Washing Engine Compartment?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
Washing Engine Compartment?
Maybe I am being paranoid but after reading all the posts about COP's going bad I don't want to take any chances. I am taking my Expy in to get professioally detailed and part of that includes cleaning the engine compartment. I am not sure exactly what they do but I am sure it involves getting the engine wet unless I tell them not to. I was wondering if there is anything I should tell them to do specifically in order to avoid any damage to the electrical system. Am I being too cautious? I know they do this all the time but that didn't stop my first car from getting water in the plug holes and shorting out the wires 
. Any thoughts?
. Any thoughts?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Central Mass.
I always do the following to clean my engines. On a warm engine I liberally spray simple green everywhere. If you have any stubborn spots then brush with a paint brush. After about 10 minutes I spray everything down with a hose on the "wide spray" pattern. Do not use high pressure at the car wash. I take my leafblower and dry it. If no leakblower than use compressed air. Wipe down with towels if no air. I then use and electrical spray cleaner and spray connectors. Sometimes I pull some off to check. I've done this procedure for thirty years and have never caused any problem to my engine/electrical system. Porsches/Audi/Chevy/Fords and no problems. I've seen the guys on Shade tree mechanic do this also. P:S- If my underhood is dirty I spray that also (not the liner though). 
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury, MD
A few months ago I had to clean a "little" mud out from my engine. I sprayed it with simple green and waited about 5 minutes. Then sprayed it off with the hose on the gentle setting. Let it dry and everything worked fine. The manual showed areas to avoid, such as a large wiring block, fuses, and air filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
You just need to be sure its dry, particularly in secondary (high voltage) areas, before firing it up. I like to do it on a hot, sunny day. Disconnect the battery and go to it. Then blow out around the plugs. Let it sit with the hood up and the sun beating on it--longer the better. If you can do it when the engine's warm but you don't need to re-connect the battery 'til the next morning, that's ideal. Keep in mind that it may run "funny" until the computer relearns its parameters.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Detroit
I may be off base here but I have always hated working on a dirty engine. I’ve been going to the carwash and blasting the engine starting with my ’78 rabbit about 20 years ago.
I don’t run the engine but I make sure it is at operating temperature then I give it about a 20 minute ride on the highway to dry everything nice.
I do it about once a year. My 2000 expy gave me no trouble and neither has my 03. It came with an oily film over the entire engine compartment which captured a ton of dust and dirt.
I’ll probably get blasted for this, but it has worked for me over the years.
I don’t run the engine but I make sure it is at operating temperature then I give it about a 20 minute ride on the highway to dry everything nice.
I do it about once a year. My 2000 expy gave me no trouble and neither has my 03. It came with an oily film over the entire engine compartment which captured a ton of dust and dirt.
I’ll probably get blasted for this, but it has worked for me over the years.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
I'm certainly not going to blast you, but I think with the apparent sensitivity of modern electronics, particularly for those of us with COP's, it is too risky to start the engine right after spraying water onto it. Personally, I wouldn't want even the 12v from the battery. I would at least want to blow out the spark plug area with compressed air.
Admittedly, I have been known for "overkill".
Admittedly, I have been known for "overkill".
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Detroit
I definitely understand where everyone is coming from. Especially with the known COP problems.
Maybe I'm just lucky. I washed my 2000 5.4 three or four times, and my 03 once. No apparent problems.
It seems to me that the engine is right out in the open anyway. Driving on a highway during a rainstorm must get some water in there.
Admittedly, I try to keep away from the spark plug wires.
Maybe I'm just lucky. I washed my 2000 5.4 three or four times, and my 03 once. No apparent problems.
It seems to me that the engine is right out in the open anyway. Driving on a highway during a rainstorm must get some water in there.
Admittedly, I try to keep away from the spark plug wires.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Temecula, CA
spraying the motor with Simple Green and thne washing it off isnt going to cause any problems. There are many cars with COP not just the Expy(we just happen to be on an Expy forum) Run the car to warm it up , dry it afterward and there should be no issues.
Rain gets in the motor compartmnet every time we drive in a rainstorm and that doesnt hurt it.
I wouldnt be so paranoid about washing a motor.
Rain gets in the motor compartmnet every time we drive in a rainstorm and that doesnt hurt it.
I wouldnt be so paranoid about washing a motor.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
Well, yes it gets wet when driven in the rain, but it starts out dry and there's nothing forcing the water into the boots, etc. If driving in the rain were a problem, the design would have to change, but they won't do it for the few who wash their engines.
And,... I'm not paranoid if everybody really is out to get me!
And,... I'm not paranoid if everybody really is out to get me!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: NJ USA
Alright, I am an idiot! I power washed my engine, and everything was fine, then about 5 minutes down the road, I lost some power, ran rough and the check engine light started flashing. Obviously I got the wrong thing wet, and it is angry! My question is did I fry something, or will popping each COP unit and blowing the hole out with air fix this. I recently changed the plugs and used a liberal amount of dielectric grease on the contact points (and inside of the wiring clip) I cant see how water would cause such a major miss (unless I shot the plug hole full of water)