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presure washing engine safe?

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Old 02 August 2007, 09:49 PM
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rangerblue
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Default presure washing engine safe?

just wandered if its safe to pressure wash the engine as its filth, and what possibly needs needs covering up .
Old 02 August 2007, 10:07 PM
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StuS
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There are probably lots of other things to watch out for, but off the top of my head - cover the intercooler (the fins will/might bend), the alternator, the alarm siren, ..... etc
Old 02 August 2007, 10:23 PM
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rangerblue
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ok cheers for that
Old 02 August 2007, 10:27 PM
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tony95
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give the engine a good going over with degreaser first.then wash.
Old 02 August 2007, 10:31 PM
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D1CCY
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I'd say don't do it as a pressure washer will force water into all sorts of places it shouldn't go. TPS, MAF, all connectors vulnerable just for starters.

I've even heard its not a good idea to pressure wash wheels with high pressure washers as the water can force its way into micro pores in the tyres and damage the structure.
Old 02 August 2007, 10:38 PM
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If you search the forum for 'cleaning engine', or something, you'll probably get the best info. I think that most people use some kind of degreaser and then hose off, using a garden hose rather than a pressure washer, followed by some kind of protective coat to prevent rusting etc. Like I said, try a forum search for some useful info
Old 02 August 2007, 10:58 PM
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dan83590
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Originally Posted by tony95
give the engine a good going over with degreaser first.then wash.
Second that. Only light pressure on the wash. Only enough to rinse.

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Old 03 August 2007, 07:05 AM
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totalllama
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I normally use degreaser with a stiff dish brush then hose off. Works nicely.

Done it twice now and ive dried out my clutch slave cylinder which now creaks when its hot due to lack of grease!!
Old 03 August 2007, 07:49 AM
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Phildodd06
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If you give it a good clean once and keeo on top of it, you shouldnt need to do it again.
Old 03 August 2007, 09:55 AM
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nickwrxstiV2
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D1ccy - You're right, you aren't meant to directly dpray the tyre sidewalls with the jet *** it can damage them.
Old 03 August 2007, 10:48 AM
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lloydster
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i just want to do my red manifold on my sti

will never use a pressure washer as i ended up cracking the manifold on my gsi zafira cuz i left it running why i blasted it.....hold manifold and cold water dont mix

a brush and some gunk for the scooby and little water me thinks
Old 03 August 2007, 11:29 AM
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have a look at the polished bliss guides. great way of doing it. the only difference i do is to have the engine running while i rinse it off and then dry it off with an air gun attached to my compressor. this way it dries out nice and quick. once you've done it go over with some 303 aerospace protectant.

Last edited by V4JDMSTi; 03 August 2007 at 11:40 AM.
Old 03 August 2007, 04:49 PM
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Rich @ PB
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Polished Bliss - Car Care Advice - How to safely clean and protect your engine bay

Old 04 August 2007, 01:29 PM
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markollyh
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Just finished cleaning my engine as per polished bliss guidelines and WOW.

It looks amazing - used a cheap £2.99 degreaser spray and a couple of old rags. Spray, leave 3 minutes, wipe and gently hose off. finished with back to black on plastics/rubber and wax on the paintwork. 20 minutes work and looks stunning.
Old 04 August 2007, 01:32 PM
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SwissTony
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see here as well, took me ages

https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...-cleaning.html

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