engine washing [beware!!]

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 25, 2012 | 05:23 PM

miottimouse

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,069

Likes: 3

engine washing [beware!!]

ever get 50.000 or so volts shot at you through a pressure washer gun? i just did this morn and i am still feeling it!! i changed spark plugs in my s/c with the 460 last night and noticed the valve cover gaskets leaking so i took the truck to our shop to wash it a bit useing our 4000 psi hot water washer i used degreser 1st let it soak and started washing after i was done i started the truck and it was missing badly[thought it was water in the dist cap as usual] but i seen a spot i had missed and decided just to give it a shot well ZAP! owwy owwy it didnt take long to drop that gun! i collected my self and proceded to investigate and found i had knocked 1 spark plug wire off when the water hit it so next time i will double check that

the plug wires are snapped on snug

Nov 25, 2012 | 05:32 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

Likes: 83

From: NorCal

Ummm... so the engine was running when ya decided to "touch it up"? Oy.

It's not that the voltage that will kill ya.. it's the current. Still, glad you're okay.

Nov 25, 2012 | 05:45 PM

POPAJON

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,574

Likes: 6

From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada

X2 on the you're
OK end.. AND amperage kills voltage burns. BUT in the end BOTH will kill you given the right situation. John

Nov 25, 2012 | 05:47 PM

gpence

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 842

Likes: 0

From: Palmyra

I've been power washing for years & never ran into that issue before & always leave the motor running in whatever Im washing. Gonna have to remember this!

Nov 25, 2012 | 07:01 PM

74 F350 SCS

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 605

Likes: 1

From: Castle Rock, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpence

I've been power washing for years & never ran into that issue before & always leave the motor running in whatever Im washing. Gonna have to remember this!

Glad you're ok. I too have been power washing engines for over 30 years, sometimes with them running and sometimes not. Never had a problem but this is good to know!