Harry's 81 C3

Is it safe to Power Wash a C5 engine compartment? If safe, what should you cover to keep it from failing to start afterwards? Any suggestions...

red-in-la

I use a spray on engine cleaner on a cold engine. Scrub off with a brush. Hose off then get your leaf blower out. Never had a problem using this regimen.

I reserve the pressure washer for under the car. Connect the PW to the hot water drain of your hot water heater for better cleaning.

Paul G

It is safe if you take few precautions. Dont blast the high pressure spray directly at the electrical conectors, be careful around the decals, etc., the high pressure can damage them.

I warm the engine, not hot, then spray the greasy or really dirty parts with simple green. Some engine cleaners will stain or discolor the aluminum, use caution with them. Give it a few minutes to soak in. If really dirty brush it a little. Wash it all clean and blow dry it with your leaf blower. Towel dry. Should come out very nice.

tommie

is the way I was taught....

Todd157k

After spraying off.. spray some Tire Shine all over everything except the belt and alternator (and pulleys). Do not wipe off, just close the hood and drive around a little. Comes out "car show" perfect.

jbondfl

I think "pressure" is the key word here. I've used the low pressure spray at the local self wash but I don't recommend hi pressure. Low P will get off most dirt/dust/sand without a problem, , , simple green and low P for the rest.

JMHO

jol

Why in the world would you clean the engine? Do you drive with the hood open? Who sees it? You Vette guys are a little compulsive...

31coupe

I am not sure but is that a piece of lint down there by the fan belt. That really is very nice...what do you use to keep it nice looking.

31coupe

Hi Jeff I didn't see who the post came from...Merry Christmas to you and your family. Finally got the air filter system in and works great.

maroman88

cant even see your engine with all those covers on it...

zesstey1

If it's not really bad you can use son of a gun you just spray let dry it looks great and eats quite a bit of dirt. If it's to shinny just wipe with a rag.

Vetteman Jack

If you really need to clean the engine bay, I'd spray on some good engine cleaner then use a low pressure stream of water to hose it off. Then an air compressor or leaf blower to dry the engine bay. Once it is clean, then each time you wash the outside of the car just do a little detailing maintenance under the hood to keep it looking sharp.

Virtual Geezer

This is superb advice!

Too-Fast

A lot of folks use pressure washers to clean engines (I used to) with no ill effects. However I offer an alternative...no water, use purple power, toothbrushes, cloths, a lot of time (17 hours on mine for the initial clean), patience and an engine dressing of your choice, experiment a little to see what results you like with the final dressing. The potential problem with pressure washing is, it can introduce water or moisture into electrical connections and other places where over time (or immediately) will cause problems. If you use hot pressure water you will get condensation where you don't want it and then that will cause problems. The alternate method I described will take longer, but you have no chance of damaging anything (except your knuckles).

MY03C5Z

I just did this the other week, I had just picked my car up last month and although the body and interior are in great condition it didnt look like the original owner ever cleaned under the hood. I first used almost a full gallon of simple green, brushes and a hose on the mist setting. After hosing things down I hit it with compressed air to clean out around the intake manifold and hard to reach areas. Repeated this process several times. When I was finished I used a can of black magic tire shine foam cleaner on just about everything like you said except the belts. Wow, did it come out amazing, everything looks like brand new now, that foam tire cleaner works amazing.

jol

I'm glad it worked out. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

jol

I clean it once a week. Now that someone found lint, the car is going on the C5 For Sale page. Just imagine if others see lint. I could get thrown off the Forum.

Silverbullet00

I'd sell it too if I were you! Absolutely Filthy!