Ok... i know this question has been asked before, but there have always been a zillion answers that counter eachother.

my question is: is it possible to wash your truck with a regular garden hose? do you need to leave the engine on or turn it off?

what is the proper way to wash your engine with a regular garden hose on your front lawn?

i hope we can put the myths aside and find some raw facts on this..

thanks!

 

I could be way off so correct me if I am wrong BUT...
From what I understand, back in the day when cars had points and distributor caps and wiring that was not connected with snap in connectors as we have today, it was not a good idea to wash a car's engine with water. I think that steam cleaning was the ususal method and that should only be done sparingly.

With today's materials and electronic systems, the problems of corrosion in the wiring system are a thing of the past.

The main thing to worry about is washing a car engine is not doing it while hot, especially with a cast iron exhaust manifold. They can crack when the cold water causes the metal to contract quickly.

I wash my engine when cold with simple green and the garden hose. I am sure that people have differing opinions about this so let's here what other say about it.

 

I hope I can wash it with a regular hose...mine is pretty darn dirty...I would be interested in some more comments too.

Fink

 

I use a small bottle of armour all and douse the engine... let it sit and hose after about 15-20 min. or so. Simple green does a good job too!

 

Whats simple green again?

Fink

 

Washing an engine is not that big a deal.
The biggest problem that washing it causes, is water in the distributer cap. When moisture gets in there, it can make it hard to start. If this happens, take off the cap and dry it, and put it back, some people spray a little alcohol in there to displace the water.
Engines have to be able to get wet, since the bottom of the engine bay is open, and you can drive in the rain. even things like your alternator is waterproof.
I wash my engine, every other time I wash my car. never a problem. I spray pressurized water all over the engine, even on the distributer and the alternator. have for years, never a problem.

As far as a garden hose is concerned, just spray away, avoid spraying directly on the distributor cap, but other than that, it's Ok.

Simple green is a de-greaser that you can buy at walmart or most auto parts stores. They also make the engine de-greasers for caked on stuff.

After you clean it, use the spray tire foam all over your engine, and it will keep it clean and shiney, and it will be easier to clean the next time, and you won't have the buildup of gunk in there.

Have fun!

 

cool, im washin off my motor tomorrow!

I'll do it before i even turn on my truck tomorrow... i'll roll it out of the garage in reverse

 

makes sure you take a before and after pic!!!!!!

 

When I bought my runner a few months back, here is what the engine looked like. BTW, it was a 97 model.

 

that's super clean!!

how?

 

Ahhh, my favorite topic, here is what works for me. Cold engine, spray on the Simple Green http://www.simplegreen.com/ and use a rag or long birstle brush to scrub the tough places. Rinse with the garden hose. If you have access to compressed air, blow it all off. Now, spray on the 303 Aerospace Protectant http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant and use the air again. Works like a champ! Looks like the picture above. The 303 doesn't collect dust and dirt like some of the other products. Most boating stores (West Marine etc.) stock both products.

 

tomstin, do you cover up the alternator with a plastic bad or anything? how about the cruise control and fuse boxes?

 

Everything under the hood is designed to get wet. I don't spray the water throught the alternator or high pressure around the electrical connectors. Let the Simple Green do the work and simply rinse with the hose. It won't hurt to cover the alternator and electrical connectors but I have never take the time to cover anything up.

 

Use CD-2.





More info here:

http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/jnburtman/hoodlight.html

 

[QUOTE=Jason B]Use CD-2.

Jason,

Where do you find CD-2?
I'm in central PA and can't find it anywhere. I've looked at Target, Wal-mart, Pepboys, Advance Auto, Napa...

 

Target should have it. Comes with two cans. That's where I got mine from.

 

Ours doesn't.
I've checked all around, every time I go in there.
Seems odd that one store of a chain would carry it, but another in the same state does not.

hmmm...
i guess I should just order it.

 

I just hosed mine down about 10 minutes ago before I saw this thread.

Hosed it down while it was warm and it's dripping dry right now. I usually wait until most of the electrical is dry before I fire it back up.

 

Washing the engine bay for my 4runenr is gonna be a challenge since i have an open element intake in my engine bay.

 

I wash mine all the time with a pressure washer....use Simple Green first, wash it, then I spray it with tire shine....looks awesome. Like they said, don't worry about it...the newer engines are designed for water.