As i was putting some "go juice" in my motor today I noticed a guy jet washing his car, but he had the bonnet up and was using the jet wash in his engine bay (it was a Mk 3 fiesta). 2 things concerned me, 1. surely some stuff isn't fully water tight (obviously to a degree but with that much water??) and 2. the pressure of the water (he was using it up close) surely that isn't good and could dislodge some parts.

Am I being stupid in thinking this is not right? Has anyone done this under the bonnet of their scoob?

Howie

 

havent done it, i have sen it done to cars with distributor caps and stuff and the car always breaks down or wont start again

 

Yeah, I've done it ... very successfully too!!

Buy some Engine Cleaner from the £1 shop ..... 4 cans is enough for a thorough job = £4!!

Cover the alarm and avoid the Intercooler.

Warm engine

Spray all over and brush into stubborn areas

Start car again and idle

Allow to work for about 2 minutes

Jet wash engine - carefully

Leave engine running!!!!

Close bonnet and allow to steam clean itself

Its the best £4 you will ever spend ... especially when selling, it adds £100's to the value!

Pete

 

Mk3 fiesta.... he wont be going anywhere without a can of WD-40 then


Impreza seems to be fine though, done it enough times on mine without worry.

Andy

 

I agree with Pete

 

Some useful advice Pete (We @ Scoobynet can always rely on you), I just know if i tried things would go .

I didn't hang around to see what happend to the fiesta driver though - i'll have a look i nthe morn to see if it's still there.

 

Why not spray water on the intercooler???

 

If you have one of the Pre 2001 cars with the intercooler fins made of paper, be very careful as a pressure washer can bend them.

Also STI engines with red manifolds, the pressure washer easily blows the paint off.

Lot safer to use CD2/Gunk/Jizer etc and a hosepipe at home.

 

Cover your induction kit if this applies...

Joe.....

 

mr lewis is correct..done it loads of times.

Made a cover out of cardboard for the intercooler
covered the induction kit in plastic bag (dont start the engine with it still on !! )
covered the alarm, the alternator and a few other electrical bits in cling film.

spray on the stuff, wait. scrub real tough bits with a brush (not wire)
then hose down.
Wipe up any excess water.
take off all the coverings. run engine for 15 mins to warm it up again.
if you have a detailer then cover the bits again, whack that on. take off the coverings, run egine again with either bonnet up or down. then mop up any excess stuff. go for a nice 20 min drive to seal it all, stand back and admire.

after all that you can from this



to this

 

i used the 2-cd cleaner, spray on wash off, then spray on this other stuff.

This:


To This:


I know there still lots of work to do but it a big improvment!!!

 

a lot of people are wondering where you can buy the cd2 stuff, as halfords dont stock it any longer.


anyone???

 

i got mine from halfrods 3days ago :/

 

ok, i might have to edit that.
halfords in the blooming south dont stock it.

they still stock it up in scotland cos all you nutters drink the stuff

not hijacking the thread (honest), but crow did you sort out the rusty bits yet?

 

I still wouldn't jet wash it! After its been coated in engine cleaner carefully rinse it with a hose!

Of course the best way is to steam clean it..

 

Jet wash an engine, no way your asking for trouble.

The end result is mass corrosion, as your stripping the parts of it's valuable protection.

Anyone who does probably finishes with that sticky shiny sh$t

NO NO NO

 

I jet wash mine every year with the karcher Hot jet washer and some high concentrate truck wash.

No corrosion, no missfires, no failures of any sort, and no bent intercooler fins

Add a quick spray with some silicone spray on the rubber hoses for some extra bling.

YES YES YES

 

anyone got any pics of their engines with alternator, i\c etc covered prior to cleaning?

 

SwissTony: not yet, iv got sum stuff for it, but working today (on lunch now) n its bk to raining so dont think ill get any done 2nite need to build myself a gaurage!!!!! ill take pics n make a new post for the rust when i get round to it.

trails: edit i talking crap agin!

 

you dont need pics. just cut out a piece of strong cardboard to fit the size of the intercooler (so it sits down in the recessed bit) and just use cling film wrapped around the alternator

 

thanks tony

 

i've cleaned loads of engines with my jet wash. like has been said before. cover up alarm etc. you will be fine. i have never had any problems.

G

 

Yeah, sure you might wash protection off parts, but when the engine looks oily and gritty what's the point of a bit of corrosion protection.

I just think when you start you can't stop, especially after winter and all that salt!

I wouldn't dream of not washing the engine and I always use the pressure washer, just don't have the nozzle on blast...

...and be careful where you point it! (My mamma always use to tell me that!)

Never done me any harm!

 

AS we are living with a hose pipe ban, I consider the jet wash question irrelivatant!

However, to answer your question, yes! Jet washing your engine is a generally bad idea!