I went through some deep mud the other day and some water got splashed in my engine compartment. The engine runs fine but it looks really dirty. The owner manual suggests washing it after covering the air filter and battery but I'm reluctant do so.

Does anybody do this on a regular basis? I just need to know how safe it is to just spray water on the engine. Won't it damage the alternator if it gets wet? Should I do it with the engine running or not? Should I just put a towel on the battery and air filter or plastic? Can I do it at a presure car wash or low presure garden hose? I've never done this, maybe I should go to a car wash, but which one? Do all of them do it?

Any insights will be very helpful.

 

anybody?

Ford says the engine should be washed for it to run more efficiently. But how?

 

I wash my engines on a regular basis. If I do it at the car wash, I let the engine cool off for a little while first. Then when I do start to apply water, I stay quite a ways away from the components. In my case, the wash is basically to remove dust and any light oil film that may have appeared since the last wash.

I do not cover anything, and in 27 years of doing this to every vehicle I have ever owned, I have never damaged anything and have never had a problem starting the engine after the wash.

If I am washing the vehicle at home, I do it when the engine is cold. I spray it down with Simple Green first, let it soak, then rinse it off with cold water. Again, nothing covered and never any starting problems.

 

I too have been washing my engines for years including my F150.

Don't worry about the alternator. What do you think happens when it is raining? Water mist sprays all over your engine through the rad!

Remember a clean engine is a sign of a sick mind!

Peace-

 

Spay simple green on the engine, (not hot, warm ok) let sit a few miniutes and spray off with water. Use enough water to rinse it, but try to avoid direct water streams into any components. Then start it, and drive it around a bit to get it good and hot and dry it out. I have been doing this for years, other than sliping belts for a few seconds after first starting it, no problems.

 

Ya, don't worry about washing it. Just make sure it's less than hot (so warm) when you do it.

Personally I wouldn't use pressure spray just because it can get into the cracks of connections and things where water never was and could start trouble.

Don't worry about the battery, it's actually good to wash it to get the crud off the top. Too much dirt between the terminals can actually start a current path and drain it so keep it clean. Plastic battery housings are awesome, no more rusted-through battery plates - use warm water & baking soda under batteries to neutralize the acid.

If it's greasy use engine foam in a spray can. Just spray it on. Let it soak about 10 minutes (around oil pan). Scrub with a brush on stubborn grease, then hose off with low pressure (hot water if you have it).

Try to stay away from the top of the motor (fuel injection/ignition). Best to wash it when the motor is still a bit warm. Right away when you're done start it up and let it get hot enough to evaporate most of the water off. I once washed the motor in my old Ranger and did it with a cold motor. Didn't start it and in the morning it wouldn't start because water got in some little crack (distributor or something) and it wouldn't run. Had a hell of a time. So don't learn the "hard" way.

ps. don't do what BOSO the clown did... I saw a guy once drive his Suzuki Samurai down the boat ramp into a lake up to the top of the front wheels (nose first) to "clean his motor". This idiot was asking for a cracked block by shocking it with cold water... DUH.

 

thank you all

I will wash it carefully.

 

I'd be carefull about the plug holes. Don't let a lot of (or any) water get down them. I'd cover the alternater too. Just use one of those plastic grocery bags. I actually killed one on my very first car I had as a teenager. Just opened up the hood, sprayed the degreaser and let the water fly!!! A day later my alt quit...... Ever since, I've covered them and not killed one since. Takes like a minute to do. Better safe then sorry.

 

I spray mine down with aerosol degreaser, and go to town with my pressure washer. I've done this to countless engines, including a b***load of Mercedes The only engine I ever had trouble with was my ex g/f's Nissan Pulsar. It was a POS anyway, and even it dried out after a day or two, lol! I wouldn't worry too much about it, just get it clean If a clean engine is the sign a sick mind, then I'm among the sickest. Check mine out after a good cleaning,,,,,98

 

I use foamy engine degreaser and a pressure washer and never had problems. I also use compressed air and blow out some puddles that form on top of the engine and especially around the electrical connnections (coil packs).

 

Never had a problem either. I've been washing it for 4 years now and I'm kinda happy to report that the engine compartment still looks clean . . . not shiny, but you won't get all dirty playing around in there. I want to get er nice and shiny this spring

I use a pressure washer BUT I don't spray it directly on the engine at close range. I usually just spray it above the engine and let the lower pressure water do the job. If you keep it fairy clean, you won't need to use alot of pressure . . . your just taking off dust and other "light" stuff. I'm not sure about caked on mud, I've never let it get that far. My buddies 01 is scary underneath the hood with all the mud . . . I don't even know if he has an engine in there

I don't cover anything, just take it for a good run after the wash to generate some heat to get the bulk of the moisture evaporated.

My theory is that if rain and mud get splashed up in there all the time, clean water can't hurt it.

 

I've only had to actually use water in my engine compartment ONCE! I used Eimann Fabrik Engine Degreaser. It is a natural citrus cleaner. Smells like oranges MMMMMMM

I sprayed it all over and then agitated it with a little brush I had. I then let it sit for about 15mins. After the 15mins I used my car wash nozzle set on shower to wash out the engine. I then used a towel to wipe as much water up as I can.

Now, once a month, I go over the everything with a towel to wipe whatever new dirt has gotten in there off. I've not had to use my degreaser or water since then! 10mins a month spent doing this will save you this worry.

Head over to this thread for my super clean engine!

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=68831

 

I know this is stupid, but does anyone clean the underside of the engine? How do you do it without getting all wet?

 

You might try putting it up on jackstands or ramps. Wash the top first then use a hose sprayer to reach the underside.