Power wash engine bay....any tips or advice, or a write up on how to do it properly and safly?
06-09-2007, 08:00 AM
#2
AudiWorld Expert
Make sure the engnie is very warm - stay away from electrical items - like the coil packs if you
have a 1.8T
Also be careful of you air intakes.
Also be careful of you air intakes.
06-09-2007, 08:07 AM
#3
warm not very warm... you dont want to crack anything
have a warm engine (ok to touch) spray engine cleaner onto the areas to be cleaned (if the stuff evaporates its to hot) let sit for some minutes wash off
06-09-2007, 08:13 AM
#4
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don't use a pressure washer!!!
read this.
"Remove the sprayer end from the hose so it is running at about 25% of full. No spray and no hi-pressure. The easiest way to get water where it doesn't belong is with hi-pressure."<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/detail/msgs/34211.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/detail/msgs/34211.phtml</a</li></ul>
"Remove the sprayer end from the hose so it is running at about 25% of full. No spray and no hi-pressure. The easiest way to get water where it doesn't belong is with hi-pressure."<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/detail/msgs/34211.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/detail/msgs/34211.phtml</a</li></ul>
06-09-2007, 08:52 AM
#6
AudiWorld Uber User
right. That's about what I did with Simple Green and a garden hose. Also avoid the alternator
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/42525/engine3.jpg"></center><p>No before pic, just the after. This is at 193k miles or so, but the engine bay wasn't exactly bad before. Most noticeable difference is around the intake manifold. Cleaned the hand prints off the manifold and cleaned the grit out from around the injectors. Don't be afraid of the coilpacks, either. I went over them with the garden hose without incident. I think I only ran the engine for 5 minutes at idle to warm it up.
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06-09-2007, 09:52 AM
#10
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You CAN definitly do it cold. No reason why you couldn't.....
It's just that the warmer temperature of the metal helps to loosen some of the thicker "gunk". Makes it a bit easier. Think about it, do you wash your dishes or clothes in cold water...most likely not, because the warm water helps dissolve contaminants. Same theory applies.
I've also been told to let the engine run, with the hood up when finished to accelerate dry times. If you can bring the temperature up slowly, the excess water will just evaporate.
The key is NOT to let cold water come into contact with hot metal, such as the block or exhaust manifold, as the extreme temperature difference could cause the metal to crack.
It's really a pretty simple process. Water + electrical things + air filter + hot metal = don't mix. Abide by those guidelines and you'll be fine.
Good luck!
I've also been told to let the engine run, with the hood up when finished to accelerate dry times. If you can bring the temperature up slowly, the excess water will just evaporate.
The key is NOT to let cold water come into contact with hot metal, such as the block or exhaust manifold, as the extreme temperature difference could cause the metal to crack.
It's really a pretty simple process. Water + electrical things + air filter + hot metal = don't mix. Abide by those guidelines and you'll be fine.
Good luck!