is it ok to wash the engine of a car during car wash?

Answer 1

I use the do-it-yourself coin operated car wash and regularly wash the engine with the de-greasing solution. Do not spray the electrical components with the high pressure spray and don't get any water in the carburettor or throttle body.

Answer 2

It is never desireable to sprinkle cold water on hot engine. Some serious damage is done like crack in manifold and some times engine or some time the linkage of manifold and exhaust as these metals have different shrinking ratioes and when shrinking can break the adjoining end. You may clean the engine as many wise people advised you above, cover alternator, distributor, carburateur and battery with polythene bags, spray degreaser abunduntly, give 5/6 mins and splash water by hand with bucket. Dry it with with rags, let it run for 10 mins to allow moisture to evaporate, your engine will be in mint condition.

Answer 3

Dexter, I've been washing motors for 45 yrs. at the local wand type car wash with absolutely no problems. Drive it in and spray away. Nothings going to crack because your motor runs at 195 degrees anyway. The intake manifold and exhaust manifold positively will not break or crack.
I never had a re-start problem plug wires have silicone boots on the spark-plug terminals and at the the distributor and or coil packs.
This ts a much better non odor way of cleaning the entire engine compartment than the stinking spray bombs of degreasor that leaves a white pool of grease in your driveway.
Don't bother trying to clean the under-hood noise insulation as it'll drip crap all over your fresh motor.
If you are concerned with it's filth, pull off the plastic clip-ons and remove it before spraying the motor compartment. Hang it up in the car wash and spray it off and take it home in a couple of plastic bags and let it dry in your driveway before fastening it back inside the hood.

Smile and admire your great work.

Answer 4

If you mean spraying the engine down with a hose, I wouldn't recommend it. Water could get into your air filter , and when you start the car, the water will get into the engine resulting in you having to get a new engine or a new car. If you want to clean it, auto shops (such as pep boys, autozone, etc.) sell degreasers which you can just spray it on your engine, and if you have a compressed air tank you can use it to blow it off so it can dry really fast. Other then that, you can just get the engine steam cleaned at a car shop or car wash if they offer it.

Answer 5

Depends largely on the engine type. If it has a distributor, cover it with a polythene bag, the same will be required for the carburettor and alternator. For good measure cover the battery too and anything electical. If any water does get in to the distributor open it and blow out the water. Cheers.

Answer 6

Lots of myths going around about this. Leaving the engine running is actually a good idea, but won't guarantee anything. Don't use hot water unless you know what you're doing, you can cause problems with the A/C system. Be prepared to have to blow out the distributor cap and remove the plug leads and blow them out. If the engine is a DOHC with plug wells, you'll have to blow them out as well...

Answer 7

There shouldnt be any problems as long as you take precautions like leaving engine on ,covering the throtle body with rag or a bag and be as quick as posible .

Answer 8

Why risk any problem. Spend $75 and have it steam cleaned. This is what car lots do. It will look a lot better with absolutly no risk of damage!

Answer 9

Why, sure! Just bring a couple of gallon-sized freezer bags to help shield the distributor cap from excess water, and wash away!

Answer 10

Yes as long as the engine is cold, otherwise you risk cracking the block or other types of damage.