Can I pressure wash my engine bay?

[scubajim]

I use diluted simple green and some brushes. I generally use the garden hose. I have used a pressure washer with wide angle at a good working distance. Never had issues as others have said take it for a nice drive.

[willzyx]

I cover the alternator with a plastic bag, spray water with a garden hose, spray a degreaser, agitate with a brush and let sit for a couple of min, spray it down again with a garden hose and dry with a towel. Simplest is sometimes the best. Everything in the engine bay is water sealed, it will be fine.

If you gonna use a pressure washer, use a short nozzle from a distance and don’t blast wires and random hoses from short distances. Washed plenty of engines this way, no issue.

[gorthol]

On my previous car, a Mazda, I only pressure washed the bay once. A few days later, power steering stopped working and the cause was rust in the connector which worked after some cleaning with vinegar and a wire brush. So, no more pressure washing of the bay for me.

[M5Rick]

Don't do it, do it the old fashioned way with rags and wd-40.

[carseatsm5]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Don't do it, do it the old fashioned way with rags and wd-40.

Interesting didn’t know about that.

[Raimo5]

Dont ever wash your car, just use damp cloth. God forbid you have a leaky window seal and water drops get in. It's not worth the risk.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

Interesting didn’t know about that.

No kidding it's too risky to p/wash engine bay, I use a long haired brush first to clean off dust and dirt around the nooks and crannies then finish off wiping with what I mentioned before and in under an hour you have a sparkling engine bay.

[Brophy92]

Personally if it was me, I would use a handheld steam cleaner and a few microfiber cloths.
Also you could always use some detailing brushes with some APC. I wouldn't go near any engine bay with a pressure washer, It's an accident waiting to happen.

[TR930]

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by Brophy92

I wouldn't go near any engine bay with a pressure washer, It's an accident waiting to happen.

Nonsense, so all of us that have been pwr washing our waterproof engine bays for decades with no problems of any kind, what, we are all just lucky?
We are all just living on borrowed time before we ruin our electrical components?
If that were the case then the highways would be littered with stalled cars after every rain storm.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

If that were the case then the highways would be littered with stalled cars after every rain storm.

You do realize those two things are absolutely nothing alike. Pop the hood next time you get home after driving in the rain and you'll see that it's dry.

I won't even say anything about pressure washing in this post but please note that it and rainstorms have absolutely nothing in common. Nothing.

[335i54n]

^ there are a lot of cars that are missing underpanels or were never designed with them to begin with

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

^ there are a lot of cars that are missing underpanels or were never designed with them to begin with

Of course. I've owned many. Those engines weren't wet after a drive in the rain either. Even heavy rain. It's still a silly equivalence to try and make. Pressure washing might be great, but cars being able to drive in rain is not a reason why.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

You do realize those two things are absolutely nothing alike. Pop the hood next time you get home after driving in the rain and you'll see that it's dry.

I won't even say anything about pressure washing in this post but please note that it and rainstorms have absolutely nothing in common. Nothing.

Yes I do realize, but waterproof is waterproof.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Yes I do realize, but waterproof is waterproof.

You acknowledge they are nothing alike and then follow with why they are actually alike. Even my 8 year old can understand why this is silly. This board needs a class in Logical Fallacies 101.

[Dan B]

Do not use brake clean as someone suggested. It is a harsh cleaner. I would not use WD 40 over the entire engine bay as suggested. It is an amazing product but it is flammable. Yes, very little chance of an issue but why introduce even a slight chance.

Watch the professional video from Adam's that BruinMan posted.

Finally, over the last 45 years I have pressure washed engines thousands of times with zero issues. Street cars, off road trucks, and purpose built factory race cars.

Use common sense. Do not put the nozzle right next to any part of your car, engine or otherwise. Use the proper chemical for the application, agitate stubborn areas, and use the pressure washer to rinse, not blast, the chemicals and dirt.

If you used a harsh chemical and have overspray, treat the impacted area accordingly.

[biz77]

For 30 years, I've been using pressure washers on engine bays and the worst thing that has ever come from it is squeaky belts and once I forgot to pull off the zip-loc covering an open cone air filter, which resulted in a crushed filter after starting the car.
My current routine is spray cold engine bay down with APC in an IK pump sprayer, agitate any particular dirty areas and rinse with pressure washer and deionized water. Once done washing and rinsing I grab my electric leaf blower and blow off as much standing water as I can. I then start the engine, close the hood and start in on the main car wash. After letting the car idle long enough to evaporate the rest of the water, I shut the car off and let the engine cool. I then come back later and hit everything with my dressing of choice. This used to be CD2 Engine Detailer when it was available. Now it is anything from Car Pro PERL to Gunk's Engine Shine.

[carseatsm5]

What I love most about this thread is how many people are as crazy as I am about detailing their cars.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

You acknowledge they are nothing alike and then follow with why they are actually alike. Even my 8 year old can understand why this is silly. This board needs a class in Logical Fallacies 101.

You're missing the point entirely and obsessing over an off the cuff remark, that's silly.
And yes, I have seen many wet engine bays after driving in the rain, perhaps you don't have enough experience yet.

[Bruuuce]

one comment one simple green. I would try my best not to use it on unprotected aluminum. It can accelerate the corrosion process. Quick google if you need to.

[21X3M40]

Question regarding the under-shield or under tray. On my 22 X5 a very large portion of the car is covered underneath, would it be prudent to remove the cover(s) before doing an engine detail/wash so the residue does not collect in the under tray(s)?

I know this would mean extra time and work to remove the undertray(s) before doing an engine wash. I am open to suggestions. TIA

[zx10guy]

I didn't bother dropping the undertray for my daily beater or my 1'er.

I'm late to this thread but here's a post I made in the 1'er general sub forum with my experience using P21S cleaner I got off of Amazon. I used a plastic grocery bag to cover the alternator on both cars. I just sprayed the cleaner all over and let it sit. Then using the low pressure setting to my garden hose sprayer, rinsed off the cleaner. The results for literally no physical effort and very little time is amazing. The linked post has before and after pics.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...ostcount=19688