Cleaning Engine Compartment

[JKellis]

I changed my fuel filter today and the canister didn't seat on the first try. I managed to spray fuel all over the driver's side under the hood. I would like to pressure wash and do some detailing. Any problems with getting the engine compartment wet?

 

[DavidC]

I personally would not pressure wash. There is another member on here that did pressure wash and had multiple problems afterwards. He did find water in his ECM plug but still had problems after drying it out. Haven't heard if he is in the market for an ECM or not. If anything I would disconnect both batteries and a light hose spray. Use a leaf blower or compressed air and blow it dry, then let it sit a considerable amount of time in a very warm climate before reconnecting. The way I prefer is all by hand cleaning, rags,brushes etc. then maybe a rinse with a garden sprayer and still blow it out and let dry before reconnecting batteries. Better safe than sorry, electronics do not come cheaply much less the loss of use waiting for parts to return from a shop.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I blasted the HELL outa mine with a PW and HOT water. stayed away from connectors. Only issue is the horn sounds like it came from a toy car.

 

[GrantP]

I know it's a different animal but I pressure washed the engine in my wife's Jeep years ago, mostly because I already had the pressure washer out for something else and thought "why not". A few hundred dollars later I got the answer to the "why not" question.

 

[Timd32]

I have no water source for my garage, so I use a 2 gallon pump sprayer for water.

Usually use some of that Super Clean purple gallon and dilute in a spray bottle.

 

[JKellis]

I have no water source for my garage, so I use a 2 gallon pump sprayer for water.

Usually use some of that Super Clean purple gallon and dilute in a spray bottle.

View attachment 114781
View attachment 114782

I hit mine with purple power and carefully pressure washed, avoiding as many connectors as possible. I managed to smoke the under hood light bulb but everything else is fine. At least the diesel washed off.

 

[Wiredawg]

I've washed EVERY engine I've ever owned EVERY time I wash the trucks... about every 2 to 3 weeks and NEVER have a problem with just the water hose with a sprayer.

I spray it down with Simple Green. They also make aerosol cans of foam engine cleaner (Gunk) works well. Get the engine warm, spray with cleaner, let set a while, and rinse. The key if using a pressure washer is keep it a couple feet away from target, dont focus too long on power distribution panel, and wiring/ connectors.

I hate working on a dirty engine and mine are always very clean.

Hope that helps some.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JKellis]

I've washed EVERY engine I've ever owned EVERY time I wash the trucks... about every 2 to 3 weeks and NEVER have a problem with just the water hose with a sprayer.

I spray it down with Simple Green. They also make aerosol cans of foam engine cleaner (Gunk) works well. Get the engine warm, spray with cleaner, let set a while, and rinse. The key if using a pressure washer is keep it a couple feet away from target, dont focus too long on power distribution panel, and wiring/ connectors.

I hate working on a dirty engine and mine are always very clean.

Hope that helps some.

Cheers, Ron

Second on hating a dirty engine compartment.

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I use SuperClean diluted 50/50 with water. Put it in a pump up sprayer and spray the engine compartment and let it sit @ 2 minutes the rinse with lots of water. So far no issues doing this.

 

[KATOOM]

If all you're trying to clean off is diesel fuel then all you need is some warm/hot water. A bucket of hot tap water or from a garden hose sitting in the sun will wash it right off. No need for harsh chemicals or pressure washers.

 

[Timd32]

If all you're trying to clean off is diesel fuel then all you need is some warm/hot water. A bucket of hot tap water or from a garden hose sitting in the sun will wash it right off. No need for harsh chemicals or pressure washers.

I wish it was just diesel, mine was nasty and was most likely decades of stuff.

Now that I have it clean, agree, no need for the heavy stuff anymore at all.