Hi guyz, is it possible to power wash the engine bay, do i need to take off the air filter or what?

you can, but cover any electronics and the intake so you dont short/get water in the motor, not a good thing

Double check your plug wires and such afterward, too. Might knock one loose if you get too close.

The bay is designed with elements in mind. So it can get wet, otherwise the instructions would say "don't drive in the rain". Like lovelacci said above, double check the connections when you are dont to make sure you didnt knock anything loose.

ok, yea i figured i could, but i thought i would just make sure. so just seel any places that water could get in, check connections afterwards and i'm good to go. AWESOME! thanks guyz

It is probably safer to steam clean than to power wash, as you don't have to deal with the high pressure forcing water where it is not supposed to be, and the hot steam dries out much faster giving it less time to penetrate the wiring. But either way, if it refuses to start, you know why. And if it was an LT1 engine, don't even think about it. LOL

soak it with engine brite, then use a garden hose..

when i wash the bay of my truck, i usually cover the distributor and alternator with a plastic bag. and i use a minumum amount of water. While these things can get wet, i wouldnt push my luck if i were you.

ORIGINAL: Chappie99

soak it with engine brite, then use a garden hose..
best advice. high pressure can cause funny things to happen. just try to avoid the electronics best you can

If you have to pressure wash it at a car wash, make sure you leave the engine running cause it might be hard to start if everything is wet. Dont washif itis an LT1, I learned that the hard way.

I don't think thats such a good idea to do. Using a high pressure water in the engine bay. If you want to do anything use engine brite on the metal and underneath, and use a garden hose to spray it off after it has soaked in. When you do that make sure the engine is running too. I don't even think about doing that to the plastic covered components, pullies, hoses, etc.. If you are going to do anything to those just wipe them down and shine then up.

ok so trying to sum up my answer here would be, use engine brite and garden hose and make it short as possible water exposure time?

You can also use Mean Green or Grease Lighting ... I have used them both before to clean up the engine w/ water hose.

ORIGINAL: CamaroKid16

ok so trying to sum up my answer here would be, use engine brite and garden hose and make it short as possible water exposure time?


In my opinion, yes.

how come you cant wash an LT1 is it because of the type of intake or what?

yeah, its the intake

hey thanks guys. This has been alot of help and glad i asked.

i had washed my z28 lt1,RS and malibu. 100 times without covering up anything whats the big deal? its all sealed.

yea, i'm just gonna use a garden hose, forget covering crap up. As long as a person doesnt put a tremendous amount of pressure on anything you would think it'd all be secure enough to withstand a hose.

i cover some of that stuff up in my 68 cause thats a 39 year old alternator. I dont know how well it would hold up or not hold up.

that's true. mine's a 94. how much is this stuff... engine brite or any other stuff?

ORIGINAL: riceeater

yeah, its the intake



Would that include 95-97 3800's too?

Personally I've washed my engine bay a couple times.. The first time i did my best to cover everything, and only used a garden hose. I let everything dry and when I turned the key, it started up just fine, but boom.. misfire. I replaced the plug on the misfiring cylinder the next day and it was fine.

The second time it was washed at a dealership. They didnt cover anything and pressure washed it (something i dont really like) and what do you know.. another misfire. This time the misfire was gone by the time i drove home though, and it was fine after that.

It hasnt been washed since, but i would like to wash it soon. I think i'll cover most of the electrical as best i can and probably use some of what Hawk used (since his car is so clean..lol) and lightly rinse with a garden hose. So far the worst thats happened is I replaced a spark plug, which isnt the end of the world. Actually i could've used the plug anyway..

I have been pressure washing my engine for the past 15 years. The only time I ever covered anything up is when I had a carbed 455 in my 81 Trans-Am. I just put a bag over the aircleaner and distributer cap. Last time, I used my neighbors gas powered 2600psi pressurewasher.It did nothing except clean my engine. IMy car wasnt running at the time, and started right up after I was done. Use your own decression, If it has a distributer cap and carb, cover it in plastic, I dont worry about anything else.

ORIGINAL: theFLoYD1964

how come you cant wash an LT1 is it because of the type of intake or what?


You can wash a LT1, but the LT1 does have the infamous Opti, and if you get the opti wet, your in for a big headache and a big hole in you wallet.

i use this ****, its great, http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z319/Robzz06/32202640.jpg

http://www.seafoamsales.com/images/updates_whitecap.gif

ORIGINAL: chrshadil

ORIGINAL: theFLoYD1964

how come you cant wash an LT1 is it because of the type of intake or what?


You can wash a LT1, but the LT1 does have the infamous Opti, and if you get the opti wet, your in for a big headache and a big hole in you wallet.
the LT4s in the Vetteswere even worse. you would have to pull the whole front accessory drive off, on the front of the engine because water would destroy it and it was located behind the waterpump so it wasn't easy to get at and replace

ORIGINAL: z28pete

It is probably safer to steam clean than to power wash, as you don't have to deal with the high pressure forcing water where it is not supposed to be, and the hot steam dries out much faster giving it less time to penetrate the wiring. But either way, if it refuses to start, you know why. And if it was an LT1 engine, don't even think about it. LOL

I'm with you on this one Pete. No reason to power wash plus power washing will take off some things you don't want off. Like paint!!

ORIGINAL: riceeater

yeah, its the intake

it has nothing to do with the intakes. it has to do with ignition parts behind the waterpump. water loves to set up in there, and if it does, be prepared to pay the piper

so if i have a 94 z28 and i wanted to clean the engine bay what would you guys recommend ? wash the engine with a light mist (i have a garden hose with a attachment and you can put it on mist)and with simple green or just simple green ? any suggestions or comments would be great.

i agree with the steam method.

if i use a mist with simple green do i need to cover anything ? i know lt1s are famous for getting shorts in the electrical or the distrutor screawing up so what should i do? m i fine with just using misting the engine and using simple green and not covering anything up ?

cover the "distributor" up and maybe the alternator as well.

What you do is take the air filter out, and shove a water hose up there real far. cut it all the way on and start the engine. That will clean it out real good.


P.S.- this is a joke. Don't really do it or your an idiot.

ORIGINAL: TotalChaos

What you do is take the air filter out, and shove a water hose up there real far. cut it all the way on and start the engine. That will clean it out real good.


P.S.- this is a joke. Don't really do it or your an idiot.



You're an idiot.

i just cover up the alt. and go at it, never had any probs with both my cars...