7.3 engine wash
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 59
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From: Livingston RV Park
7.3 engine wash
My 7.3 is a 2000 model with a little over 200K miles and never been washed. Should I attampt to wash it? What should I use? Do I leave the engine idle while washing? Use the car wash or the garden hose? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 622
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From: Lincoln, NE
You want to make sure you dont get too much water in there, and watch what you get water on. Not the air filter, not directly on electrical connections. I hosed mine with straight simple green and used the "spot free rinse" at the carwash to rinse it off. It's clean, low pressure, and very controllable. I left it running. I didnt like it much; I would have preferred to steam it, but theres nobody here who does that and I dont own a hotsy. So, I gambled and it was fine.
If you have oil stains, a shot of brake cleaner does pretty good on metal parts.
If you have oil stains, a shot of brake cleaner does pretty good on metal parts.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 2
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
when i wash my engine, i try to do it when the engine is cold becaue the steam gets into some of the connectors and cause starting problems. cover the powersteering pump, alternator, and air filter (if it is an open element) with plastic bags. as for keeping the engine running while washing, im really not sure. someone will be along with and answer. you also might want to do a search on this subject. i use simple green.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
This is how I clean my engine:
- Cover the following with plastic: batteries, alternator, power steering reservoir cap, glow plug/aih relays, wiring harness near the driver's side firewall, and air filter (I have the 6637 filter, if you have the stock airbox there's no need to cover it up).
- Spray Simple Green very liberally all over the engine. Let it soak for about 5 minutes.
- Run the water hose and spray lightly all over the engine and watch the grease melt away. For extra build up, spray Simple Green and rinse again.
- Remove the plastic and dress up the engine compartment as you see fit.
By the way, I never leave my engine running when cleaning.
- Cover the following with plastic: batteries, alternator, power steering reservoir cap, glow plug/aih relays, wiring harness near the driver's side firewall, and air filter (I have the 6637 filter, if you have the stock airbox there's no need to cover it up).
- Spray Simple Green very liberally all over the engine. Let it soak for about 5 minutes.
- Run the water hose and spray lightly all over the engine and watch the grease melt away. For extra build up, spray Simple Green and rinse again.
- Remove the plastic and dress up the engine compartment as you see fit.
By the way, I never leave my engine running when cleaning.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Do the CCV mod to keep you engine clean. I don't clean my engine very often and when I do it's usually just to rub it with a rag. My truck has 200,000 on it and the motor is pretty clean. If you haven't done the CCV mod and/or have a leak somewhere, you'll know it.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Livingston RV Park
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
ive been told you should never steam clean the motor or wash it while it is running..steam is more of a hazard to the sensors then water from a hose..steam is a small mist of water that can be forced back up into tight places..water is heavy and will flow down wards..i wash my motor this way twice a year both big truck and all my other rigs and have never had a problem..
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Larkspur, CO
