okay to pressure wash or hose off engine?

[4Runner8]

is it okay to pressure wash or hose off engine? my engine is dirty and have tried cleaning it by hand but could i not just pressure wash or spray it off with a hose? thanks... sorry if its a stupid question :-/

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

You can pressure wash it but stay away from the master cylinder on the firewall. other than that make sure the engine is cold.

 

[4Runner8]

okay sounds good! thanks

 

[kylebacc]

You can pressure wash it but stay away from the master cylinder on the firewall. other than that make sure the engine is cold.

Why make sure the engine is cold?

 

[kcnewf]

Search is your friend. This topic has been discussed many times on this and other 4runner boards. . .

:boxer::bash:I must disagree with all posts above.:bash::boxer:

Pressure washing an modern vehicle's engine bay is not a good idea.

The electrical connections in the engine bay are "water resistent" NOT "water proof" to the 150+ psi of water presure generated by a power washer.

If you want electrical gremlins and problems for years to come . . . go ahead and powerwash the engine bay, have a few cold ones :beer: and start waits for problems to creep up either immediately or months from now.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

What i do is bag off the fuse box, and anything else that looks suspect as far as getting wet. Then i gently rinse with a hose to get the dirt wet and loosen up the big stuff. Then just use some simple green and youre good!

 

[M1911]

Pressure washing an modern vehicle's engine bay is not a good idea.

The electrical connections in the engine bay are "water resistent" NOT "water proof" to the 150+ psi of water presure generated by a power washer.

:iagree:

Pressure washing is asking for trouble.

 

[4Runner8]

okay so hosing would be better? and do what lexus does by bagging off fuse box

 

[Autbond]

I have been pressurewashing by engine bay fr some time now. Knock on wood I haven't had any problems. I do hold the wand at least 4 feet or so from anything actually in it though.

 

[jsmarine]

I pressure wash mine too, at the do-it-yourself car wash. Those don't have as much pressure as the gas powered ones you might use on your driveway. Not sure I would want to use that much pressure in my engine bay.

 

[MikesToy]

I had my '03 for 7 yrs and I pressure wash mine @ the DIY car washes twice a year or when necessary. Then i towel dry everything that i could reach back there. To it's own.

 

[G.I.G.]

The electrical connections in the engine bay are "water resistent" NOT "water proof" to the 150+ psi of water presure generated by a power washer.

If you want electrical gremlins and problems for years to come . . . go ahead and powerwash the engine bay, have a few cold ones :beer: and start waits for problems to creep up either immediately or months from now.

I respectfully disagree.

I've been driving for almost 20 years, owned 6 cars, and I have power washed all of the engines and never had a problem because of it.

Not only does a clean engine look good, but it helps it perform better as well. A lot of dirt and dust can collect on your engine and other moving components in the engine bay, even if you don't off-road. Not to mention salt and even worse, magnesium chloride, can get in your engine bay if you live in the northern states. When salt and mag chloride get kicked up into your engine bay, they can wreak havoc with corrosion. Keeping your engine free of salt and mag chloride will help prevent long-term corrosion issues. Keeping the engine clean also helps it stay cool in the summer months. You don't have to wash the engine often (especially if you don't go 4-wheel'n), maybe every year or two, but it's still a good idea.

I do agree that you have to be careful with a power washer. I keep a good distance (at least a foot, sometimes more) between the nozzle of the power washer and whatever I am aiming at. I don't focus the stream on anything small or fragile (small vacum hoses, electrical connections) but it is fine if they get wet. I also try to avoid the alternator but again, even if it gets wet you should be fine. I have never been stranded at the car wash because my engine didn't start after washing it.

When I clean my engine, I buy a can of Gunk Engine De-greaser, use the whole can on my engine and engine bay, then I power wash with the soap, then rinse. That is how my high school auto shop teacher recommended doing it, and I've been doing it that way ever since with great results.

 

[paraordnance]

I been pressure washing (at car wash) my engine bay regulary on all my vehicles for the last 10 years. Not one problem yet caused by this. Its safe just use caution

 

[ecrew16]

I've pressure washed all my vehicles at home or at the DIY washes, never had an issue. Just take a towel and wipe when you're done and try to stay away from the rubber gromet firewall, especially if you have acc power running from your bay into the cabin. Water could get in! Other than that, piece of cake

 

[4Runner8]

well i will prob go by the local do it yourself and use there hoses and do it... i need to get it sparkling to sell

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Why make sure the engine is cold?

so stuff doesn't crack plus you'll get steam everywhere and might burn yourself.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/detailing/61909-engine-bay-cleaning.html

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

okay so hosing would be better? and do what lexus does by bagging off fuse box

Just means find some plastic grocery bags and cover it so it doesnt get wet.

 

[inscarguy]

i have been pressure washing for years with no problems.

the connectors are "water proof" they are weather pac connectors. i have yet to see the connectors get water in them.

i look at "flood cars" almost every day. not 1 connector is corroded, and i am on the coast.

 

[4Runner8]

so if i do pressure wash just make sure to keep it back at least 5 feet and make sure the engine is cold.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

so if i do pressure wash just make sure to keep it back at least 5 feet and make sure the engine is cold.

Just use a low pressure setting and you'll be set. keep a good distance if the setting is high but you got it.