Strange Happenings after washing the engine..

[Yo Hoot]

It has happened the last two times I washed the engine with a low pressure hose.



After washing... . I let it sit for a while and go about my business.



Than when I start it I here a strange squeeling and binding sound around the front of the engine. Then it abruptly stops and everything is honky doory. I'll have to see if I can repeat it but it seems like its something with the fan belt, pulleys or the electric fan clutch.



Anyone else notice this?



I have 20,000 miles on mine.

 

[DArndal]

My engine has always done the same thing after a good washing. I think it is just water on the belt making it squeel for the first 5 seconds when the engine is running. I wouldn't worry about it to much.

 

[whamby]

People actually wash their engines. Just kidding. I am going to clean mine soon I will have to remember to listen for the noise. Mine has 100K of dirt and grime on it.

 

[agkrueger]

I have 10k on mine, and have washed the engine compartment eveytime I wash the truck since new. No problems here.

 

[rbattelle]

I have 10k on mine, and have washed the engine compartment eveytime I wash the truck since new. No problems here.

Could you discuss briefly your method for washing the engine?



-Ryan

 

[Eric_77]

Yep it is the belt slipping mine also makes a chirp when it is shut off as the accesories are still spinning and motor stops suddenly. This is true on all three trucks

 

[WMcGuire]

What you are hearing is the belt slipping, this is common with flat belts, the water actually causes the belt to hydro-plane for a few seconds then it suddenly grabs, if you have the air condition on, that and the alternator under load can damage the belt, to be safe let it dry out before starting, but if you must start it, let it idle for a minute before putting a load on the belts.

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I washed mine for the first time ever tonight. Used Simple Green... man, now I know why everyone uses it. I didn't bother starting it, so we'll see how she starts up in the morning.



I didn't mask any electrical connections, and to be honest I wasn't very careful with where I sprayed with the hose. Kept the pressure pretty low.



-Ryan

 

[DocDetonancour]

How about the alternator and battreys? Thanks, Doc

 

[rbattelle]

Stayed away from the batteries and the alternator. When I was finished, I used a Shop Vac to suck up puddles of water around the airbox and where the air hose attaches to the intake horn.



I let the engine cool down for 3. 5 hours before washing it. That Simple Green is powerful stuff.



The way I figure it, in a good strong rainstorm at highway speeds, most of the stuff under the hood is going to get moist. If you let things dry out completely before starting it up, there should be no problems. If I have service done at the local Cummins shop they steam clean the engine for free. I doubt they were even remotely careful about spraying things down, because after they had it the entire engine compartment was spotless.



-Ryan

 

[agkrueger]

Ryan mentioned the most important thing, never wash a hot motor. I have heard horror stories of cracked manifolds, heads etc. I have never heard of a problem with a cummins but wouldn't risk it.



I just spray a water/dawn dish washing soap solution on the entire engine compartment using a spray bottle. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and rinse with hot water.



I only use a garden hose with city washer pressure and stay clear of wiring harness connections. This only takes a couple extra minutes when I wash the outside of the truck and never allows a buildup of anything unwanted.



A little dust is no problem but the use of salt here is extreme due to the endless supply. I dont want it anywhere on my ride any longer than it has to be. It loves electrical connections.

 

[mfrost]

My engine also gets washed every time I do the outside. A little simple green where needed, let set a couple minutes, rinse off, then blow dry with my electric leaf blower. Starts and runs great every time. There's nothing much better that a clean engine compartment. Have been doing this for years with all my vehicles and no problems.

 

[rbattelle]

I had no problems at all on startup the next morning. No weird noises, no electrical problems.



-Ryan

 

[Yo Hoot]

I only use a garden hose... never with the engine hot.



If it is belt slipping unless one of the accessories is really difficult to turn, than as the belt slips, it suddenly grabs.



It's not the normal screech when I shut it off dry.

 

[OTRPU]

My DOC would just love it if I washed my engine. . . they've cleaned it up a couple times while rebuilding. As for me. . . whenever I shut down for more than an hour I can never find a water supply and hose. Maybe I'll get some Simple Green and a bucket. Spray the engine after cooling 4 or 5 hours, then tote buckets of water over an dump them on the engine. Maybe I need to carry my own garden hose, and use the crap dumps at the Flyin J's. Wonder if they'ed care if I did this. Don't know bout leaving whatever oil is on there just anywhere. Long ago an employee dumped a little bitty container of pump oil down the storm drain. Months later some guy showed up at my office asking if we were putting oil down the storm drain. I hadn't instructed this practice so claimed not to have. But further investigation found my equip manager was the culprit. They told me was easy to follow the slick upstream and find the source. Are there places that steam clean engines anymore? How do they handle the waste products? I'm not one wants to pee in his own mess kit, nor do I care to pee in yours.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[nickleinonen]

Long ago an employee dumped a little bitty container of pump oil down the storm drain.

that's just stupid... i've seen some people change their oil by parking it over a storm drain and opening the plug i was so tempted to go and beat some sense into them with the 4D maglight... about the most stupid thing one could do, next to dumping engine antifreeze [green or pink or red or blue... ] down the storm drain or toilet... anyone who does either by purpose deserves 10-15 years in prison being someones restricted orifice...

 

[rbattelle]

Are there places that steam clean engines anymore?

Cummins service centers will.



-Ryan

 

[bighammer]

I just keep my hood(s) closed. Who cares what the engine looks like.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I only rinse mine off a couple times a year. Always did with all my vehicles. No oil to speak of. It keeps it relatively clean without actually going in and scrubbing.



Once in a while I'll run a rag over the easy to get to parts. Even been known to rub some Armorall on the black parts.



Keeping it clean is great for if and when you work on it. . and later on if you sell it outright.



Hammer knows the process well. I think he owns stock in Armorall.

 

[2broke2smoke]

I just keep my hood(s) closed. Who cares what the engine looks like.

:-laf



amen brother