Do you pressure wash your engine?

[fine69]

My ol’ 440 is a little grisly and I’ve been thinking about just pressure washing it at the local car wash. There’s oil and gunk all over and mouse turds sitting on the valley pan. I’ve only had my charger for a couple years and have never washed it (but yes I still clean it) and the only thing I’ve done under the hood is shine the air cleaner and valve covers.
What are your thoughts on washing engines?

 

[WileE]

Take it out and put it in here

 

[66 Sat]

I wouldn't pressure wash it but it's ok to wash it with soapy water and rinse it off with a normal garden hose. Just keep the water away from the electrics and carburetor obviously.

 

[Don Frelier]

I pulled mine over the summer.
Plugged off the distributor opening and made a piece of lexan and put some wheel bearing grease under it.
My son washed it by hanging it off the tractor bucket.

 

[Cranky]

I'm not a fan of high pressure washing but more like 'low' pressure washing after using a degreaser first....

 

[#41]

Sure... but not too much pressure and stay away from the upper firewall and dizzy. Bring a dry rag to clean out the sparky cap just in case. Soak it with Gunk the day before.

 

[WileE]

I pulled mine over the summer.
Plugged off the distributor opening and made a piece of lexan and put some wheel bearing grease under it.
My son washed it by hanging it off the tractor bucket.
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wow... I was just joking... the only thing you didn't do was drop it in a Maytag

 

[Don Frelier]

If you brush with super clean and hook the washer up to your hot water tank it will come out very well.

 

[Billccm]

I use 30% simple green and cotton towels for the motor and grimey areas. Waterless car wash for the painted body areas.

 

[Ron H]

My brother has pressure washed his motors for years at a self-serve car wash. Says he never had a problem; but avoids the alternator. These have been on newer cars though where the electricals have better enclosed connections as with the top of the motor casing. I’ve done this on my Dakota with my pressure washer after soaking the bay with some Simple Green letting it sit for a while. I’ve only ‘spot’ washed my ’63 with the pressure washer keeping it away from the electricals covering the air cleaner and alt. I’d think with my ’63 getting water on some of those connections like on the FW would have me in a no-start hole for a while.

 

[QOTHL]

And if the Maytag fails, try this:

 

[R413]

Yes I pressure wash them ar the car wash. If you can find one with hot water it helps. Keep the water out of the alternator, starter and bulkhead connector. I wrap the alternator with plastic, or remove it first to clean behind it. I like to change the oil afterwards

Castrol super clean works wonders. Warning, it will eat aluminum and take the color out of spray can paint. But the grime and grease will be gone. I don’t use the foamy type just regular degreaser.

Spray it on and only let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

using Gunk engine cleaner is a waste of time, it just sticks and doesn’t ready do anything compared to super clean.

 

[JimKueneman]

I do mainly because it does not use as much water to drench things. Just stand back and don’t pound on it

 

[DeltaV]

Disassemble, Clean, Reassemble.

 

[fine69]

Disassemble, Clean, Reassemble.

I want to wash it, not rebuild it.

 

[Lefty71]

Low pressure hot water, or even steam. Works wonders.... do it on a warm day when we get some.... it will start right up, especially if you warmed it up before washing it (if possible).

 

[fine69]

Low pressure hot water, or even steam. Works wonders.... do it on a warm day when we get some.... it will start right up, especially if you warmed it up before washing it (if possible).

Thanks. It’ll be a few months yet before I take her out of hibernation but I’m just getting antsy. SK winters are more like ice ages.

 

[dvw]

I've power washed them for years at the local spray wash. A little Dollar store Awesome cleaner sprayed on a warm engine helps. Stay away from the dist cap, alternator and PCM (if it has one). Of course if you build them not to leak and spray them with urethane paint then you just wax them.
Doug

 

[Lefty71]

SK winters are more like ice ages.

I do believe this winter has felt more like a real winter so far in the Midwest too.

 

[moparmarks]

Yup been using a pressure washer for 40 years. All my motors, motor bays and undersides are cleaner than most kitchens.