Quick question on engine/engine bay cleaning

[bob m]

I know most modern cars have engines that are supposed to be shielded from water damage and by that I am referring to a quick hose wash/rinse, not getting stuck in a flood. I'm thinking of cleaning via pressure washer my engine/engine bay. Anyone experience any damage from doing so, is it a safe way to do the job?

[PA DETAILER]

I only use low pressure from a garden hose. Sprinkler attachment. I would not high pressure wash a engine.

[Thomkirby]

I use my pressure washer as the rinse process with a 40-degree or 25-degree tip. I do keep it at least a couple of feet away from the surfaces. Use it with care and never close to any fuse box nor alternator. Use it on my Lexus and a few F150 engine bays. Afterwards start the engine and run to warm up and dry things off.

[UncleDavy]

Low pressure water would be best. I always cover the alternator with a plastic bag.

[Hermes1]

I have only used a garden hose for rinsing. Prior to washing all I cover are a couple of the sensors with aluminum foil. I have not covered the alternator in years.

[BurnsDetailing]

We use our Kranzle PW for engine bay cleaning on all of our used car reconditioning and for detail clients. Never had an issue come of it. PW caps out at 1400 PSI, we only use the 40-degree nozzle and we still keep the gun a few feet away from the engine.

Just check the engine over before cranking for signs of water pooling, like the early 2000s Ford Zetec engines where the ignition coils sat in a U-shaped trench in the valve cover with no way to drain. Wet vac out any standing water, then crank.

Fuse blocks, alternators and underhood electrics in general have come a long way in the last 30 years, as you will notice most modern vehicles barely have an air deflector, let alone a splash guard to seal from water coming from underneath anymore, unless it's a performance car or vehicle with off-road intentions.

[SANTA3013]

I probably go to the extreme but that’s just how I roll. I cover anything that could get water in it. I also remove the battery and clean it up before reinstalling it. I do not use any high pressure water or even a water hose to rinse. I used Purple Power cleaner and an assortment of brushes. I used a hand held pump sprayer bottle with water to rinse everything off. I recently purchased this’08 Tacoma with 413,000 miles from the original owner and this is the before and after pictures. Yes it took several hours but not once was I concerned about water going where it shouldn’t.

[Prange]

I also use a hand-held sprayer. And no harm done by masking.