cleaning engine April 16, 2015, 03:30:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152270cleaning engine Is it safe to use the engine cleaning setting at thecar wash to clean the road residue from the ford engine compartment? MEL
Re: cleaning engine Reply #1 – April 16, 2015, 03:43:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152272I wouldn't do that unless you know the chemical they are introducing is harmless to things like wiring and filters. I have used Berrymans B-33 from Walmart, parts cleaning brush, and a hose at the RV dump station to clean motor. High pressure washers typical of a Carwash can cause you problems.Cover air cleaner inlet and electrical parts best you can with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. I would recommend putting some cardboard under motor to collect all the junk and not leave a big mess behind. Hardest part of the job is getting doghouse back on and avoiding spraying water on surrounding carpet.bobmoore14
Re: cleaning engine Reply #2 – April 16, 2015, 04:04:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152273Thank you, Bob. Actually, I only meant to clean the part of the engine that is under the hood of the cab, not under the doghouse. I'm not brave enough to even attempt to remove that cover in the cab, much less try to clean whatever is under it.MELSubject: [LD] Re: cleaning engineI wouldn't do that unless you know the chemical they are introducing is harmless to things like wiring and filters. I have used Berrymans B-33 from Walmart, parts cleaning brush, and a hose at the RV dump station to clean motor. High pressure washers typical of a Carwash can cause you problems. Cover air cleaner inlet and electrical parts best you can with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. I would recommend putting some cardboard under motor to collect all the junk and not leave a big mess behind. Hardest part of the job is getting doghouse back on and avoiding spraying water on surrounding carpet.bobmoore14__._,_._
Re: cleaning engine Reply #3 – April 16, 2015, 04:16:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152274I would just stick to soapy water, or better yet just water. Some chemicals (and steam cleaning) are bad for parts taped together or held in place by automotive gum (a black goo). The chemicals (and steam) make the tape less sticky. The effects are not seen right away but over time. Also the power of the water coming out of the wand could hurt wiring connections and the fins on the radiator.I am in favor of keeping the areas near the oil fill cap, air cleaner, coolant tank and fill cap, break fluid cap clean so if you have to add or change something on the road you do not ruin a nice shirt. That includes cleaning any part that might get said shirt dirty when leaning over the engine to get to the other parts mentioned. Most of that kind of cleaning can be done with a paper towel or old rag.
Re: cleaning engine Reply #4 – April 16, 2015, 04:24:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152275John, I've done pretty much the same thing, thinking that "hosing" down the rest of the engine is asking for problems. Moreover, unless excessive dust, dirt, chemicals, etc. have soiled the engine, is it really necessary to try to clean it? Perhaps the mechanically inclined could answer that question? Here's something I found on line by a mechanic:It is safe... and a good practice to prevent the build up of grease and the dirt/dust that builds on that which can be a fire hazard and insulates the engine reducing its ability to cool by some. I use a degreaser... spray the engine when it is cold with the degreaser and let it work avoiding the intake (air intake to the engine), fuse boxes, alternator, and wiring (usually wrapped on on the firewall, etc). Spray off with a directed stream of water and the after clean fire up the engine to heat it up and cause the water to evaporate off. Good practice I think and I have always done this periodically (once ever few years).Chris
Re: cleaning engine Reply #5 – April 16, 2015, 05:19:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152277"It is safe... and a good practice to prevent the build up of grease and the dirt/dust that builds on that which can be a fire hazard and insulates the engine reducing its ability to cool by some. "Most of the oil, grease and crud ends up on the lower parts of the engine, that's gravity for you. This area has little electrical, the primary victim of overzealous cleaning, to be concerned with. I use Simple Green to keep the upper area clean, making a point of not washing the electrical parts with high pressure water. Gentle hosing is fine. All the Ford electrical plugs and sensors are water resistant but not necessary waterproof. The engine gets wet when driving in rain but this does not subject the electrical plugs and sensor to high pressure spray, which can penetrate an electrical plug's seal.To me, the primary reason to keep the engine bay clean is to make new leaks obvious. Keeping it clean will make your mechanic a little happier too.Larry
Re: cleaning engine Reply #6 – April 16, 2015, 07:52:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152281> Is it safe to use the engine cleaning setting at thecar wash to clean the road residueQuotefrom the ford engine compartment? MELLOL I misread this at first as "clean the Ford residue ... " Another story for another day ;-) If you're gonna wash the engine at the coin op car wash, leave the engine running so the heat helps keep the plugs and wires dry and maybe prevent problems starting it up again after. I like a clean engine. That habit helped me detect a leaky head gasket before it got really bad. If I hadn't been in the habit of washing the engine every time I washed the vehicle, the oil from the far leakier valve cover gasket would have kept me from knowing about it until maybe too late. Then again even finding the engine under all that plastic under the hood on these new fangled vehicles may be more trouble than it's worth.Fu
Re: cleaning engine Reply #7 – April 16, 2015, 08:11:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152283Is it safe to use the engine cleaning setting at thecar wash to clean the road residueQuote Quote > from the ford engine compartment? MELLOL I misread this at first as "clean the Ford residue ... " Another story for another day ;-) If you're gonna wash the engine at the coin op car wash, leave the engine running so the heat helps keep the plugs and wires dry and maybe prevent problems starting it up again after. "I like a clean engine. That habit helped me detect a leaky head gasket before it got really bad. Then again even finding the engine under all that plastic under the hood on these new fangled vehicles may be more trouble than it's worth."FuNew leak detection is a great reason for keeping the engine clean. With the right tools, most engines can be exposed quickly. Many of the plastic covers are held on with plastic clips. Door Panel Clip Removal Tool - Upholstery ToolAfter removal, you still may be mystified by what you find.A clip removal tool is a useful addition the DIY LD owner. The E-series engine's various plastic covers are held with plastic clips that need removal for maintenance. Also a useful tool for pulling the door panels.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: cleaning engine Reply #8 – April 17, 2015, 02:59:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 152298Quote On Apr 16, 2015, at 5:11 PM, [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote:Is it safe to use the engine cleaning setting at thecar wash to clean the road residueQuote > from the ford engine compartment? MELLOL I misread this at first as "clean the Ford residue ... " Another story for another day ;-) If you're gonna wash the engine at the coin op car wash, leave the engine running so the heat helps keep the plugs and wires dry and maybe prevent problems starting it up again after. "I like a clean engine. That habit helped me detect a leaky head gasket before it got really bad. Then again even finding the engine under all that plastic under the hood on these new fangled vehicles may be more trouble than it's worth."FuNew leak detection is a great reason for keeping the engine clean. With the right tools, most engines can be exposed quickly. Many of the plastic covers are held on with plastic clips. Door Panel Clip Removal Tool - Upholstery ToolAfter removal, you still may be mystified by what you find.A clip removal tool is a useful addition the DIY LD owner. The E-series engine's various plastic covers are held with plastic clips that need removal for maintenance. Also a useful tool for pulling the door panels.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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