so yeah, we have bad water restriction due to lack of rain here in NJ, and i wanted to wash my car so i took it to the local shammy-shine (car wash) and because of so many stories i hear about drive thru washes i took it to the manual spray wash. and im washin it and i see a button that has a picture of a guy sprayin his engine. has anyone acutally sprayed their engine at the car wash? if so how did it come out? and did you have to cover anything up?
thanks
mike

 

my friend JUST asked this question to the mechanic like yesterday man. he said it's really not necessary, and it is a potential problem just waiting to happen. his exact words were "unless it's a beater your trying to get 5 layers of grease off of, i wouldn't do it, regular spray and wipe cleaners work just fine" so i'm thinking i'll listen to a guy who turns wrenches for a livin'

 

alright thanks! im just lookin to clean the hard to reach places

 

i use an old toothbrush in little areas, and sometimes i tape one to a wooden dowell for the reach, seriously. never liked the idea of motor+water, but like my family's saying goes, a clean engine is a happy engine

 

yeah i was wondering the same thing, my engine bay i fairly dirty and i want to just spray a bunch of degeraser and then pressure wash. i migh just try it, because i keep the inside of my car clean but i neglect the engine bay.

 

I've done it before, and should throw out some tips! First off, at the place I went to, the engine cleaner didn't come out anywhere NEARLY as fast as the regular soap/rinse selection. It's more of a gentle spritz than a power wash. 'Fact, you know how the powerwasher doesn't spray hard if you don't pull the handle? Well that's the strength of the engine cleaner. (Again, at the place I went to.) So try it out next time you go- wash the wall! See how hard the cleaner comes out of the gun.

Tip #1: Cover your electronics! When you first get to the booth, before you put your money in, pop the hood. Put tin foil over the distributor cap. Cover the alternator with a trash bag - warning, if it's really hot out, I guess the bag could melt. I ruined my alternator because water got inside.. it corroded the voltage regulator. You could use tinfoil to cover the alternator but don't hit the positive output terminal with the foil or you'll get a hell of a spark! Cover anything else that looks funky, like big electrical connectors, etc. (this goes for regular washing of the engine, using Simple Green, in your driveway, too!)

Tip #2: Don't get the cleaner on your paint!!! No brainer, right? Well, how do you get a car wash's powerwasher (which doesn't stop) over the fender? Ya can't turn it off... unless you want your quarters to run out. So here's the trick. Before moving the selector to "engine clean", lift the powerwasher over your fender, and point it towards the ground. So at this point, you're spraying soap or rinse water at the ground. If you get the soap/rinse water on your fender/bumper/headlight, so what, big deal, the paint will be fine. Now move the selector to "engine wash". With the powersprayer in the engine compartment, pull the trigger until the engine cleaner comes out. Now clean the motor. After cleaning it, rest the powerwasher so it's spraying at the ground again. Move the selector to the rinse position. Pull the trigger (aim at the ground) until the rinse water comes out- because you've moved to rinse, the pressure washer will now be PRESSURIZED, and engine cleaner can shoot out at 3000 PSI until the hose gets cleared and the water rinse comes out. Now hose the motor down with the rinse water. And now, since water's just coming out, you can lift the powerwasher out of the engine compartment, without ruining the fender or bumper or headlight with engine cleaner.

Tip #3: Remove all the foil and garbage bags from the engine, close the hood, then start the motor. Why? Say you leave your hood open and start it. If any cleaner was on your pulleys or belt, it's going to get thrown in the air- and land on your paint. So close the hood. (this goes for regular washing of the engine, using Simple Green, in your driveway, too!)

Tip #4: It's much easier to do this in your driveway. You can take your time, and use a toothbrush or old dishwashing scrubbing sponge. I only powerwashed my motor twice, after that, screw it, I do it at home. Don't forget, that engine cleaner is also attacking (and dulling) the engine compartment's paint! If you wash your motor at home, you can at least control your spray.

Tip #5: Remember at the powerwashers, "tire cleaner" doesn't mean wheel cleaner!! You wouldn't spray engine cleaner on your $1000 aluminum clear-coated wheels, would ya? I wouldn't. Do the tires at home.

Happy cleaning!

 

i wash mine but i try no to wet the distributor and it comes out great no probs here.either take and hour with a toothbrush or one min with a spraygun,both come out about the same its up to you.

 

thanks for the tips..

 

if you can get your hands on one, i'd use a steam cleaner, works A1

 

I always left the motor run during a power wash. then the alt. fans block the water spray, I also never have had a problem this way.

 

Last time I took my car through one of those no-touch laser washes, it stalled when I pulled away and I've had zero problems with my car running, so I'm certainly not keen on powerwashing my engine compartment.

I hate those things with a passion. They're so easy to get your car clean, but my t-tops and hatch always leak going through, despite the fact that they never leak in the rain and I just redid the seals like a month ago.

Mathius

 

I have 5 Camaro's and I just cleaned all the greasy things engines yesterday. (odd timing)

All you need is to go to k-Mart or Wal-Mart and buy a cleaner called "Simple Green" and use it full strength, (dont dilute) and spray it on the motor. THen power wash, I Guarantee that it removes EVERY bit of grease and grime that is on your engine. My father believes in oven cleaner, (works good but corrosive) and won't use anything else. I shut him up real good when he watched me turn his greased up old motor to showroom condition. If anyone can't clean there motor to like new condition with this stuff I'll send you 10$

Best of all it's 3.50$ a bottle and is in no way corrosive, safe on wires, and hoses, etc.

Try it, there is NO SENSE in going to the car wash and using that weak engine cleaner. That stuff pales in comaparison.

Go try it, then come back and thank me, lol. :hail:

 

89RS is on the money about Simple Green. I've used it to good effect in the drive way (thought my motor was terribly grimed).

JamesC

 

if you have access to simple green or other degreasers, use them.

i used carb cleaner once in a pinch, and the fumes stayed around, and got me very high.

so, don't do it, lol

 

i use simple green for everything, during water restrictions i use an old paint sprayer filled with water. let the simple green soak for a few mins then rinse with the paint sprayer. its very acurate so you don't have to cover anything and its high enough preasure to get the grease off.

 

My dad had a gas station and he used to charge to clean engines. He has done quite a few so I asked him about it. He said wait untill the car is cool so the engine block doesnt crack from the heat difference. Then spray on some kerosen and wash it off with a steem pressure washer. If the car has an open element air cleaner then just dont get it wet or cover it with a plastic bag and some duct tape. After your done and everything is sparkely then remove the distributer cap and blow out the condensation with the air compresor and re install it. Start the engine to get it warm and evaporate any acces water and there you go. It looks just like new. Instead of using kerosen you can also use a strong degreaser.

 

I didn't read all your post Tom since I'm sure I'd agree with it anyways but, there is a rhyme & reason to the "engine cleaner" not coming out at high pressure. If you bought your own gas powered press wash,,, you'd end up with the same problem. It's liability... if the 'potent' cleaner came out at the same high pressure and forsay you got it blasted back in your face... lawsuit. The 2400psi gas press wash my bud has will only suck cleaners/deagreasers using the low pressure nozzel exclusively. Stupd.. maybe.. covering ones ****.. definatly. It's the same reason Preperation H has the warning "do not take oraly" on it.....