Cleaning engines?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
From: W. Van., BC, Canada
Boy, I wish the search would work, this one's been covered a few times.
Basically cover anything up that you don't want water on, this includes some of the ignition components, engine computer if under the hood, distributor, etc.
Wash it when the motor is still slightly warm (not hot!!). Use something like Gunk Engine Foam or other spray on degreaser on the lower part of the motor like around the oil pan, where-ever you have greasy spots. Let it sit something like 10-15mins, use a brush and more Gunk on stubborn grease. Regular car wash soap & water on everything else. Then hose it off, with warm/hot water if you have the option (works better to wash Gunk cleaner off). Right after you rinse everything off start it up and let it run at least 10-15 mins or enough so the heat of the motor will evaporate all the water, maybe go around the block too.
Never leave it wet till morning cause you'll have trouble starting it, usually water gets into ignition wires & other places it shouldn't. On the newer modular motors try not to get gallons of water on top where the intake manifold is.
That's all there is to it.
I saw a real dumb*ss drive his Samarai down the boat ramp and submerge the hot engine in Lake Ontario once... that's how you crack the block folks!
Basically cover anything up that you don't want water on, this includes some of the ignition components, engine computer if under the hood, distributor, etc.
Wash it when the motor is still slightly warm (not hot!!). Use something like Gunk Engine Foam or other spray on degreaser on the lower part of the motor like around the oil pan, where-ever you have greasy spots. Let it sit something like 10-15mins, use a brush and more Gunk on stubborn grease. Regular car wash soap & water on everything else. Then hose it off, with warm/hot water if you have the option (works better to wash Gunk cleaner off). Right after you rinse everything off start it up and let it run at least 10-15 mins or enough so the heat of the motor will evaporate all the water, maybe go around the block too.
Never leave it wet till morning cause you'll have trouble starting it, usually water gets into ignition wires & other places it shouldn't. On the newer modular motors try not to get gallons of water on top where the intake manifold is.
That's all there is to it.
I saw a real dumb*ss drive his Samarai down the boat ramp and submerge the hot engine in Lake Ontario once... that's how you crack the block folks!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
I do a far amount of offroading. I have washed my engines many times. The trouble seems to be with the electrical connectors. They are made to withstand the spray that gets under the hood when you drive in the rain and sleet. They are not made to withstand a 2000+ PSI power washer sprayed at them.
I use normal home pressure water to clean my engine. Of course you should cover up what you don't want to get wet. Without a distributor cap, I'm betting you don't need to be worried about much. Keep the water out of the intake and you should be good to go.
Go for a good drive after, no use letting it sit and idle.
I use normal home pressure water to clean my engine. Of course you should cover up what you don't want to get wet. Without a distributor cap, I'm betting you don't need to be worried about much. Keep the water out of the intake and you should be good to go.
Go for a good drive after, no use letting it sit and idle.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS
I use Simple Green on a warm engine and spray it off with a very fine mist from a water hose spray nozzle. There's not enough pressure to mess up the electrical components. Crank and run the engine until dry.
