Eng Wash Question(s)

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For all of us "newwbies" that want to use the local car/truck douse. Anything wee shud cover when wee wet the eng down? Didnt c anything that could be harmed, cept Id keep away from the 'puters.

Any thing else to watch 4? Mine is getting pretty bad from road grime @ 7+k.

\\BF//

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"Drifty" y2k SLT (L. E. ) = Superior; Like Truck! (Limited Edition) 2500QC/SWB/5sp/3. 54LSD/Ultimate bed spray/camper @ tow pkgs/fogs as DRL's/truck trunk/3rd Brake flasher/hr mtr/VentShades & Sunshade/alternator isolator (150a diode)/Mag-Hytec & Amsoil/Ball valve oil drain/storage/tinting/CB/fuzzbustr/brake ctrl/25. 5k hitch/etc.

Not Stroking, BUT, RAMming it Home! \\BF//

 

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Ben;
I wash my engine almost everytime I wash my truck. About every other time I pull the pressure washer out of the shop and let her have it. As far as covering anything up, well I sure don't. I soap it up and blast everything. I'm not saying this is correct but that is what I do. My '98 has 48,000 miles on it and it's really clean under the hood.
Arlan

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1998. 5 QC 3500 4X4 3. 54 Auto ISB with all options and leather. TST PowerMax1. BD/TC and Valve Body, TC lockup switch with LED indicator, RV Injectors, 9000 LB Warn Winch, Ultra Board Running Boards, Westach Combo Boost/EGT and Transmission Temperature gauges, Pac brake, 2-lo kit, GPS, brite-box, Rancho 9000's etc. etc.
1946 Mercury Coupe Street Rod
1955 Willys Station Wagon
1995 Lexus SC400

 

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i just took mine to the car wash tonight open the hood and let her have it i don't think you can hurt anything as long as you don't get to crazy with the pressure hose happy washin

 

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I was just remembering. Don't use the pressure washer spray sideways on the radiator fins. They will lay down on ya.
arlan

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1998. 5 QC 3500 4X4 3. 54 Auto ISB with all options and leather. TST PowerMax1. BD/TC and Valve Body, TC lockup switch with LED indicator, RV Injectors, 9000 LB Warn Winch, Ultra Board Running Boards, Westach Combo Boost/EGT and Transmission Temperature gauges, Pac brake, 2-lo kit, GPS, brite-box, Rancho 9000's etc. etc.
1946 Mercury Coupe Street Rod
1955 Willys Station Wagon
1995 Lexus SC400

 

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Go to town! I was trucks for a living and routinely wash engines. I have never had a customer complain! Before I picked up the Ram I had that other make of truck that we can't mention on this site... I did have a problem with it. The morning after I washed the engine compartment(460 gas) she wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear. Dealer replaced the TPS and problem solved. At 12K the Ram has had the engine washed over 50 times and has yet to give me any negative feedback!

It's better wetter!

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'99 2500QC 4x4, LWB, 3. 54, auto, White w/lower driftwood, all options except leather, stainless bedrail caps,door sill guards, illuminated ram logo on hood, tandem axle mobile wash unit(3200psi, 7gpm, 0-250deg. ) Dad owns a PowerChoke

 

[Archive]

Just a couple words of caution--

Whenever you go blastin' under the hood, do it with a cool engine. Cold water on a hot turbo or exhaust manifold is inviting warpage and gasket sealing problems.

Also, be cautious about hitting around the valve cover gasket with direct blasts (or any gasket area) of high-pressure water. If there isn't a perfect seal, water can make its way into the engine.

My '90 Bronco 2 (which my truck replaced thank goodness!!) had a leaky valve cover gasket. I blasted it good at the car wash and unknowingly go a considerable amount of water in the engine. Soon after that, began to have noisy lifters. Ended up having to rebuild the engine because enough water was sucked up by the oil pump that it thrashed the main, rod, and cam bearings.

One last note for the KISS folk with stock airboxes: engine degreaser can attack the plastic on the Filter Minder. Cover it up.

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T Quad Cab 4x4, 24-valve, 5-speed w/open 3. 54, White over Driftwood, Fog Lamps, Air Dam, Agate leather with most options.
245/75/16 Kelley Safari MSRs on M/T Classics, DeeZee running boards, diamond tread bedrail & tailgate protector.
Delvac 1 5W40 Synthetic Oil.
52,740 miles (12/10/99) 16-17 City & 18-20 Highway MPG

 

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Vaugn,
Good advise!
I once bought and old (and still have) a '76 Lincoln MKIV... ... . the engine looked like new, all shiney with the hoses still looking like new rubber. I figured the guy who had had it must be a cleaning nut... .....
I won't spend this kind of time on my engine and a friend told me there is a secret to this kind of beauty... ... ...
He tells me to spray the whole damn engine, hoses and EVERYTHING with Armorall and after letting it set for a while, wash it off with soap using a compressor or whatever... ... .
It works! The old Lincoln still looks great but I feel this has got to be wrong!
Anyone else use this method?
Ron

 

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I would say use a high quality cleaning agent and avoid really high pressure like the car wash kind, the garden hose should be just fine. Now where can I find simple green?? any of the big outlets sell the stuff.

 

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Thanks all. I always do the eng compartment but, wanted some "words of wisdom" and yes I got enuff to feel safe. I'll bet their are others out there that learned a few things, if not the one about the Filter Minder plastic not liking degreaser.

Take care have good weekend (whats left).

\\BF//

[This message has been edited by Ben Stair (edited 12-12-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Andy , I've found the best price for simple green at "Wally World" . I buy the gallon bottle, and use it on everything.

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99QC,white,5sp,3. 55lsd, isspro EGT & boost, stock, 24,500 miles 11-25-99- -EX phord owner
15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT

 

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One more caution for you folks - Do Not Spray High Pressure Water directly into the alternator and try not to drowned it also.

PS - Best price I have found on Simple Green was at Price/Costco.

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99 2500, QC, SLT, 4x4 ISB, 5sp, 3. 55lsd, Infiniti am/fm/cd, HDTcase, Tow mirrors, Tow Pack, Camper pack, NW Running Boards and Mud flaps, Front Mount Receiver, Tekonsha Brake Control and Husky Liners.


[This message has been edited by BV (edited 12-13-1999). ]