I have a car wash place in Queens that said they would wash the engine for $26. I have a 97 with 200+K miles on it. Its pretty dirty but I am wondering if its safe to do so. I dont wanna end up with electrical problems after the engine is washed.

You guys have any advice for me?

- Ken

 

It's fine. If they do it often, they should know what to do.

Generally you just want to cover up all of the fuse/relay boxes, and direct high pressure spray away from electrical components. You don't even really need to do that, though.

 

So are you saying i dont really need to even wash it or just stay away from electrical components and it should be ok?

 

Well washing it is a personal preference thing, I just meant that you don't really need to be extra careful of the electronics. I just wouldn't start spraying any electrical components directly with a high pressure spray.

 

Are they going to steam clean it?
or just spray degreaser and hose it down

 

go to a manual car wash and do it yourself for $5. i've washed mine plenty of times and never had an issue. i usually bring my own can of engine degreaser, spray that on and then wash it off with water.

 

Simple Green FTW.

 

L have been to the place in queens and washed my engine twice, they are pretty careful and do a good job.

 

meguiars all wheel cleaner FTMFW

 

DYI...just get the engine degreaser, spray in engine, a little scrubbing and just let the water flow slowly, washing down everything.

 

I personally start the car and let it run for a good 20 minutes with the fans on and hood closed. This tends to dry up some hard to reach places. I also like to go for a drive. I've washed my engine twice.

You're fine man.

I usually have the engine off. Does it matter if it's on or off?

 

Done mine a few times with degreaser, then a good spray down.

I would have the engine off during the process.

 

I left the engine off as well.But as IlyaK said, there will be hard to reach places where water will settle.

 

its gonna be hard for water to "sit" in an enviroment where it is that hot

 

yeaaaa you should def do it when the car is off. lol. Kind of a silly question. Also keep in mind. If you don't want to be cracking you headers with cold water. That is also a plus too think about.

I would just buy engine cleaner foam. That tends to be like De greaser but better in some ways because it sticks into the areas it needs and does its cleaning action and just doesn't just run off. Some also have a nice scent too them. I think I need to do mine soon because I did a coolant replacement last week and all you can smell is a slight hint of coolant that has been burnt off the header. So its kinda gross. Also do this about once your car is not hot because the spray will just evaporate too quickly. Spray it off with gentle water around components and spray it decently hard around the "tougher" areas. Let stand for a like 20mins then turn it on for 5-10mins then go for a ride. Should be perfect.

 

I washed mine once so far...man that intake plenum was dirty! Looks soo much better now that's its relatively clean in there. Still runs smooth at 200,000 miles.

 

+1 to DYI. Its like doing dishes.

Get a few medium sized brushes and a toothbrush, some simple green, and go too town scrubbing off and rinsing off section by section. Use a regular garden hose, and don't spray the alternator directly, and be sure to do it on a warm sunny day, waiting 20-30 mins before starting the car. FWIW, after washing, I usually take use an air compressor to blast away any 'pools' of water that build up.

 

^^^
What bamboomerang said.

I did this one at home myself, I have a pressure sprayer, Love it..
Anyways, the only pool of water i really got was the area between the heads under the plenum..That collected quite a bit of water.
I remember there being some wires and a sensor under there too.
Just a heads up. =]

 

Only thing in there is the KS, and it gets hot enough in the valley that the water will quickly evaporate.