I looked underneath the hood of my car, and wondered if I could go to the car wash, and wash underneath the hood with a pressure washer? I've seen this done before, but I think there are certain area's you're supposed to watch out for such as the engine or something like that. Does anyone have any experience with this?
2006-12-30 13:59:56 · 11 answers · asked by educated1 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Nothing should happen by pressure washing under your hood. However i wouldn't take the risk. There is a chance you could water log your alternator, short some wires, screw up a starter etc. I would suggest a degreaser instead. I prefer to use Simple Green.
2006-12-30 14:12:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not recommended by an old mechanic not if it is petrol driven just bye some de-greaser spray it all over your engine bay trying to avoid your distributor that is the thing with all the wires on you don't want water in there,avoid the air intake hose don't spray water in there that is the hose that goes to the engine carburetor or fuel injection system normally on your left hand side of the engine and cover up your alternator the brushes will get rusty unless you are going to drive it straight away afterwords and then just house it off with a normal garden house not on the lawn please or near the storm drains hope you find this OK.
2006-12-30 14:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by tazdevil007au 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If all he has is mud I wouldn't use anything more powerful than a garden hose with a fine spray. That is more than sufficient to get the mud off. Why use a pressure washer and risk doing damage like perhaps punching a hole in some weak sheet metal. You wouldn't use a six pound sledge hammer to drive a 10 penny nail when a 1 pound hammer was available, or would you?
2016-05-22 22:31:58 · answer #3 · answered by Amy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
If you use pressure washier, the pressure is too great that it can damage the insulation (if older vehicle with brittle wire insulation) which will lead to all kind of strange electrical problems. Even in newer cars, it can force water into places it would cause damage.
The only thing you can do is to use de-greaser (spray can) and use low pressure garden hose to gently wash it off. Be aware though, you should be very careful with areas of spark plugs, wire-harnesses, and electrical components.
It is common that people selling used cars would do this, but it is also not unusual that cars after these treatment exhibit drivability problems. (strange engine issus, warning lights, etc)
If you are not experienced, I don't recommend you do it.
2006-12-30 14:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is fine to do, But when I do it I put a plastic bag over the alternator. It will either be on the passenger side or front of the engine. This just prevents damage to it from water. Also make sure you dont spray in the intake. You should be ok everywhere else though. Hope this helps! *********edit********** On the people that are saying "use engine degreaser", read the instructions!! This is a solution kind of like gojo for engines. You still have to use water to rinse it, it just loosens the dirt like soap. Like I said before, READ INSTRUCTIONS PEOPLE!!
2006-12-30 14:03:06 · answer #5 · answered by Jr. Mechanic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the car is pretty new, you will not have a serious problem, except with soft insulation that the high pressure can destroy.
If is used, you will get more probles with all electrical wires and high voltage to ignition.
Is better to find another way to clean inside, like a soft detergent with water from the hose, at low flow and pressure, or to use a destilated solvent to clean grease parts. Its better.
2006-12-30 14:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by josempolo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally it's not worth the risk on newer cars. I have seen problems with engine sensors and other things caused by pressure washing engines. The high pressure water can get past the seals on connectors and cause corrosion.
2006-12-30 14:22:25 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Badwrench 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not know make of your car,age, engine, etc etc. Let me suggest that as you have not done this before, or observed closely how it is done, go to a detail shop and ask them to do it. They will make your car look like new both outside and inside.
2006-12-30 14:43:05 · answer #8 · answered by tjdepere2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes ,you can ,,but you sort of don't want to get the alternator all that wet ,and also be care full around the ignition system,,,but i clean mine off about twice a year ,just in case i might have to work on it,,at least it will be good and clean,,good luck hope this help,s.,,happy new years.
2006-12-30 14:10:41 · answer #9 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yep i powerwash my engine gotta cover up plug wire one older cars doesnt hurt a thing
2006-12-30 14:14:27 · answer #10 · answered by Tim B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋