Cleaning the Engine
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 281
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From: Woodbury, MN
Cleaning the Engine
Just wondering, whats the best way to clean the engine? Can i just spray the hose on it, or do i have to wipe the thing down with a wet rag? My engine is covered in dirt and grime, all that off roading doesn't help, and wanted to know the safe way to clean it. Help is appreciated. Thanks!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 329
From: Ontario
I've always useed Simple Green. It's the lazy man way of detailing an engine. Spray it on, wait a few minutes and take the pressure washer to it. Brings it up just like new, and I've never had a problem. I even use it on my Mustang and I have a bunch of engine work done on it from intake, heads all the way down, other than block and pistons.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
I agree with the simple green, but a pressure washer?
One oops and all of your electronics under the hood are wet. A pressure washer can drive the water into the connectors.
Protect your electronics with plastic bags, tape 'em up real good and use low pressure water.
One oops and all of your electronics under the hood are wet. A pressure washer can drive the water into the connectors.
Protect your electronics with plastic bags, tape 'em up real good and use low pressure water.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 329
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by wildcard30
I agree with the simple green, but a pressure washer?
One oops and all of your electronics under the hood are wet. A pressure washer can drive the water into the connectors.
Protect your electronics with plastic bags, tape 'em up real good and use low pressure water.
One oops and all of your electronics under the hood are wet. A pressure washer can drive the water into the connectors.
Protect your electronics with plastic bags, tape 'em up real good and use low pressure water.
Obviously when I'm aiming the pressure washer I only give full blast exposure to the non electrical areas. The electrical areas get a blast but from more of a distance. All the electronics under your hood get wet anyway when you drive in rain.
Like I said, it's been working for me for years without complications.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 320
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From: South Jersey
I just use Simple Green, just spray it on a cool motor, let sit for a minute then I just lightly hose it off. Usually I'll just run it to dry, if I really want to do a nice job then I wipe down all the plastic stuff to really make it look nice.
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Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
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From: League City, TX
Simple green and a low pressure mist wash. I usually check for any water pooling around the top of the engine afterwards and blow it out with compressed air. I'd stay away from high pressure washing. I've read dozens of posts here and on mustang forums where someone shorted out a COP or other under hood electronics.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
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From: Ketchikan, AK.
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Don't drive it on rainy days 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 329
From: Ontario
Yeah, if rain bothers it then it's not operating the way it should be. Perhaps I'm lucky, but with at least 5 different vehicles now, including my fairly heavily modded Mustang, I've used Simple Green and a power washer. I always get pooling around the spark plug holes as well. After a good drive and some engine heat build up, the puddling will dry up anyway, but again, I've never had an issue.
When I use the pressure washer, I don't get too close to areas that I would consider volatile. The volatile areas get the spray, but from a further distance.
When I use the pressure washer, I don't get too close to areas that I would consider volatile. The volatile areas get the spray, but from a further distance.
Last edited by last5oh_302; Mar 23, 2007 at 06:01 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 203
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For general cleaning I use Simple Green and the hose. I just make sure I don't hit the connectors with a blast of water. After it is clean, I let the engine idle for a while until it is dry. I then usually finish off with some type of plastic detailer and wipe it down. Never had a problem on any of my cars doing this. I usually do it when I wax. Every 2-3 months.