posted on May 21, 2001 05:08:03 PM new
Can this safely be done? Should I take it someplace and have it done?
I'm asking because we are selling a truck that is god awful dusty under the hood. I think a nice spritz up job would fetch me a better price. My DH thinks he can just hook the hose up to the pressure washer, but I don't know... sounds risky to me...
posted on May 21, 2001 05:14:04 PM new
I usually take them to the local self service car wash. Most of them have the engine cleaner cycle, depending on where you live. I wouldn't recommend any chemical treatments. Older cars are prone to electrical damage and hose damage with strong cleaners. Also they will soften engine gaskets. Car wash pressure and engine cleaner setting will do no harm, to weak.
posted on May 21, 2001 05:26:07 PM new
Go ahead. Yopu'll have a better result if you let it soak a while with one of the Gunk type products before pressure washing it. WD-40 is the best degreaser I've ever known, and if you spray your engine liberally with it and let it sit, the result will be fabulous. If the engine won't start afterwards spray inside the distributor cap, and all ignition connections, again with WD-40.
Many buyers view a clean engine as a coverup of oil leaks. A good sign is a dusty engine compartment with little or no sign of oil. That means it didn't leak and you didn't try to hide anything by sprucing up in there.
posted on May 21, 2001 05:52:58 PM new
No problem....I do it once or twice a year on all my equipment as part of regular maintenance....
I always do it with the engine off and I recommend bagging the alternator and distributor on gasoline engines and avoid spraying into air inlets for the carb/efi...
I use a water based product from Hotsy called Ripper for my farm equipment....very effective at about 140 degrees and 1000-1500 psi...no pre-treatment necessary. Care is advised if using near painted surfaces on autos as excessive exposure can damage paint. I use Carbonate from the same supplier for my autos...
Alternatively, pre-treaments like Gunk do work and are easily and cheaply obtained...
Personally, I consider a clean engine compartment a sign of good maintenance practices...
