Engine Cleaning

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Apr 16, 2016 | 10:10 AM

Squisher

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,026

Likes: 23

Engine Cleaning

Now I'm a bit of a neat freak and like to keep my ride shiny inside and out. Having a 99 7.3 and 03 5.4 I have learned to never pressure wash under the hood. But I'm wondering if water intrusion is as much of a problem on the newer trucks, specifically the 6.2. My engine compartment is getting dusty/dirty and I'm dying to spray it down. But not so much so that I want to risk electrical gremlins.

How, if at all are y'all cleaning your engine bays?

Apr 16, 2016 | 10:28 AM

GSSF17

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 153

Likes: 2

I hose mine out with a moderate spray of water only (what I would call a firm, direct mist), without any direct, continuous spray or hard spraying on any electrical connections/components. I wipe areas down that I can reach with a cloth afterward. Keeps things looking nice.

I have done this periodically since I bought the truck in 2012 and have not had any problems.

Curious for others to chime in.......

Apr 16, 2016 | 10:50 AM

don123

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,047

Likes: 6

From: Massachusetts

I've rinsed my motor off with a garden hose a few times because it was full of salt and dirt. Cleaned up real good with hose then I wiped it all down with a rag. Started right up no problems. Just be careful around electrical areas. Obviously I cleaned it when the motor was cool.

Apr 17, 2016 | 11:04 AM

Squisher

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,026

Likes: 23

Cool. Thanks for chiming in. I guess gone are the old days of spraying some cleaner on and then just giving her with the pressure washer with the carb and the alt covered. Lol.

Apr 17, 2016 | 09:02 PM

R Guest

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 40

Likes: 1

Get some Simple Green and head to the pressure washer. Ive used Simple Green for years and works great on plastic and hoses. Never had a problem using a pressure washer on any of the cars we have owned over the years.

Apr 17, 2016 | 10:22 PM

fordmerc

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 695

Likes: 4

I like to spray the engine down with a degreaser and use a pressure washer on it on the lightest spray setting. Before I start it, I use compressed air to dry all the critical areas.

I know the engines I'm dealing with aren't as complex as what you are talking about, but it has worked for me.

Apr 18, 2016 | 09:15 AM

wrvond

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 2,745

Likes: 72

From: West Virginia

I use the same bucket of car washing soap and microfiber mitt I use to wash the rest of the truck. I do the engine compartment last. I don't use high pressure, just enough to rinse all the soap off, then I dry with a towel to avoid spots.
You do want to avoid soaking the pad on the hood, they disintegrate rather easily.