O.K. to powerwash inside engine bay?

[baddohtentahoe]

im just wondering because every time i go to the car wash i always power wash under the inside of the hood and the whole engine bay. i avoid the alternator,battery,intake manifold(under the cover) and air filter because mine is a CAI with no lid. i never had any problems so far and it keeps things looking really new. upstate NY winters do a number under there and power washing is the only way i can get it clean. i dont really use any degreasers but would it be bad too. thanks!

 

[JochenWoern]

im just wondering because every time i go to the car wash i always power wash under the inside of the hood and the whole engine bay. i avoid the alternator,battery,intake manifold(under the cover) and air filter because mine is a CAI with no lid. i never had any problems so far and it keeps things looking really new. upstate NY winters do a number under there and power washing is the only way i can get it clean. i dont really use any degreasers but would it be bad too. thanks!

In my opinion, it would be best to NOT use a power washer. Use a engine degreaser or some simple green and I would not use any higher water pressure then a standard garden hose.

A pressure washer can do some damage on electrical connections.

 

[ChrisAU]

Spraying electrical connections with water is something I have always been terrified of. I just go with a wet rag and some degreaser.

 

[edgaranah1]

Yeah don't use a pressure washer on your engine bay a regular hose avoiding certain areas will do the trick.

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[LI99HOE]

I agree w/these guys. You'll only wind up forcing water into places you don't want it.

 

[domin8]

I'll guarantee the dealer pressure washed under the hood when they sold the car, and nothing happened. I've been doing it for years to my personal cars. Nothing has every happened. The one time I know of where a friend pressure washed under his his and had a problem wash a Ford Ranger with a distributor. All we had to do was wait 30 minutes for it to drain.

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[Modded]

I power wash my engine bay and nothing will happen. Keep the wand far back and moving swiftly and I guarantee you will be fine. Also don't aim the water at the certain electrical areas.

 

[R_Sharpe]

I was literally just wondering about this, lol. My engine bay looks like I took the hood off and drove through the desert...

 

[ChrisAU]

Murphy's law applies to the first person to pressure wash their engine bay after reading this thread.

 

[OHSIXX]

Water and electrical components do not mix so its like rolling the dice.......I personally just use rags w/ spray cleaners to keep the engine compartment looking new.