I have a 2001 SCREW with a 5.4. I was told by a local mechaninc that I should never wash the engine. Is this correct? I had a 1997 before and I kept the engine very clean, but he told me I wash it, water will get around the sparkplugs and cause problems.

 

i have a 2003 Screw and as long as you dont spray water directly on them and be smart about washing and keep it running you will be fine. I have found that when you turn it off and then wash it you end up with a miss. Also if you want to wash it just plan on taking like a half hour to an hour ride somewhere so the engine can be constantly working. thats what i do.

 

It will. Is it imperative to have a clean engine on the outside for you? Would you hose down your computer if it got dirty?

 

I haven't washed my engine in over a year. Just too lazy. I use engine shampoo and spray everywhere except the air filter. Then I hose everything off with the garden hose. I have an air compressor and I use it to blow off the Cops and spark plug boot when I am done. I also have used dielectric grease on every connector in the engine compartment. I have yet to have an related engine failure. I am fully aware of the consequences of water intrusion in the engine. My advice; Wash at your own risk.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I absolutely agree with JMC here. In fact, it was he who saved my bacon when I washed the engine compartment on my 2002 just before trading it in. Needless to say, it caused far more problems than it solved. If you stroll over the General Care & Detailing forum and search, you'll find all sorts of advice on this subject. What you're going to find though is that you're really taking your chances when you use a hose under the hood. Good luck!

 

I took my truck thru a car wash that has the under body wash. Boy was that a mistake. It cleaned the underside alright but shot the crap up into the engine bay. Took a whole day to wipe everything off!!

 

my mechanic told me the exact same thing... that fords have a bad spark plug design and where they are positioned, they are like a bowl and just collect water and other crap which will cause them to ark, or not, and make your engine miss fire.

a few months ago before i had heard this, i hosed down my engine compartment for a good 20 min (while staying away from air filter and major electrical pannel) and when i turned it on the next day, it was fine. BUT, when i went mudding in some deep water, it was a whole different story

 

I never thought about that. That could pose a problem.