Engine Power Washing - Diesel Forum

r47smiley · 08-08-2006, 01:30 AM

Just bought a brand new 2006 Last Night, so I need to give the 2002's Engine a bath. Any recommended procedures for this, I was planning on going the the self-serve wash to clean the engine. Are there any areas of the engine that should not get excessively wet? Engine cool or hot? I would assume cool but........ Let me know what any of you have done.

Thanks

djousma · 08-08-2006, 07:29 AM

I do it at home with a garden hose personally. Too much pressure at the self-serve. Go get some engine de-greaser, and apply it to a cool engine, and let it soak for a while, then just use a garden hose with a mild sprayer on it. No need for the 1000psi pressure to get into everything. Looks great afterwards. To really spruce it up, get the armor all and spray the hoses, etc afterwards.

Dave

NCHornet · 08-08-2006, 07:46 AM

NO Pressure washer!!! I use simple green or the purple stuff as the degreaser smells to bad for a week afterward. I do this on a warm day, cover the alt and the Power steering cap, it has a hole in it, let the degreaser sit 10-15 min then hit it with garden hose and leave the hood open to dry for several hours before starting. Auto zone sells a product called Engine Detailer and it really make the engine bay look good without the stickiness.

cmirabile · 08-08-2006, 10:38 AM

I personally like the power washer, but you have to be careful. If you do use a powerwasher, use a wide stream from 2-3 feet away and you will be fine. Just make sure to cover as many connections as possible with plastic. I use GUNK Citrus and the smell is better than standard GUNK after you start it up.

wpetko · 08-11-2006, 11:22 AM

The power steering fluid reservoir cap has a vent hole so cover that up. Other than that I just try not to spray a direct stream on anything electrical. Be sure to do this on a cold engine so there won't be any thermal shock on hot manifolds, ect. I also start the engine immediately after washing it and either drive the truck or idle it long enough to reach operating temperature. This dries things out quicker and you can see right away if you messed up anything with the water.
This engine washing thing is really important to me. you should do this regularly; about every other time you wash the truck you should also wash the engine. If you stay ahead of the dirt it will clean up much easier and more completely. I usually never have any problem selling any of my vehicles after I pop open the hood and let the prospective buyer see how clean things are under there. Good luck.