Washing engine - bad idea?

[>MR2turbo4evr<]

Everytime I wash my dads 2005 4Runner, I spray down the engine too to keep it looking nice and shiny. People usually freak out when I tell them. Is it really such a bad idea? I mean its not like I go in there full blast with a pressure washer. I do use a pressure washer, but I keep a good distance and usually just spray away the dust.
What do you guys think?

 

[Northof49]

I do it as well....as long as you're not spraying in the intake or spraying electrical components from close range with extreme pressure, it's not a big deal. Mechanics and detail shops often degrease and hose down engines for cleaning.....

Personally, I have probably done this to over 500 vehicles and the only problems that ever occur are when water gets in the distributor.....this only happens on older cars with worn out gaskets, has only happened 3 or 5 times in my experience, and is easily fixed by drying out the distributor, or prevented by put a plastic bag over it first......of course, this shouldn't be a problem on a newer 4Runner

If one really wanted to be anal about it, he/she could bag the major electrical components and intake before spraying....but I don't bother except on older vehicles, or on engines with Cold Air/short ram intake type systems with exposed cone filters.

People who freak out over this are generally mis-informed. By keeping your engine clean, it will run its coolest and problems/leaks are more easily diagnosed

 

[spyne]

I've been washing under the hood of vehicles for at least 15 years and never had any problems. As long as you do it as Northof49 says and don't get crazy around the electronics you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[azskyrider]

I would wait for the engine to cool down before washing it.

During the winter I would wait until the engine is cold. The reason is that water coming out of the hose is very cold while the engine is very warm. The temperature is very great and you will cool the expanding metal very fast causing it to contract rapidly.

This will help from warping or cracking the block, heads, headers. Personally I think this was more of a problem in the old days of the cast iron engines. New engines these days are built with better iron, steel and aluminum parts.

Still I would wait till the engine and Brake rotors are cool.

Just my two cents.

 

[olliebear]

No problem....

I have for years washed my Mustang, Tahoe, and Volvo with engine degreaser and hose out. Make sure you don't have a hot engien. The cold water and hot engine don't mix very well. Then I towel down the major wet areas. I then fire up the engine and let the engien fan blow most of the excess water out. Then close the hood and drive around the block two or three times. That gets all the water out and dries the whole engine bay. I then stop the engine and apply engine glass spray...kinda like silicone spray that makes all the parts glisten......

The only problem was when I washed my Dad's old T-bird that still had the carburated engine and some water got teh distributor wet.

 

[greasefingers]

Every electrical connector has rubber booties/seals in it for water resistance. So spray away just use common sense.

 

[Cleric]

Just like 'North' said, the distributor is your main concern. As long as you are not going to town, should be OK. I usually just use shop towels and a mild dergent. If I am getting ready to sell a car, a little tire shine goes a long way in the engine compartment.

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

I wash my engine all the time. I usually do it first B4 i wash the hole car. I use a good size soft brush about 3 "X 3" with soap and water them I hose the engine off and then get my gas blower and blow all the water off! The blower work really great!Its get all the water out of the little crack and chit and dry it up too. an electric blower work good too

 

[Boaz]

Just washed my engine bay tonight!! no problems what so ever!