engine washing

tina2709 · Oct 6, 2013

Hi guys n girls was just wondering is it safe to have my engine cleaned with a pressure washer?? I had a severe oil leak that's been fixed but due to oil in my engine after a long journey my car stinks of burnt oil. We have some young in our area (eastern Europeans I think) that offer car washing they said they would do my engine bay for a tenner, so do I have it done or not???

nathan5346 · Oct 6, 2013

Lets see what the crystal ball says about the engine you have

tina2709 · Oct 6, 2013

nathan5346 said:
Lets see what the crystal ball says about the engine you have

Crystal ball says 1.8 petrol (2001 yr)

Brack · Oct 6, 2013

No - try a can of aerosol degreaser on the affected area - but keep away from electrical components

tina2709 · Oct 6, 2013

Brack said:
No - try a can of aerosol degreaser on the affected area - but keep away from elecical components

Cheers I have got some degreaser but I'm a lazy moo and didn't want to get my hands dirty

hd3 · Oct 6, 2013

is it safe to have my engine cleaned with a pressure washer??

not advisable with a pressure washer ..
unless the pressure can be controlled and you know where to point it
and where not to ..
i.e. the pressure could damage some components ..
and/or water get into places you don't want it to

tina2709 · Oct 6, 2013

hd3 said:
not advisable with a pressure washer ..
unless the pressure can be controlled and you know where to point it
and where not to ..
i.e. the pressure could damage some components ..
and/or water get into places you don't want it to

That was my thinking tbh so I decided against it

cremator · Oct 6, 2013

buy a steam cleanner and use that

Optimus Prime · Oct 7, 2013

don't do it, certainly don't let anyone else do it, how careful are they going to be for a tenner ?

buy something like Jizer and a stiff paintbrush. Brush it on / scrub it, then rinse gently with low pressure hose.

Morten 1 · Oct 7, 2013

I did this a few months ago, like you, a massive oil leak, and the car was due for it's MOT the next day. Covered up everything with plastic, and still ended up with a swimming pool in one of the holes for the plugs.. Needless to say that triggered the engine warning light. I thought I was careful, but no, still managed C*** it up..

My advice, don't do it.

Spacemonkey... · Oct 7, 2013

And for gawd's sake keep away from any bearings/pulleys....

tina2709 · Oct 8, 2013

Morten said:
I did this a few months ago, like you, a massive oil leak, and the car was due for it's MOT the next day. Covered up everything with plastic, and still ended up with a swimming pool in one of the holes for the plugs.. Needless to say that triggered the engine warning light. I thought I was careful, but no, still managed C*** it up.. My advice, don't do it.

Advice taken

Grendel · Jul 22, 2014

I was wandering the same since my engine is a bit muddy but think I'll pass in that case. After all its only mud it will brush off eventually.

teddywood1 · Jul 22, 2014

personally I have never had a problem with steam cleaning I used to take the son in laws taxi's and never had a problem with them . but never tried to put it in either the dish washer or the cloths washer LOL

fredi250 · Jul 25, 2014

Steam clean every time mind you have only cleaned diesels this way l series and Td4

gstuart · Jul 25, 2014

yep steam cleaning every time but yet again thats on my td4 not an L series

as mentioned used some gunk on it first then steamed it all off and haven't had a problem

bought one of those nilfisk steamers, not as good as the professional ones but one of the best thing i ever bought

Winu · Jul 25, 2014

Mine was washed with water and proper chemistry , but not use a pressure washer.
I remove Battery/ECM/filter box. Seal all intakes (air intake/alternator vents/ fusebox and relays) with some bags. Then make it wet a little, spray all dirty places with Meguiars Engine cleaner. Leave it for a few minutes, then use some brushes to remove everything from tight places.
Then flush it with water. The next step is protect engine from get dirty again - so i use Meguiars Engine dressing on plastic and rubber elements.

The last step is cleaning and protecting all aluminium elements ( aircon pipes, fittings/ fuel pipes, rocker cover ect.) Use a proper tube of paste for aluminium protection.

Of course engine must be cold.

When everything was dry just fitted removed elements, turned the key and he start as always

sparkysbandit · Jul 25, 2014

Well...I went down the degreaser route, brushed in the hard to reach places then used a garden hand held spray thingy....then for good measure did it all again, dried what I could with paper towels rags etc then set about it with the 'back to black' stuff....

All looked lovely and shiny, then I tried to start it....nope it just wasn't having it, eventuality it started but it was a rough as a badgers 4rse, so put it on the drive and left it overnight to 'dry out'. Next morning still the same, it took me all day to dry out every connector etc including sucking out the excess water from plug holes. Once all was dry and put back together I must admit it has run better than ever. But I won't be doing it again!

2002 K series

Grendel · Jul 25, 2014

Mines a K series 1.8 petrol so not in a hurry to get the engine wet. Mind you its only mud on the engine so wont bother cleaning it since will only get more next outing I expect.

gstuart · Jul 25, 2014

winu

nice job as always, must admit i only use a steamer and keep well away from electrics etc

with the fine nozzle on the steamer can direct it quite accurately

didnt know there was such a thing as a protector , will have to look in halfords the next time i go in there

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