Hi Scotty,
How are you this winter? I hope you're doing great. I'm from Canada with a 2016 Honda CR-V. Just wanna know your thoughts about having engine wash done.
Thank you.
No imo, not a good idea.
I have CRV (‘10) and I’m in Canada. I don’t wash my car all winter, … I just rinse it with a hose and a fresh cold water whenever temperature goes up to +5 deg. C or thereabouts. In Calgary, that’s about 1/2 dozen+ opportunities between late October and mid April - it’s a period that we see tons and tons of salt and sand on the tarmac. I rinse everything: body, underbody, wheel wells, wheels and brakes, suspension, engine bay - around the engine. No problem!
In fact, I have been doing this since my very first car (c. 1968). Like I said, … no problem whatsoever. No rust either, … just a slightly elevated monthly water bill. Fwiw.
F.S.
P.S.: … why do I do this? It’s simple, brine. Brine is a high-concentration solution of salt (NaCl) in water (H2O), … mixed with sand, … and that "shirt" capes our cars through and trough, … and engine bays in particular! And you think water is unfriendly to engines ‘n such? Think brine, …
Wash off the salt from underneath the car is a good idea but washing the engine bay is not a smart idea, considering all the electronics, sensors, ...
Well, … maybe. The fact is that snow, salt and sand mixture does not freeze ‘till about -15 deg. C., so this 'infuse' sprays itself constantly onto your car’s front as you follow others, … and as others drive by you from the opposite direction.
So trust me, … engine compartments get it - get it quite bad, right through the grill, from the bottom, etc., … and this brew capes it all as it dries out by the force of the air flow. No trouble, … trouble starts, however, when the car stops, and cools off. True, …
You see, this coat of muck is most hydroscopic - tending to absorb moisture from the air. Given time, … say, an hour or three, as car is parked, the whole car - including engine bay - engine and all, becomes as it was sprayed - on top of it - with a fine mist of water (see 'hydroscopic' above.) Everything feels soaked, dripping, unless temperature is well below -15 deg. C, or relative humidity drops to less than about 35%. ( … that’s why far up North cars and trucks tend not to rust as quick - colder, drier air out there farther you go North)
Anyway, that is a science behind it all, … Mother Nature is a bitch. One deals with it all, …or not!
And so, I just keep rinsing my cars as often as weather permits.
Best,
F.S.
As in de-grease the whole engine bay? I've done it numerous times without any problems. You can spray water in the engine bay, but just be mindful of all the electrical connections (eventhough the connections are water tight) and air intake system. And make sure the oil cap, dipstick(s), and other fluid reservoir caps are tight as well.
You said "having" it done? If a professional does it, OK. If some kid down the street doing it, NOT! Best for experienced people to do, if it needs done.
To add to this, most car detail professionals will use very little water. Especially now that computer modules and sensors are all over the engine bay. They will use liquids and spray especially formulated to be used to clean metal, electrical, and plastic parts without shorting out electrical systems.
One question : why do you want to wash the engine bay?
Is the engine really caked in grime?
Usually I only need to wipe down the surfaces I come in contact with so my hands don't get too dirty. The air box, the fan shroud, the brake + PS reservoir lids... stuff like that. I also wipe off the various tanks so I can see the levels inside. I might quickly hose things off if there's a lot of dust or mud . But if the engine doesn't leak then it shouldn't be that dirty.
I'm not worried about messing anything up. The entire engine bay is exposed from below to splashes from puddles and whatnot, so it's designed to get a bit wet.
I just question the logic in cleaning it. The engine is always going to be dirty. Washing the engine is like washing the bottom of your shoes or something.
All the other guys say its a bad idea but cover up your alternator and go to town. Avoid computers and electrical components. Use degreaser like purple power or something and scrub a little and just hose that thing down. Engine bays are meant to get a little wet. Most of the sensitive stuff is sealed up.
Don't worry about it too much. I have literally pressure washed over 1000 cars engine bays while working for various places (the supervisors told us to) and only 1 ever caught on fire 🙂
Not worth it. Most of the components in your engine bay, on any modern car, is going to mostly plastic or aluminum. Those materials aren't going to rust. You run a higher risk of getting water into your electrical connections.
Best bet I have heard is to use the spray cans of tire shine on the entire engine compartment. Let it soak in and drip off then wipe it down. No water is used. Doesn't mess up the electronics.
