motor power washing

SCVJeff wrote:
There are pressure washers and PRESSURE washers. I too wouldn't put a 4000psi gas washer nozzle on the engine, but an 1800psi with a fan head on it delivers less water with less force than a garden hose with or without a nozzle on it. On an 1800 psi device you can easily put your hand in the fan spray 12" out of the nozzle (not closer). Try that with any garden hose sprayer and feel the difference in both pressure and volume.

Yes, everything in an engine compartment is waterproof, or potted. What do you think a service center does with a dirty OTR truck before working on it? Back in the "old days" we would go to the self service car washes and de-grease the engine and front suspensions before starting to work on them. There would be a pile of crud when we left and the owners started asking us to wash it down after we were done. Common sense should be the key here, I would be very mindful of the aluminum coolers then anything on the engine. Remember, these things are exposed to water all the time.

There are pressure washers and PRESSURE washers. I too wouldn't put a 4000psi gas washer nozzle on the engine, but an 1800psi with a fan head on it delivers less water with less force than a garden hose with or without a nozzle on it. On an 1800 psi device you can easily put your hand in the fan spray 12" out of the nozzle (not closer). Try that with any garden hose sprayer and feel the difference in both pressure and volume.

As mentioned use "Simple Green Extreme" not regular simple green. The regular stuff is corrosive to aluminum, and could cause radiator and charge cooler leaks.
Blessings Keith























































Green Extreme

Count me in as one who periodically cleans and washes the engine bay. I use a degreaser (Awesome from the Dollar Store) followed by a spray with a garden hose. I usually attach the hose to a faucet in my wet bay and wash it down with hot water. I have never had an issue and the engine and bay is pretty clean. I think you are more likely to spot an oil leak, coolant leak, if things are clean.

I, too, like to keep the engine clean. All I've had to do so far is just a light hose rinse to remove dust. The Volvo engine is still that nice pretty bluish-green color at 34,000 miles.

The Liberty Service Manager told me it was OK to rinse the engine off but keep water away from the four alternators.

I've used Simple Green on the Honda engine and then rinsed it with a garden hose. It really surprise me how easy it was with no elbow grease involved.

MM.

wolfe10 wrote:

Simple Green EXTREME fits that description-- it was developed for degreasing aluminum aircraft. One gallon should last you the life of the coach.

Simple Green has been mentioned several times.
It is a good product for things like this IF used as directed.
In higher concentrations it can be down right nasty. Think paint remover.

Two Jayhawks wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

tdgulfstream wrote:
(not anal but like to keep
it looking decent),

Ahem. Engines do not need to be clean for any other reason.
Really.

You likely will do more damage than good.

If it is mostly dust, blow it off with compressed air and then close the hood and don't worry about it.

I respectfully disagree, it is beneficial to keep your engine/engine room clean and free of anything flammable. Greasy, oily, engine grime can absolutely pose a safety risk. Count me as one that sprays with simple green and rinses with low pressure.

To each his own.

But if you have dirt sticking to grease or oil on your engine, it would be better to spend your time and money finding out what is leaking and fixing it than washing away the evidence.

I respect your desire to keep the eng compartment clean.
You can safely clean it with very low pressure. Don't use a high powered pressure washer.
Either use it on the lowest pressure or clean the eng up with something like Grease lightening or simple Green and just rinse it off. You'll be amazed at how well that works.

On ANY electronic engine, I would not use a pressure washer-- just too many electrical connections. Sure, most are water-RESISTANT. Water-resistant does not necessarily mean water-proof to high PSI pressure washers.

Safest is to buy a can of WD-40 and a roll of paper towels and clean it by hand. Also a good opportunity to check over hoses, belts, etc.

And, more important with a rear radiator (if that is what your coach has) is cleaning the FRONT of the CAC(Charge Air Cooler). Most CAC's are aluminum, so an aluminum-friendly degreaser is highly recommended.

Simple Green EXTREME fits that description-- it was developed for degreasing aluminum aircraft. One gallon should last you the life of the coach.

Sam Spade wrote:

tdgulfstream wrote:
(not anal but like to keep
it looking decent),

Ahem. Engines do not need to be clean for any other reason.
Really.

You likely will do more damage than good.

If it is mostly dust, blow it off with compressed air and then close the hood and don't worry about it.

I respectfully disagree, it is beneficial to keep your engine/engine room clean and free of anything flammable. Greasy, oily, engine grime can absolutely pose a safety risk. Count me as one that sprays with simple green and rinses with low pressure.