Engine pressure wash do and don'ts
#1
10-19-2007, 01:15 PM
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Engine pressure wash do and don'ts
I just got my Ram 1500 5.9L. I love the truck and make a new project for it every weekend. i really want to clean up the motor to make it look good and easier to work on. The valve covers need to be cleaned--mostly near the PCV valve. Is this because the valve is bad? I also want to clean up the valley where the injectors are. Does anyone have advice on how to pressure wash an engine properly. What don't I want to get wet?
#2
10-19-2007, 02:45 PM
RE: Engine pressure wash do and don'ts
First of all you don't want to pressure wash it. This is how I do it.
Get a shop vac if needed and vacuum out the areas that have leaves or heavy dirt that you can break up and have sucked out.
Next get a bottle of Purple Power and dilute it some in a spray bottle. To do this correctly you will need a couple toothbrushes and a little larger brush and some low pressure flowing water from a hose.
Spray, wash and rinse small areas at a time, starting high and working down. I started with the underside of the hood. When it's ALLL clean (if you do it right you'll have to go over some areas again and it should take you a few hours) then spray everything with STP foam tire shine, you know the one Richard Petty indorses.
Look at the pics of my engine in my gallery. Mine started as nasty as could be.
Get a shop vac if needed and vacuum out the areas that have leaves or heavy dirt that you can break up and have sucked out.
Next get a bottle of Purple Power and dilute it some in a spray bottle. To do this correctly you will need a couple toothbrushes and a little larger brush and some low pressure flowing water from a hose.
Spray, wash and rinse small areas at a time, starting high and working down. I started with the underside of the hood. When it's ALLL clean (if you do it right you'll have to go over some areas again and it should take you a few hours) then spray everything with STP foam tire shine, you know the one Richard Petty indorses.
Look at the pics of my engine in my gallery. Mine started as nasty as could be.
#3
10-19-2007, 08:11 PM
RE: Engine pressure wash do and don'ts
i wash mine at the car wash all the time. i use the engine cleaner/degreaser setting, which is low pressure. then i use the higher pressure soap and rinse, but i keep the nozzle pretty far off the engine (3-4 ft back), so as not to damage anything. i wash the underside of the motor/trans, etc too. its never hurt it yet and its always started right up.
#4
10-19-2007, 09:22 PM
RE: Engine pressure wash do and don'ts
Pressure washing is fine if you are careful.
What I do is when engine is cold I vacuum up and loose stuff (leave etc) like what was said above.
Drive to the car wash to get everything warmed up.
Spray down the whole engine compartment with engine cleaner (gunk etc)
Avoid spraying any electrical connections and pcm directly. Watch the exhaust too if your truck is screaming hot.
I close the hood and let it soak while I scrub down the exterior of the truck
Then I pressure wash the engine and surrounding area. try to avoid blasting the distributor throttle body andsensor connections, just give them a quick spray. The rest you can pretty much go crazy on.
What I do is when engine is cold I vacuum up and loose stuff (leave etc) like what was said above.
Drive to the car wash to get everything warmed up.
Spray down the whole engine compartment with engine cleaner (gunk etc)
Avoid spraying any electrical connections and pcm directly. Watch the exhaust too if your truck is screaming hot.
I close the hood and let it soak while I scrub down the exterior of the truck
Then I pressure wash the engine and surrounding area. try to avoid blasting the distributor throttle body andsensor connections, just give them a quick spray. The rest you can pretty much go crazy on.