Pressure washing the engine- scary!

[biosurf]

Afternoon all!
Having been greenlaning for the first time and driving through alarmingly high muddy water (which was fun!) and getting the Surf filthy (they look far better with mud on don't they?)

As all the garages around my way either shut off the pressure washers in the evening I've only just got around to cleaning it, a bit begrudgingly I admit. One of my neighbours has a Surf that has obviously never seen anything other than tarmac so there was a certain amount of pride in the mud!

The engine was covered in a layer of mud and having searched on here the consensus seemed to be that its ok to pressure wash as long as you avoid the electrics, air intake and alternator etc. As there are a fair few electrics in there and the alternator clearly has a coating of on the coil in it I'm a bit at a loss. I gave it a bit of a spray and got the worst off but theres still plenty and as aI say the alternators covered in crap.

Soooo...... what is the definitive answer? How much can I spray the hell out of it and if I can't spray the alternator then how the hell do I clean it and the rest of the bits I should avoid in the engine?

At least the outside looks clean now. Shame

[Tiger]

Touch wood, i have always steam cleaned and presure washed my engines and never had a problem. providing you don't put the gun to close to the electrics and go mad. just use common sense there pretty tough. only ever had a problem with a V8 but a bit of wd40 and she was soon running

[BUSHWHACKER]

Have the engine running at a fast idle then spray the engine, leave running for a few minutes after to make sure everything is OK. I did it this way and it was fine, even the alt.

[That Ruddy Squirrel]

Be careful with a pressure washer on the rad, the fins are soft and could get bent

But make sure you do clean out the rad, otherwise you could get overheating - been there, done that, seen the temp gauge go rocketing up

[TonyN]

Having been greenlaning for the first time and driving through alarmingly high muddy water (which was fun!)

You happily do the above....

But worry about doing the same with clean water.

Get the pressure washer on it, or you WILL be having trouble with the electrics.

[roylittle0]

I'm with TonyN, you've already washed the alternator in dirty water and its fine, i've been jet washing car engines since i was 17 with no problems, once you have washed it start the engine, never tried it with the engine running but that would work the same if not better, you can always give things a spray with WD40 after as this is also a water dispersant "multi purpose penatrating and dewatering fluid" works for me.

ANd as UDTrev said watch the rad, i've also fubbered on of those up, along time ago.

[darkdezigns]

well i did valeting for years,only car i hurt was my own mondeo st24,engine red hot but i managed to get maf sensor to wet,cut out!!,ran vvvvvvvv lumpy after 4 hrs,then maf spent 2 days in airing cupboard!!

[joker??]

i have also jet washed my engine oh yeah my engine is fubarred

[stormforce]

i have also jet washed my engine oh yeah my engine is fubarred

hey its my engine now ...

[joker??]

hey its my engine now ...

thank god !!!!!!!

[chrisinflight]

I agree folks, jetwash the engine whilst engine running and drive it afterwards. I`ve heard of alternators stopping working due to dried mud in there and a good jetwash gets them working again.

[biosurf]

You happily do the above....

But worry about doing the same with clean water.

Get the pressure washer on it, or you WILL be having trouble with the electrics.

Very fair play to you sir!
Glad for all the feedback guys, will be getting her a lot wetter tomorrow!

Are we talking just with water? I guess not with the soapy setting?
Thanks very much to all

[nero279]

if you wanna use anything use engine degreaser rather than car shampoo, mind i've used both and i don't think it did any harm

- oh yeah, my engine's fubarred too


as has already been said just go a little esy round the alternator, mind if you've still got an AC pump you ain't likely to spray directly into it anyway, i've always done mine engine running + warm, and never had problems on the surf (other than running out of diesel while i was washing it )

[chaz]

Most importantly have you cleaned the underside!! my missus is a dab hand if you need help, she can whip it upside down in a jiffy so you can get to all those difficult bits, the downside is you may need several dent pullers,a gallon of t-cut and OH!! and a new passenger window, christ hope the missus does't see this post

[Baz94]

Most importantly have you cleaned the underside!! my missus is a dab hand if you need help, she can whip it upside down in a jiffy so you can get to all those difficult bits, the downside is you may need several dent pullers,a gallon of t-cut and OH!! and a new passenger window, christ hope the missus does't see this post

Nice call there Chaz, at least with all the troubles, you've still got a good sense of humour,
I take it she's either not reading this or her hand is sore and wrapped up?