot exhaust header could cause a crack. Its not the best to spray down a hot aluminum head either.

 

[TNRunner99]

I've always used Gunk engine degreaser. The shop I use always compliments on how clean my engine is. I just feel better using a product that is made only for engine cleaning.

 

[Riceye]

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.

I'll echo this warning, but not just for your driveway. Washing oil and degreasers off of your engine will allow the materials to enter groundwater and surface waters via storm drainage.

Please take your t4r to a diy car wash where the wash water will be collected and properly treated. Remember, everything goes somewhere!

 

[dixie_boysles]

Simple Green and a water hose work great. Ive uses SG for years on bare aluminum wheels and all with no issues.

And yeah dont cover battery with foil lol

 

[BlazeRunner]

I'll echo this warning, but not just for your driveway. Washing oil and degreasers off of your engine will allow the materials to enter groundwater and surface waters via storm drainage.

Please take your t4r to a diy car wash where the wash water will be collected and properly treated. Remember, everything goes somewhere!

I would have, but I live in the middle of nowhere and the closest diy carwash is like 30 miles away... plus, I don't think I will have to degrease again seeing as I have no leaks and a clean bay. Also, I sure hope nobody here in AZ drinks the tap water anyway, it's pretty bad water.
To be brutally honest though, I did mine out in like 110°F and the water was evaporating before it hit the gutter, so that's probably why my driveway is effed. If I lived in the city where drain water is collected, I would have cared to go to a carwash... I live on the edge of the abyss.