Should You Wash Your Engine? (no!)

[bronsin]

Here is a picture of the wifes 05 Camry with 125k on it. Washing the engine often leads to PROBLEMS like not starting. Can be difficult to fix!

Clean as a whistle!

[tmontague]

I only go as far as taking a wet soapy sponge and scrubbing the salt off of what I can after the alternator and battery have been covered with a plastic bag.

Then I wipe the soap down with a dry sponge.

Only do that after the winter. I personally would never spray the engine bay, too many electrical connectors now a days an those are a bitch to trace down problems from.

An engine will never be spot less if used as a DD. Although I find painted engine blocks cling to dirt less. If I ever have my engine out it'll get painted just like my valve cover. Keeps it much more clean then the rough porous metal

[Kalispel]

Before I knew any better, I soaked the engine of my 2000 Accord in engine cleaner/greaser and heavily sprayed it down with the hose (including alternator) quite a few times (with engine running), without covering anything. I never had any problems, and when I sold the car at nearly 200K miles, it still had the original alternator in it. I guess I was lucky, lol.

Now, I gently wipe/swab the engine bay of my Yaris monthly with a damp cloth and such to keep "build-up" from ever occurring.

[Exiwolfman]

power-wash with no problems all the time just use ur head cover critical areas.

[aspro]

I oil spray my car every year, i throw the guy an extra $20 and tell him to double the oil lol. I do a lot of driving in salt and snow and dirt regualrily so i need the oil to stay on the car at all times. Hence why i never clean my engine bay. Its got a permanent barrier of protection that consists of dirt, oil and some road grime haha. No rust, havent had to change a single part under the hood and im at 110k of hard, abusive city and offroad driving. Plus, i like my engines like i like my women.... Slow and dirty! Bahahaa

[WeeYari]

^ Minus OEM battery, brace, valve cover, manifold and intake, it looks EXACTLY like mine. Well, maybe yours is slightly cleaner due to 5 years less road time.

A quote from back in 2009 after a post showing my engine bay was put up...

Originally Posted by AND189

frig your bay is dirty mate hit that with some drgreaser and a fire hose

Meh

[NYC-SE]

I'm in the no wash camp. Too many potential problems. I remove leaves and wipe down what I can with a damp rag a couple times a year. Good enough for me.

Unless you have a show car there is really no reason to be so concerned with the engine bay.

[soldout]

A clean engine bay shows the owner really cares about their ride and takes the extra time to clean areas often forgotten by most, its also easier to trace any oil or fluid leaks. Im also a firm believer that when your car is cleaner it gets treated better when you take it in for service. Its like brushing your teeth before you go to the dentist.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by soldout

A clean engine bay shows the owner really cares about their ride and takes the extra time to clean areas often forgotten by most, its also easier to trace any oil or fluid leaks. Im also a firm believer that when your car is cleaner it gets treated better when you take it in for service. Its like brushing your teeth before you go to the dentist.

Click and Clack used to say if your car is making a noise and you cant fix it, wash it.

[SirDigby]

all electrical connectors should have triple seals on the outside terminal wires and o ring seals on the inside of the connectors. there should not be any problems with washing your engine...
BTW they power wash the engine at the dealership....