Pressure Was an Engine, is that OK?

SO, my engine bay and engine are pretty dirty. I have a 1300 PSI power washer...

do you see where I am going with this? On one had I am thinking it is OK and on the other hand there is a bunch of wires and vacuum hoses in there...

So, would you power wash you engine?

Vote...... NOW.

I've done it a bunch of times. I've also filled the spark plug wells with water, causing a misfire.

I'll probably do it again and be more careful, though I doubt I'd try it on the 911.

i cant count how many times little vw kids start unplugging things to pressure wash their engines, then plug "everything" (usually they miss something) and go to start their car and it runs like E36 M3 and blame it on us. So if you start unplugging things, be sure to plug them back in correctly. Other than that, i say yay.

I've done it plenty of times, and only had a problem once. Sprayed the E36 M3 out of it, then it wouldn't start. Popped the distributor cap off, wiped out the moisture with a rag, put it back on and it fired right up. Now I'm a little more careful around the distributor, but other than that, go crazy.

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: i cant count how many times little vw kids start unplugging things to pressure wash their engines, then plug "everything" (usually they miss something) and go to start their car and it runs like E36 M3 and blame it on us. So if you start unplugging things, be sure to plug them back in correctly. Other than that, i say yay.

Why do they unplug everything? The connectors are designed to keep water out. If you unplug them they don't a very good job of it. Or do the connectors do a poor job of keeping high pressure water out and you have to dry them off before the go back together? Just curious.

Bob

Simple Green plus garden hose works for me. Low pressure, less risk.

I've done it in the past at the car wash. Don't know if it matters, but I normally try to keep most of the direct spray from modules and things, and I try to do it while its warm( not hot ) and running. Basically spray a little simple green or purple power on the really bad spots, drive to the car wash, leave it running and hose it down away from prying eyes. Was much younger last time I did this. Probably a better way to do it.

Schmidlap wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: i cant count how many times little vw kids start unplugging things to pressure wash their engines, then plug "everything" (usually they miss something) and go to start their car and it runs like E36 M3 and blame it on us. So if you start unplugging things, be sure to plug them back in correctly. Other than that, i say yay.

Why do they unplug everything? The connectors are designed to keep water out. If you unplug them they don't a very good job of it. Or do the connectors do a poor job of keeping high pressure water out and you have to dry them off before the go back together? Just curious. Bob

because they read on vortex and listen to their friends.

If you have a dizzy, protect the joint with the cap and body; duct tape, a rag tied around it, etc. Obviously, if the vac hoses are old and cracked, they are at risk. Maybe a good opportunity to replace them. Carbs don't like water blasted into the float vent holes. In other words, use some common sense, and don't directly blast areas that you know may be troublesome. Use a leaf blower or output of shop vac to help blow things dry, or blot with dry rags.

I've used various degreasers and pressure washer combos on more cars than I care to count (including quite a few 911's, there's not much in there to mess up). I've also done countless engines on stands and transmissions sitting on the ground out in my parking lot. DO NOT unplug the connectors, they're designed to keep water out. If you unplug them you'll be forcing a ton of water up into the part the factory tried very hard to keep dry.

Generally, I try to avoid spraying ignition components, open air filters, and computer stuff (air flow meters, ECU, ABS modules, etc...) directly. Otherwise, blast away. There's not really anything in the engine compartment that can't get wet, pop your hood one day after driving on the highway in a heavy rain and see if you can find a dry spot...

I prefer to do this at the quarter car wash. That way all the nastyness that you wash off does not end up on your own driveway. Simple Green is a good choice. I have also used Gunk brand orange with good results.

Take along a can of WD40. If you find your electical connections have not enjoyed so much water then just spray liberal amounts of WD40 onto the same connections. The reason for this is the WD (water displacement) characteristics of that majic can.

Do not use too much pressure!

Along with all other previous advice, I have heard of people shorting alternators while pressure washing an engine bay. When I do it, I just make sure to be careful around that area, or cover it with a plastic bag. Then, blast away!

Doing it with the engine running helps you idenify what spot you sprayed that killed the engine. Saves time when it doesn't start after spraying it. Otherwise you'll end up disconnecting every connector and drying them out until it starts...

BTW- I pressure wash engines with a steam cleaner on a regular basis. Just stay a mile away from the coil on any MKIII VW

I've done it a lot and never had problems. I've had good luck using aluminum foil to wrap the various electrical components to keep them safe - alternator, coil packs, etc.

Cone_Junky wrote: Doing it with the engine running helps you idenify what spot you sprayed that killed the engine. Saves time when it doesn't start after spraying it. Otherwise you'll end up disconnecting every connector and drying them out until it starts... BTW- I pressure wash engines with a steam cleaner on a regular basis. Just stay a mile away from the coil on any MKIII VW

I meant to give the same advise, but forgot. When you do it with the engine running, it will usually stumble before it dies if you're getting water where it shouldn't be, giving you enough time to move the sprayer and not fill something important with water.

killed one of the coil packs on the p71 when i got it and took it to the car wash to clean.

Well I did it, and everything is still working. :)