engine cleaning
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
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engine cleaning
Any suggestions on how to do this this without messing up the electrical components ? the dealer does'nt even want to mess with it. I have a 09 4x4 and going to and from the duck lake it gets really nasty. Makes me sick to see how dirty it is under the hood.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I would suggest some degreaser and small brushes and the smallest amount of water as possible. Then perhaps rinse it with a small amount of water coming from a spray bottle or similar. Way too much electronics to risk getting anything soaked.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
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From: South Jersey
I occasionally wash my engine compartment and I just don't blast everything with the garden hose. I use the shower setting on the sprayer when I wash with an old wash brush and mitt and soapy water. The electrical connections are sealed with O rings and locking plugs so they are moisture resistant. Just go easy on the wet and rinse and some common sense and you should be ok.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Keep water away from the COP's. Water gets down in the plug pockets and shorts the coils to ground and usually will fry the coil.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 689
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From: Rodeo, Ca.
Amen on that! My friend & his son both have F150s & they liked to keep the engine clean. They both had to have plugs/coils replaced from that, not a cheap deal either!
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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If you look at the owners manual, Ford has pictures which show to cover the air intake, fuse box, and battery for the 2011 models. They don't show covering the plug/coil area.
However, if you read the fine print, it does say, "Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well, or the area in and around these locations."
However, if you read the fine print, it does say, "Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well, or the area in and around these locations."
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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The only way to correctly "wash" an engine is with a steam power cleaner. That's what all the detail shops use. The steam evaporates almost instantly and the heat+water mist+pressure cuts the grease and dirt like butter. Any detailing shop that does complete detailing, meaning underhood and everything has one. It's not cheap either, like $150 just to do the engine compartment. But damn does the engine look like new afterwards..and no worries about water getting into places where it shouldn't be.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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I wonder if a cheap steam cleaner like this would work?
Amazon.com: McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner: Home & Garden
Amazon.com: McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner: Home & Garden
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 55
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I wonder if a cheap steam cleaner like this would work?
Amazon.com: McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner: Home & Garden
Amazon.com: McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner: Home & Garden
I've watched these guys do it a couple of times and even had my doubts but the way it was explained to me was the steam while under pressure, isn't nearly as forcefull as a traditional power washer. The traditional power washer uses high pressure water (alot of water) to clean, while the steam is basicly water vapor at a high temperature which evaporates almost instantly when it comes into contact with the engine, leaving no standing water residue. It's quite amazing to watch...The grime and dirt just kinda melts away because of the high temperature, which is the whole secret to the steam cleaner. This is how it was explained to me by the detailing guys. I've never had a problem. The dealerships also use steam to clean all the used vehicle engines that they sell on there lots I believe.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
If I were selling a newer truck for a good amount of money, I'd likely pay a detailer to go right through it.
I've had one bad engine cleaning experience. Much like a tooth ache, you don't want another.
I've had one bad engine cleaning experience. Much like a tooth ache, you don't want another.