Is it OK to hose down my 7.3L powerstroke? It's a filthy mess! Anything I should cover or watch out for?

 

Could you be a little more specific?

 

i washed mine and have had no problems yet, i just made sure that i didnt hold the pressure washer wand to close to anything that looked like it should be washed. iafter i finished i went over everything and the hard to reach spots with a rag.

 

And do NOT do it when the motor is warm - that's a big no-no. I think I'd use regular water pressure and not a pressure washer under the hood.

 

I have a fetish about detailing under hood of all my vehicles. If you really want to score big, first get engine hot. I took the air box, engine cover and intake pipes off, sealed the turbo air intake. Use 1 full can of aerosol engine cleaner and hose it down-use it all. After 5 minutes take a pressure washer, use safety goggles, and let her have it! Soon as your done, have a heavy duty spray bottle with armor-all or similar product, hose it down, pour remainder on hot exhaust parts and close hood. Let sit for 1 hour. If gas engine, a full day works better. Then I take silicone tire dressing and give it to her again!
Some good advise: Those who do not understand electronics will tell you not to do this. The fact is, all electronic components and connectors are weather-pac style and will resist the moisture-If one does fail, it was going to let go anyways.
This is a great help if you plan to work on engine like I had to, to replace 2 failed injectors.
Enjoy, Tony D.

 

You are to never wash ANY motor when it is hot. Can cause a whole range of problems - do NOT do this!!

 

it's ok to wash if engine is cool but don/t hit the alternator to hard I wash them all the time at work

 

yeah i agree with not washing your engine when it is hot. but if you want to go ahead, but you risk cracking your block when the cold hits the heat.

 

I used a hose with a spray nozzle and nearly killed mine. Don't know exactly where I sprayed that I shouldn't have, but I suspect it was the two connectors near the top of each valve cover that caused my problem. She started up but ran very, very rough.

Brrrrrumph....Brrrrrumph....Brrrrrumph....Brrrrrum ph....Brrrrrumph....Brrrrrumph....Brrrrrumph....Br rrrrumph....Brrrrrumph....

It took a day to work itself out. Looks good though.

So just don't do whatever I did and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks to all that responded; I wash all my engines, but thought I'd check with the gurus in case there's something I should know but don't. Sounds like it's as I suspected, wash away with concern for: hot engines, open parts and intakes, etc.
Thanks again.
Luke

 

I will ABSOLUTELY not do what you did, I hope.
Luke

 

Hey All!
Crack the block by washing engine? Now that's a theory! Maybe I meant to say "warm the engine up first" instead of "get it hot" meaning get to operating temperature and let cool for a few minutes.
I meant no insults, only trying to help! Thanks, Tony D.

 

Suppose I should have mentiond: It is very important to not start/drive until mostly all water has evaporated or been displaced by vinyl dressing or silicone tire sprays. In medium humidty this can take up to a day!
Thanks, Tony D.

 

The engine should be cold, not even slightly warmed up. This is from my PSD Owner's Guide Supplement:

 

I got the jest of what you meant the first post. I would spray my gasser with solvent, drive it to the car wash (about 4 blocks) let it sit there warm and let the solvent do it's thing and then spray the $h out of it.

Thanks for your comments,
Luke