Washing engine

[Buckda]

What exactly are the steps and precautions I should take when washing/power washing my engine?

Thanks

[Junior Smurff]

There was a thread about this not to long ago. Some said the alternator and other main electrical things, others said they covered nothing. Search button is your bff

[Buckda]

Ok I'll look it up thanks!

[crazymikey]

I just cover the alternator and distributor cap. If there's an open element air filter I'll cover that too. Otherwise spray it with shampoo and go to town.

I pressure wash engines pretty much every day at work. I do my own car regularly too, and never have issues.

[asinclado]

i just cover the filter, i have a cone fiilter, i've never had a problen by not covering the alternator or distributor.

[S.W.A.T]

i just cover the filter, i have a cone fiilter, i've never had a problen by not covering the alternator or distributor.

if you get water inside the distributor your car wont start.

[accordztech]

if you get water inside the distributor your car wont start.

it will, but it will misfire.

I usually take the chance. If anything put electrical tape on the gap between the distribitor cap and distribitor if your that lazy lol.

[crazymikey]

About 10 years ago my dad pressure washed the engine on my Celica and got the alternator wet and fried it. Ever since then, I have always made sure to cover, or not spray directly onto the alternator.

I've seen issues of misfire or hard starting after a wash if your dizzy cap or plug wires are old and worn.

[redlined302]

As long as your alternator and air filter are covered you should be good. MAYBE the distributor cap, but mainly the alternator and filter is what you should take into consideration the most.

[crazymikey]

Go on youtube and watch some videos about engine washing and read some of the retarded comments like "OMG dont ever wash your engine!" "the dirt is keeping things from leaking or coming apart" "you'll fry your electricals omg!"

Sooo funny.

[accordztech]

haha, I FLOOD my alternator. Its fins are always dirty...so I literally hit it a few times. Its always nice and clean when im done. Havent had an issue with frying. Just dont touch it lol.

Do at your own risk.

[Buckda]

Thanks for the comments! Should I have my engine running? Or does it not matter ?

[crazymikey]

Doesn't matter. If you want to be totally safe, keep it running. Either way, it won't harm anything.

[asinclado]

if you get water inside the distributor your car wont start.

yes, you are correct, but also dont forget that if water goes into you distributor, that will tell you you dist seal is bad then, and you need a new one. personally all i cover is the cone filter on my honda, in the other cars i dont cover anything and never had a problem (i have a audi, a focus, and a millenia) the millenia misfires after pressure washing the engine, but after 5 or 10 mins of running it goes away all i have to do is clear the codes, which to me is a small price to pay for a clean engine. the other cars have no issues, but like someone said on a previous post, "do at your own risk".

if you are really worried just cover the distributor, alternator should be ok, i've washed mine once a moth since the day i got it and no problem.