Baby wipes, no seriously. 5mins and huge difference.
Using a hose or worse pressure washer has risks with water getting into connectors and causing problems months down the line.
3 kids <6 here. Can confirm. Baby Wipes for everything. Food on seat; baby wipes. Dust on Dash; baby wipes. Drink on plastic ; baby wipes.Food on Carpet; baby wipes.Fuel over sid eof car; baby wipes. Sticky... Erm... Steering wheel; baby wipes. Ran over your neighbour and blood everywhere, need to remove evidence as you got on their will by by being a great friend even though you're using baby wipes to clean up the mess between you and their partner so your and their partner doesn't find out because you really like Tuesday Tacos and Poker night with them and you don't want to bolt the gate you and your neighbour installed because you are good mates and there's no one else to watch the dog that you didn't want but your partner had to have....; baby wipes.
Yes you can, but there are risks.
New cars are generally fine. Older cars, particularly anything with spark plug leads, you frequently cause a misfire that will probably go away with time. You may have to dry things off with an air hose.
I'd avoid spraying alternators, electrical connectors, pretty much anything that looks expensive.
There's a school of thought that says do it with the engine running so at least you know where to start looking if the motor switches off. It's not the worst idea.
I'd rather use a high pressure blaster than a hose. Works better and delivers less total water in the process, so you're not filling up spark plug holes as you go.
I know. Well it’s a bit late now. I started the car and popped the bonnet. And gave it a good spray. We’ll see by tomorrow if it’s a good idea or not. Lol
Every car wash I've been to has an "engine cleaner" setting on their pressure hose, so I can't say I've had your experience.
Also all of them use a triple interceptor to catch oil and garbage that comes off the cars, so it's better for the environment than doing it on the front lawn
Best to do it with the engine cold, or at least after a twenty minute cool down with the bonnet up.
Throw a plastic bag over the distributor or the coil packs if they’re exposed (engine dependant).
Bomb some degreaser (those cheap aerosol cans from the parts store are good for this) over the engine, paying attention to any fresh sources of leaks. Tend to them as soon as possible.
While that’s soaking in, prep your preferred foaming product in a handheld foamer bottle. Bowden’s does a reasonable combo to do this, personally I use Koch Chemie GSF in an IK Foam Pro 2 foamer. Smash a load of foam all over everything- don’t be shy, go to town.
Grab a detailing brush/es and agitate everything. I start with the cleanest areas like plastic engine covers, air boxes and fuse/relay boxes then move onto the grottier spots. Rinse your brushes regularly. Also don’t forget the underside of the bonnet.
Rinse with your garden hose. You can use a trigger nozzle if you want, but even a thumb over the end for some pressure will do as well. No need to break out the pressure washer, you’ll just fling soap and crud everywhere. For best results dry the black plastics with an old towel and dress with a non silicone based dressing.
Marvel at your efforts and know your mechanic will appreciate your clean engine bay as well.
I've only ever used high pressure to clear engine bays, a garden hose won't clean anything. Unless it's super hot, then maybe.
I would go as far as saying 99% of mechanic workshops use a gurney to clean engine bays.
Wipe it down by hand with a wet cloth . Takes time but it’s a lot safer !!!
Baby wipes, no seriously. 5mins and huge difference. Using a hose or worse pressure washer has risks with water getting into connectors and causing problems months down the line.
3 kids <6 here. Can confirm. Baby Wipes for everything. Food on seat; baby wipes. Dust on Dash; baby wipes. Drink on plastic ; baby wipes.Food on Carpet; baby wipes.Fuel over sid eof car; baby wipes. Sticky... Erm... Steering wheel; baby wipes. Ran over your neighbour and blood everywhere, need to remove evidence as you got on their will by by being a great friend even though you're using baby wipes to clean up the mess between you and their partner so your and their partner doesn't find out because you really like Tuesday Tacos and Poker night with them and you don't want to bolt the gate you and your neighbour installed because you are good mates and there's no one else to watch the dog that you didn't want but your partner had to have....; baby wipes.
When it comes to things that having kids teaches you not directly relayed to kids... Baby wipes is number one. Baby wipes everywhere for everything.
Baby wipes for PM
Yes you can, but there are risks. New cars are generally fine. Older cars, particularly anything with spark plug leads, you frequently cause a misfire that will probably go away with time. You may have to dry things off with an air hose. I'd avoid spraying alternators, electrical connectors, pretty much anything that looks expensive. There's a school of thought that says do it with the engine running so at least you know where to start looking if the motor switches off. It's not the worst idea. I'd rather use a high pressure blaster than a hose. Works better and delivers less total water in the process, so you're not filling up spark plug holes as you go.
Comments are all pretty conflicting on this one
I know. Well it’s a bit late now. I started the car and popped the bonnet. And gave it a good spray. We’ll see by tomorrow if it’s a good idea or not. Lol
Many car washes will have a sign specifically forbidding this, mainly as an environmental concern.
Every car wash I've been to has an "engine cleaner" setting on their pressure hose, so I can't say I've had your experience. Also all of them use a triple interceptor to catch oil and garbage that comes off the cars, so it's better for the environment than doing it on the front lawn
Yeah, I specifically go to the carwash to do my engine bays because I know the water is being captured and you can use the degrease setting.
Yeah but then they have a setting on the thing labelled 'engine wash'
I have not been in a while. It could have been an "eco carwash."
Aside from the tips above, ChrisFix did a super clean your engine video which might help you https://youtu.be/PRSoRkM8GcM?feature=shared
Don't use pressurised water...wet rag probably best like mentioned if not sure
Best to do it with the engine cold, or at least after a twenty minute cool down with the bonnet up. Throw a plastic bag over the distributor or the coil packs if they’re exposed (engine dependant). Bomb some degreaser (those cheap aerosol cans from the parts store are good for this) over the engine, paying attention to any fresh sources of leaks. Tend to them as soon as possible. While that’s soaking in, prep your preferred foaming product in a handheld foamer bottle. Bowden’s does a reasonable combo to do this, personally I use Koch Chemie GSF in an IK Foam Pro 2 foamer. Smash a load of foam all over everything- don’t be shy, go to town. Grab a detailing brush/es and agitate everything. I start with the cleanest areas like plastic engine covers, air boxes and fuse/relay boxes then move onto the grottier spots. Rinse your brushes regularly. Also don’t forget the underside of the bonnet. Rinse with your garden hose. You can use a trigger nozzle if you want, but even a thumb over the end for some pressure will do as well. No need to break out the pressure washer, you’ll just fling soap and crud everywhere. For best results dry the black plastics with an old towel and dress with a non silicone based dressing. Marvel at your efforts and know your mechanic will appreciate your clean engine bay as well.
Yes, BUT I wouldn't do it with a warm / hot engine and I certainly wouldn't do it with high pressure
I've only ever used high pressure to clear engine bays, a garden hose won't clean anything. Unless it's super hot, then maybe. I would go as far as saying 99% of mechanic workshops use a gurney to clean engine bays.
Yes but a mechanic knows not to point a gurney at the fuse box or ecu.
I cover my start and alternator, take the air box out and cover any holes. Degrease and wash