Reading all the bad & good with cleaning engine compartment but puzzled....
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,679
Likes: 182
From: Boston MA
I'm not talking about spraying down yer battery =P
The battery is in under the windshield in a separate area than the engine bay. I was talking about the bay itself. It's not like you're dunking the engine bay under water. Nothing is water proof but if you take the necessary precautions, you should have no problems.
Everyone has their own way of doing things. You prefer the spray bottle method and other people prefer hose/pressure washer/etc. To each their own
Everyone has their own way of doing things. You prefer the spray bottle method and other people prefer hose/pressure washer/etc. To each their own
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2005
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I learned the hard way a long time ago
Engines and water do not mix well at all. If you are using water, use it sparingly and be very careful espically around the air intake. Many of the components were not designed to get wet.
Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 25,876
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On old school projects.. covering the distributor cap, all the spark plug mounts,
and the carb. For modern day engines...what we use is pressure washer and meguiar's super degreaser (diluted to 4:1). Modern day engines are sealed so well, you can rest at ease. We never get closer than 6 inches away from seals though. highly pressurized water and steam can get water molecules small enough to pass through seals (which is why steam cleaning an engine bay is a big no no).
Electric karcher pressure washers that advertise 1400 psi, don't really spit out 1400 psi and have water pumps that barely last 25 hrs (great for enthusiast use). To truly get that kind of pressure, you need a gas powered pressure washer.
We use the electric washers for engine bays and the gas powered one with differing nozzles for varying pressure for undercarriage, fenders, paint, etc.
After you degrease the engine bay, dry it out. We use an air compressor to blast out excess water. Then let it dry (it dries while we detail the vehicle) and then use 303 Aerospace to protect and lube up the hoses.
We used to use IN-AND-OUT (and we love the product), unfortunately, there is a chemical in there that causes so much lubrication that many of our customers with aftermarket hose clamps were finding their hoses slipping undone. DOH!
Electric karcher pressure washers that advertise 1400 psi, don't really spit out 1400 psi and have water pumps that barely last 25 hrs (great for enthusiast use). To truly get that kind of pressure, you need a gas powered pressure washer.
We use the electric washers for engine bays and the gas powered one with differing nozzles for varying pressure for undercarriage, fenders, paint, etc.
After you degrease the engine bay, dry it out. We use an air compressor to blast out excess water. Then let it dry (it dries while we detail the vehicle) and then use 303 Aerospace to protect and lube up the hoses.
We used to use IN-AND-OUT (and we love the product), unfortunately, there is a chemical in there that causes so much lubrication that many of our customers with aftermarket hose clamps were finding their hoses slipping undone. DOH!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,599
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Because...
1. It shakes the dirt off
2. Moving parts and your fingers FTW
3. Water and electricity mix
4. If you hit something crucial the engine will probably stop running...hey, at least you know you screwed up!
2. Moving parts and your fingers FTW
3. Water and electricity mix
4. If you hit something crucial the engine will probably stop running...hey, at least you know you screwed up!
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Not a good idea. Simple Green + Aluminium is not the best idea.
From the Simple Green website:
"
The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes.
"<ul><li><a href="http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum">http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum</a></li></ul>
"
The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes.
"<ul><li><a href="http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum">http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum</a></li></ul>