Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe?
 

So I have a pressure washer for the day and I wanted to take advantage of it... Is it safe to pressure wash the engine bay? I'd like to get all the grime out of the nooks and crannies, but I don't want to damage anything. I think it's putting out about 16PSI but it feels lower... Also, if it is safe, are there any things I should cover before taking the washer to it?

This may be a stupid question, but I want to be safe. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif Also, I only have it for the day, so quick replies would be good. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

i do every time i wash my car. hasnt done anything yet.

Re: (IAluder95)
 

its all about tip selection. I believe a 15 degree tip would be ok. But i dont think i would go any lower.

Re: (lude98SH)
 

Very nice. Use the following method as precaution.

1. Use Simple Green

2. Wrap Air filter in a plastic bag and tap shut.

3. Remove Altenator

4. cover the fuse box with plastic bag and tape shut.

Have fun and let it air dry for an hour or two.

Re: Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe? (JCapBB4)
 

I would also disconnect battery and even pull it

I wouldn't even pressure wash my engine bay period though. Hand cleaning takes way longer but water and electronics and pressure are all a bad combo for problems.

Just be smart. don't shoot at electronics period and cross your fingers I guess.

I guess it comes down to if its a "show" car or track car... sounds like an unnecessary risk though to save a couple hours (in my opinion, no offense to anybody at all)

Re: Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe? (JCapBB4)
 

cover any air filters and be careful around the dizzy, if the cap gets wet your car will run terrible til it dries. and avoid spraying alot on the battery and fuse box

Re: Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe? (mattsnooz)
 

A bucket of 50/50 Simple Green and water plus a kitchen sponge worked wonders. Oil sludge nor power steering fluid could hold up against it. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif Like mentioned before, use common sense and cover anything that may be water sensitive. And I would definitely recommend removing the battery completely.

Re: Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe? (no1knows908)
 

The battery. How could I forget.

Never would of thought to hand wash the bay.

Re: Pressure Washing the Engine Bay - Is it safe? (Acidcrakker)
 

I went and bought some engine degreaser as well. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm gonna get started.

Also, I don't know why the topic still shows my "Prsssure" typo after I edited it. http://images.honda-tech.com/set1//smile/emcrook.gif The only reason I care is for future searches and whatnot. So yeah, is there a way to fix that or could a mod change it? https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

i just go to carwash, leave car running, hose down engine with some walmart engine degreaser and hose away. I wouldnt waste ur time removing alternator and battery. i dont even cover distrbutor or airbox. just dont be a maniac with where you're spraying.

Re: (spoonfedcrx)
 

Watch your plug wire if u have them exposed. Ive had that problem b4.

FV-QR
 

It will be fine.

I mean if you dont drown it.

It will work out fine.

Re: (spoonfedcrx)
 

Holy shit! Are you outta your mind. Leave the car running while you hose down the bay. Thats a good way to crack the block. ANd for the altenator. Ive fried 2 of them before when using gunk to clean the bay.

Take your time when doing this. Half assing this will only lead to headaches and problems.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spoonfedcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i just go to carwash, leave car running, hose down engine with some walmart engine degreaser and hose away. I wouldnt waste ur time removing alternator and battery. i dont even cover distrbutor or airbox. just dont be a maniac with where you're spraying.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Re: (Acidcrakker)
 

Well I decided to pass on the pressure washer and just used the degreaser and a regular hose to rinse it off. I removed the battery and my intake filter, blocked off the intake opening, covered the distributer, covered the fuse box and surrounding wires. It cleaned it up pretty well, but it wasn't exactly what I hoped for...

Anyways, I had one problem, though. My car was in the street and at somewhat of an angle, so a puddle of water built up on one end of the groove in the center of the valve cover where the spark plug wires are (H23 by the way), and I did my best to soak it up and prevent it from getting down to the spark plug, but I think some did anyways... So I fired her up to get the rest dry and she was running a little rough...

About two hours later I had to drive for about 35 miles and she was running pretty rough, but I wasn't too worried about it as I read somewhere it's happened before with someone else and it ended up being fine after a while. There was definitely a loss in performance, and when driving in first gear, it felt as if the e-brake was on. So about 5 minutes into my drive, I hit some traffic and notice smoke coming from the bottom of my car, so I pull to the shoulder and check it out. The smoke wasn't coming from the engine, or out of the exhaust (phew), but it seemed to be coming from the middle of the exhaust. After looking at it for a while, the muffler made a couple popping sounds and the smoke started to clear up a bit, and she started to run smoother. So I went on with my drive and she was back to normal...

I'm convinced maybe one of the cylinders weren't firing properly, but I can't be sure. What do you guys think, does that sound right? She seems completely fine now, which is a relief.

Anyways, I just wanted to make sure to let you all know to cover up those spark plug wires, like G2IntegraGS said earlier. Either that or angle the car so the water can drain properly (right to left, if you're looking at the engine from the front). Thanks for the help, and hope this helps anyone else trying to clean up their engine bay. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif

ive cleaned tons of engine bays my way and have yet to run into any problems. like i said dont be a maniac.

have u ever seen someone crack their block pressure washing their motor?

u can call it halfassing all u want have fun taking ur alternator and battery out and putting bags on shit.