Can we really wash the engine? Let’s see if and when it’s really allowed to do it and the mistakes to avoid.
Washing a car engine is an operation that is no longer required in modern cars, except in exceptional cases. Knowing how to clean an engine is essential to avoid damaging the most fragile parts. But now let’s see how often you can wash the engine with the most useful advice and mistakes not to be made.
Where is it possible to wash the engine
Modern cars are definitely much better protected than in years past, so flushing the engine is helpful only in certain situations.
The problem is the incorrect knowledge of how to flush an engine the right way and even just one presence of dust on the air filter can lead to catastrophic errors with the pressure washer.
Many areas of do-it-yourself car wash they explicitly forbid the washing of car engines and indicate where it is allowed. The main reason is that grease residues can contaminate the water if the treatment system is not equipped with special separation filters. Therefore, we recommend that you first find out if this is allowed or contact a car wash that offers this service.
When you need to wash the engine
Dust is definitely not a good reason to use apressure washer in the engine. In addition to the legal and environmental aspects, the health of the engine is also at stake. If, on the other hand, too much oil or dust has accumulated and the cause of the leak cannot be determined, then in this case it is necessary to flush the engine. Or it could also be recommended in case of a rat-infested engine.
Otherwise, in other cases, a simple cleaning of the engine compartment is recommended:
– to remove dust with compressed air and a damp cloth without wetting the engine;
– to remove sand and salt in winter or summer with a pressure washer.
How can we flush an engine without causing damage
If you’re going to deep clean the engine with a high pressure washer, you need to be very careful how you wash the motor and which motor is more sensitive and consequently to be protected. Before thinking about the fastest way to clean the engine, you need to consider the fact that water and electricity are not a great match not even for cars.
In the initial phaseanything connected to electrical wires should be covered with plastic bags and electrical tape. Especially: the fuses, the battery, the alternator, the engine control unit, the mass air flow meter and the climate control compressor.
Can we use steam instead?
The answer is no! Because the steam would dissolve the grease deposits, allowing droplets to penetrate the connectors, initiating oxidation of the contacts.
As far as the use of the high pressure cleaner is concerned, the answer is “ni”. Because strong pressure could damage the plastic sleeves and aluminum pipes of the climatic compressors. While a gentle spray of water, a rag, scrub brushes and elbow grease is certainly a better solution.
Also, avoid anything harsh on metal rust removers, don’t use too much, and follow directions exactly, especially regarding how long the cleaner stays before rinsing. Finally, dry the engine with compressed air to eliminate stagnation.
