Dirty Engine

[gusfraga]

I got my car back on january and now is 7000 miles old....
The engine looks very dirty... I wonder if using a powerwasher will be a good a idea.
Help ,ideas..welcome!
GUs

[Duckhunter]

I would not powerwash as water could get in electronic connectors. I have used engine degreaser and garden hose on my truck with good results.

[EdwardDennis]

Originally Posted by Duckhunter

I would not powerwash as water could get in electronic connectors. I have used engine degreaser and garden hose on my truck with good results.

Ditto-- On a COLD engine, of course.

You can also use a bucket of dish detergent and a washrag to wipe down the really greasy spots. Rinse with a light garden hose spray, and then drive around for a few minutes so that any accumulated water has either run-off or evaporated.

[Kermit]

I've successfully been just simply hosing down my motor every 2,000 miles. I live in a VERY DUSTY road which has completely trashed my motor. I've found just simply hosing it off with a garden hose and steering clear of what electronics you can works fine. I've also found it's been easy to hose off what looked to be greasy without the use of any kind of cleaners (Gunk, Simple Green, Purple Stuff etc).

Just my personal experience with what I've done with my car - 15k on it so far.

[gusfraga]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

I've successfully been just simply hosing down my motor every 2,000 miles. I live in a VERY DUSTY road which has completely trashed my motor. I've found just simply hosing it off with a garden hose and steering clear of what electronics you can works fine. I've also found it's been easy to hose off what looked to be greasy without the use of any kind of cleaners (Gunk, Simple Green, Purple Stuff etc).

Just my personal experience with what I've done with my car - 15k on it so far.

Thanks for the tip
I will try this weekend and will let you know if the car runs again
Gus

[jefferios]

NEVER use a power washer to clean off an engine, the pressure will be able to seep into the seals and thus leading to premature corrosion. Garden hose is OK.

Personally the look (for me) of the engine is out of sight and out of mind.

[Smart09]

I'm scared of putting water. I mean I waited a long time for the car. I don't wanna break it already

[mfoster]

Twice a year, on a cold engine, I use a diluted simple green and rinse off with garden house. Just sold a 14 year old Montero and the engine looked like new.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by Smart09

I'm scared of putting water. I mean I waited a long time for the car. I don't wanna break it already

I had a Porsche 356C about 20 years ago that I didn't drive because I was scared someone was going to hit it. Never had any fun.

If it is getting dirty, you should clean it. Just don't use a sledgehammer to hammer your picture hangers on your wall at your house. Use the tool that is best for the job.

A pressure washer might be overdoing it at the moment - though the people that don't clean their engine may be using the pressure washers to clean their engines as their only resort.

A simple garden hose with light pressure is more than sufficient for now while most cars are such low mileage. As I said before - try to steer clear of what electronics you can and you'll be fine.

[Smart09]

Ok I'll try it sometime but I'll come after you if anything LOL