[Bill S]

want to wash my 900SE (turbo) engine. car wash? engine hot or cold? anything that I should not get wet? (my preV Saab tech in Vegas said he didnt like to wash them b-cause it could "cause problems". Comments?

 

[DougR]

You want to make sure that you cover anything electrical, thats all I can think of ATM, but I am sure someone else will have a better answer.

As far as it causing problems, it can, especially with steam cleaning. Often times this can ruin the lubrication of the pulley's and lead to premature death of the bearing.

 

[JMarkert]

I would say engine just a little warm, you don't want to crack anything. This means the car wash is probably out. Simple green and/or engine degreaser work well. Avoid getting too much soap on rubber parts and the belts too. Most stuff is reasonably waterproof, but don't spray the alternator and electrical connections directly. Some splashing is OK.

While you're there, remove the grill and spray the bugs off the a/c condensor.

 

[danthegolfer]

when i worked with my friend detailing cars (At a real shop) we would spray soap onto the engine and the pressure wash it. i mean dont turn it on full blast and get right up next to it, but you dont need to particularly COVER anything unless you plan on submerging it in water or something.

so basically, just spray it... and dont have the engine HOT, it might crack somehting. id if you can put your finger on the engine for a few seconds without burning it, then your OK to start sprayin.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

I have power jetted the engine on the Swiftmobile, with care, without problems. However, a proper steam clean is recommended.

HTH

 

[largo77]

I washed the engine and it lead to the temperature needle fluctuating heavily. I had to clean the connectors and I have since made a vow not to use the water hose on the engine again. It also have to be said that I used cold water on a hot engine, which I since have learned is a bad idea. I haven't experienced any problems relating to that error though.

 

[earthworm]

copied .................As far as it causing problems, it can, especially with steam cleaning. Often times this can ruin the lubrication of the pulley's and lead to premature death of the bearing.

Yes ! A good point, a man must be careful.., particularly with high pressure.

We used to wash engines, vinyl seats, and the whole car with just a garden hose - problems sometimes with moisture inside the distributer cap or at connections.
This reveals that the cap needs replaced with one that seals better in many cases.. also a connection that was not 100% in the first place...

 

[JSkillz314]

i could see somethin cracking if you run the engine hot and wash it with cold water