Fordmad!

Im thinking of power washing my engine but always been abit curious of the damage it could cause

Has anybody done this?

What do you need to do?

scholesyy

cover all electrics with bin liners or plastic bags. use some jizer or other degreaser to loosen the dirt first.

dazoriginal

what type of car is it ?

beamo76

i am an ex professional valeter and have cleaned every type of car from 500 run abouts to 250k supercars. i would highly recomened NOT power washing your car as long as your happy with replacing some quite expensive electrical components.
even with covering the ecu and other electrical parts you can never guarentee not damaging them. the best way to properly clean your engine is to take it out,strip it and clean it that way. a pain but essential,or you can get it up on a ramp and use a gallon of parafin, that is amazing for cleaning engines
hope this helps

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

I've done it a few times before never had a problem. Cover alternator etc, then shift the dirt with degreaser and a stiff brush first, then rinse with a hosepipe. Using a pressure washer might force water into electrical connections etc.

GAZ W

Ive done loads of cars loads of times without any probs , just make sure you keep the washer away from obvious electrical areas , and ive always done while the car is running , that way if engine does start to die you know when to stop

Fordmad!

I might go down the hard route and just get my hands dirty instead of picking up the power washer

john_d

yeah, i can see that happening!

scottyrs

iTrader: (1)

id actually like to take my engine out repaint it ect but wouldnt have a clue how to tbh lol

Fordmad!

Yeah same but im guna have ago

TOMMY_RS

i wouldn't use a pressure washer to be honest,
i would just wash it normally then gtive it a quick rinse with a bit of water

gingeRS

i used the jetwash with some autoglym pressure washer detergent on my FRS engine and it worked a treat. be careful of the electrics, and it can cause problems on older cars, most modern cars are deisgned to be waterproof, to some extent

TFR is also good if diluted.

saph4be

i just pressure wash it after putting detergent on it avoid mayjor electrical ares then spent ten mins with air line blowing water off multiplugs by dissconnecting then

how do these companys dry clean engines then?

DanW@FastFord

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't do it personally. It 'can' be done obviously, but is it worth running the risk of knackering something?

Retro Al

iTrader: (1)

I use the pressure washer for purely rinsing only, i wouldnt use its power to remove the grime as you dont want to force water into the electrics
Just use a a good degreaser or apc depending on how bad it is, agitate with a nice soft brush or paint brush will do,differant sizes are handy for getting into differant nooks and crannys,rinse off with a power washer but use it at distance or use a hose pipe
Dry off with some towels then use a good dressing to finish off the plastics, i also use swissvax motorshine to finish it off, its flexible laquer and it leaves a glossy finish on pipes ect and also protects them
Heres a golf r32 i did,not massively dirty but you get the idea

Fordmad!

Fair play that does look clean. Im not after perfection just want it tidyed up abit