Sunday BBQ

One the car is cooled down, pull a battery cable or two and just hose off the entire engine bay. It's really muddy since we went playing in the mud and I don't want it to take a million minutes. I want to just hose the darn thing off. I'd let it dry before starting it though. What do you think?

Marc P

I am not a big fan of washing an engine--but if you are going to do it, keep the engine running during the whole process--and use as little water as possible.

terky

should be fine, just watch out for the distributer. And just to be safe when you are done spray some WD-40 around the dist. and let it sit a minute.

Know what WD-40 stands for?

Water Displacement Formula 40. Invetned by nasa to use on circuit boards. Techs started sneaking it home and figured out alot of good uses.

Sunday BBQ

Keep it running? I think that's exactly what you wouldn't want to do. I'm not talking just the engine, which would be steaming by the way, but I'm talking about the whole engine bay.

terky

Yeah i wouldnt keep it running either. You arent even supposed to add cold water to the coolant when the truck is running.

Everything in the bay can handle low pressure water, its when people bring out the Presure Washers that they get into trouble.

Birdman

Keep it running? What is the logic behind this?

User 051420

I've never had a problem hosing my engine with a high pressure washer. Turn off the engine, hose it off, keep going.

bulldog-yota

DOnt worry just hose it down wash it and hose it off. What do you think happens when people drive through deep water, especially with the fan spraying it all over the engine compartment?

Phoenix12

I give a "medium" pressure soak to loosen the mud and grime and wipe what I can with a wet rag, then give everything rubber or plastic a good shot of tire foam. Looks like a new engine. WD40 is a good call on the distrib., though in AZ we don't worry too much about water sitting on parts very long.

flecker

Aw Come on... douche that puppy, nothing will happen. And don't run the engine while your doing it I just use simple green and armor all on mine. turns out graet!

ilion

The meaning I've read is, "Water Displacement on the 40th try."

And it predates the silicon chip and board; it was for cleaning and lubing rocket parts in the 50's.

Dig It!

Maddog

I used to steam clean alot of engine bays when i was younger,& never had any problems,you may have to clean up the distributor cap if it runs rough afterwards but that s all that should be a problem.just try not to spray directly at it.
the worst thing that ever happen was the time i reversed out of the cleaning bay & the door flew open ,bent the thing in half ,boss wasnt happy

SLC Punk

Yep, just watch out for the electrical stuff (i.e dist) like said before. I washed the engine all the time on my 94 Ranger. I have only one it once on my 4Runner. But have never had a problem.

metalhed

Greetings So unlike some chevy products, we can wash the whole engine without fear of shorting out or killing any TPS switches?

I ask cuz the new truck (2001 Tacoma) is light years different from the old truck (1984 pu) thanks

My99

This is a yota, I've never had trouble, high pressure or garden hose pressure with water. The 90 I've been working on was filthy. TOok it to the carwash, popped the hood, sprayed everything down with some purple degreaser stuff. Let sit for about 10 mintues or so. Brought out the "rinse" cycle and gave it a good once over for about 2 or 3 minutes. Didn't unplug anything or cover anything up. If your distributor is not sealed well you COULD have a problem, so this would be my only concern, and I didn't intentionally try to spray water in mine either. I got done, hit the key, and it fired right up as normal and I drove away. I've done this on all my yota's. I don't advise having the motor running. The fan is quite a nuisance, and it'll fling water all over everything.

Highland Runner

Use high pressure don't worry about it. Everything is waterproof or will dry quickly from engine heat. The distributor is o-ring sealed. The only thing I don't spray directly is the fuse box. I've used a pressure washer on all my Toyotas for years with no problems. Spray the engine bay with tire foam when you're done.

DavidA

I have powerwashed my Toyota engines for years, I take them to the carwash, pop the hood and spray them down. Don't be afraid of them.

ewarnerusa

I always wash my engine bay. I use simple green, let it soak for a few minutes, then spray it off. I have heard of people ruining alternators and stuff, so I stay away from directly spraying that. But other than that, spray away. My engine bay looks as clean as it was when I first drove it home.

dcampen

WD-40 history:
http://www.wd40.com/AboutUs/our_history.html

Maddog

really !!! I must try that