i have washed my engine before with Simple Green and a garden hose and someone told me that was a bad idea. anyone want to confirm this? should the engine be running when i hose it down or doesn't matter? should i keep water away from the alternator? i strap a plastic bag over the cone filter of the K&N when i washed it in the past.

 

let the motor cool off completely....... wrap the alternator, even around the plugs, etc........all electrical.....

personally I prefer not to wash down while its still warm.......though it helps clean.....

but definitely wrap the alternator up good

 

i personaly don't know the correct way but i allways use simple green and have it running while i rinse it off. it worked for me but hell i don't know.

 

I don't wrap anything up, just spray degreaser all over it and hose it off. The reason you should let it cool down though, is so you don't damage the heads or block. Hot engine plus cold water = <img border="0" alt="[bomb]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bomb.gif" /> I know it is not very likely, but better safe than sorry.

 

Um, I wouldn't leave it running to rinse it off. Water on electrical current = bad news. Honestly though mostly everything under the hood electrical seems to be well loomed and covered. I think the only reason someone would have the engine running while they rinsed the area off is because the belt fan is blowing away the water.

 

i guess i will keep doing what i have been always doing: cold engine off, simple green, cover alt and filter, and hose.
thanks guys <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

Here is what I do, and my engine looks as new as the day I bought it. First, I don't wash the truck first. After I drive it up to normal temps, I let it cool for 2 hours, then I spray degreaser on it, let it soak for about 20 min and rinse off with water. Then I drive it around to get it dry, then "LIGHTLY" mist the engine bay with Armor All, making sure not to get much on the belts. Then I wash the truck after the engine is done. I don't wrap anything, and have never had a problem.

Greg

<small>[ April 18, 2003, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Fast4.8 ]</small>

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fast4.8:
<strong> Here is what I do, and my engine looks as new as the day I bought it. First, I don't wash the truck first. After I drive it up to normal temps, I let it cool for 2 hours, then I spray degreaser on it, let it soak for about 20 min and rinse off with water. Then I drive it around to get it dry, then "LIGHTLY" mist the engine bay with Armor All, making sure not to get much on the belts. Then I wash the truck after the engine is done. I don't wrap anything, and have never had a problem.

Greg </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">why do you drive it a 2nd time to get it dirty? what is the purpose of the armor all? do you let the armor all sit or do you wipe/hose it off?

 

I drive it a second time to warm it back up to dry and so any standing water gets moved around. I mist it with Armour All to keep it looking good. And yes I do wipe it down after I let it sit for a minute or two. Then I close the hood and wash the rest of it because that Armour All over spray gets everywhere.

Greg

 

thanks Greg <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />