Running water through engine bay

[Moose_Gumps]

Alright, before anyone flames me, yes I have searched, and read, about the proper way to wash out/prepare your engine bay for a good cleaning. Now, this will be my first time thus the reason for creating this thread. My question to you guys is what exactly do I need to cover in seran wrap/bags to prevent from getting wet? What I gathered so far from what I read is I need to cover:

- Short ram intake
- Distributor

That's about all I got haha.. I know it reccomends covering up/avoiding the wiring but wires are everywhere and just wanted to know which ones to avoid/cover. I am kinda new to being under the hood of my teg so it's kinda hard to locate things since I am new to this so if you guys could help me out rep+ will be given.

Also, should I cover up my DDM Hids? I think I remember hearing they are water proof but wanted to make sure.

If it helps at all, I have a 98 RS

thanks

 

[Slo_Teggy]

I've washed my engine bay several times. I cover the distributor, battery, and any exposed wiring. My HID's are hidden on the outside of the engine bay so I don't have to worry about them. I would suggest covering them though. Better safe then sorry. You don't need to cover the air intake, just don't start the car while the car is dripping wet. Let it dry for a little bit.

Other then that you will be good to go. There are some articles on the net about this, but I'm too lazy to check for links. I've told you all plus more information then they say anyway.

I don't know about the laws there, but you could always take your hood off and drive around for a hit to dry it up. Doing that will only allow bugs to get splattered all over your freshly washed engine though. Probably not a good idea.

 

[Moose_Gumps]

I've washed my engine bay several times. I cover the distributor, battery, and any exposed wiring. My HID's are hidden on the outside of the engine bay so I don't have to worry about them. I would suggest covering them though. Better safe then sorry. You don't need to cover the air intake, just don't start the car while the car is dripping wet. Let it dry for a little bit.

Other then that you will be good to go. There are some articles on the net about this, but I'm too lazy to check for links. I've told you all plus more information then they say anyway.

I don't know about the laws there, but you could always take your hood off and drive around for a hit to dry it up. Doing that will only allow bugs to get splattered all over your freshly washed engine though. Probably not a good idea.

thanks for the reply, that really helps a lot. I forgot to mention the battery, kinda figured I'd need to cover that up. WHen you say exposed wiring do you mean like all exposed wiring? Because I have a lot of exposed wiring lol, and I don't want to get unseen wires wet that I will not be able to see.

Better yet should I just re-wrap the exposed wires with black electrical tape?

thanks again, ill rep+ if you reply again *thumbs up*

 

[Slo_Teggy]

I honestly couldn't care less about these rep points, just trying to help out.

When I say exposed wires, I mean when you see metal. Wires usually have a rubber coating over them that acts as a protection. You don't need to wrap wires that have a coating over that (they usually all do), but just the ones that have a broken rubber coating, or ones that have exposed wires out the end. If you aren't 100% confident with the wiring thing, just disconnect your battery, wash the bay, and let your car dry over-night or all day.

Just wash it and leave the hood open or something.

If you have exposed wires, then it's always suggested to clean them up with tape.

 

[phatintegra]

I have washed my bay like once a month. I only put rags over the filter (short ram), distributor cap, electrical harness plugs and HID ballast. Everything else is exposed even the battery, etc. around the electrical area light wash and everything else that not expose to electrical get pressure wash. Then I dry it as much as I could then fired up the motor.

The most water your going to get is on top of the valve cover around the spark plugs hole on the LS motor. Make sure you dry up really good in that area. and the battery before you turn over the motor.

As for degreaser I use orange blast or anything with orange citrus before I get anything wet and let it soak for about 10-15min before I start spraying with water.

 

[Moose_Gumps]

I honestly couldn't care less about these rep points, just trying to help out.

When I say exposed wires, I mean when you see metal. Wires usually have a rubber coating over them that acts as a protection. You don't need to wrap wires that have a coating over that (they usually all do), but just the ones that have a broken rubber coating, or ones that have exposed wires out the end. If you aren't 100% confident with the wiring thing, just disconnect your battery, wash the bay, and let your car dry over-night or all day.

Just wash it and leave the hood open or something.

If you have exposed wires, then it's always suggested to clean them up with tape.

thanks man that really helps! I do have some wires that are showing I'm gonna retape them up today before washing.

I have washed my bay like once a month. I only put rags over the filter (short ram), distributor cap, electrical harness plugs and HID ballast. Everything else is exposed even the battery, etc. around the electrical area light wash and everything else that not expose to electrical get pressure wash. Then I dry it as much as I could then fired up the motor.

The most water your going to get is on top of the valve cover around the spark plugs hole on the LS motor. Make sure you dry up really good in that area. and the battery before you turn over the motor.

As for degreaser I use orange blast or anything with orange citrus before I get anything wet and let it soak for about 10-15min before I start spraying with water.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll run to autozone and get some engine degreaser.

Thank you guys a lot. That helps out

 

[Slo_Teggy]

I assumed you had some degreaser already. Water won't do anything to the engine bay. You'll need to spray some chemicals on it and most likely need to take a scrub brush and scrub the caked on grease.

 

[travistrouble]

This thread helped me from having to create my own thread lol. I've been wanting to clean mine out, so thanks to those that replied.

 

[phatintegra]

Good Tip.
After you clean it really good. If you wax the body panel and next time you wash it. It will get easier next time you wash it.

 

[Prozon]

The "power washing" thread has a lot of good information. Basically what Slo_Teggy said, cover up anything exposed.. but water really shouldn't hurt anything. The only thing I cover up is my intake.

 

[Moose_Gumps]

The "power washing" thread has a lot of good information. Basically what Slo_Teggy said, cover up anything exposed.. but water really shouldn't hurt anything. The only thing I cover up is my intake.

I feel like a pressure washer could do some damage lol, will a hose + thumb work just as well?

Do you apply engine degreaser to only the engine or can you kinda just douse everything in the engine bay? I was also planning on using either tire cleaner/armour all on the rubber hoses to get them looking shiny again. *thumbs up*

thanks for the helpful info so far

 

[Slo_Teggy]

It will work, but you'll just have to scrub harder. Basically just wash it until it's clean. I use the "power wash" setting on my hose and haven't had any problems since. I usually wash my engine every 1-2 weeks (when I drive it).

 

[Moose_Gumps]

It will work, but you'll just have to scrub harder. Basically just wash it until it's clean. I use the "power wash" setting on my hose and haven't had any problems since. I usually wash my engine every 1-2 weeks (when I drive it).

thanks for the help man.

I'll clean out my bay today

 

[Slo_Teggy]

remember to take before and after pictures and post them!!