Engine codes after engine wash - How to wash?

[Kidoo]

I washed my engine the other day and got a few codes on start up then it stayed on for a while on the road, then down to two codes for VGT and EGR. I disconnected the wires, cleaned and reconnected, it seems ok now and hope it stays ok, a scary moment!

Now, anyone has an idea on how to wash the engine and not disturb the wires?

Reason I cleaned it is that I went to Quartzite this winter and the engine got very dirty with sand and snow/salt on the way back to North Pôle...

Is there a way to protect this area, I was thinking at some sort of screen each side and below of the engine.

[wa8yxm]

High pressure (like 125-150 PSI Air might work.

Do not know.. never had that problem.

[RayChez]

I always keep my Caterpillar 3126-E (electronic engine) washed up and looking new. I spray everything with Simple Green, let it set for about five minutes. I do this through the bed box. Then I got this electric power washer and I wash it with a fine spray. At the same time I wash the CAC and the radiator real good. Has never given me any problems and I got the all electronic engine put out by Cat. As a matter of fact I even run the engine while the spray is hitting the engine. The fan pushes the liquid through the radiator and CAC cleaning it real good.

We had employees on the railroad that would wash the engines on refrigerator cars with real high pressure hotsy pressure washers. They would spray the engines with Lix and then pressure wash them. Did not hurt the engines at all.

[Kidoo]

Maybe I should very carefully wash it once, then rust proof all the part cause we almost allways go south in January with salt on the road, then forget about it.

[obgraham]

At times I too have felt the need to wash off some of the grime under the hood. Just because.

I've used a garden sprayer. Gets in where I want it and is controllable. Simple Green the first time, water the next.

[wolfe10]

I sure would not use aluminum foil to cover things like the alternator. It would short it out!

I would not suggest washing a modern electronic engine-- gas or diesel. Yes, if road salt on it, GENTLY rinse the bottom of it.

[Kidoo]

I saw a guy on youtube covering electrical components with aluminum foil, seems to work good. Next time I will try to cover everything electrical, I was a bit scared, hope nothing got rusted and become an intermittent problem.

[Pirate1]

Funny thing, I washed the engine in my Dogde Grand Caravan. After that, the stinking horn would blast at random whenever, running or not. I am more careful when washing engines.

[azrving]

Try to not blast it if possible. Maybe a little Gunk engine brite here or there and then a carefully directed garden hose. I have power washed equipment and used various sized plastic bags to tape around critical parts. It's not good to power wash engines in general but I understand where you are coming from. Try to stay away from the alternator, power center, sensors, etc. It's hard to do with todays vehicles.