I always just spray the engine down with some scrubbies then rinse it with a hose.... then I use a air hose to blast off any loose water. I have done it a bunch of times and havent had any problems.
Of course it is a simple process using a hose, maybe a spray, soap, etc...
I've done it hundreds of times on many cars. Never a problem.
Some people like to think that 'special services' are needed for 'special car' and the detailer just feed into that myth with expensive 'custom S3 engine cleaning services'.
Whatever.
What the heck do you think happens when cars are driven in the rain!?
A
PS 6 months in a shop is dust....not a particularly challenging cleaning task!
Why would that be interesting Hawkwind? You clearly know something I don't know.
No I don't know anything.
All I meant was: what if some of the guys who clean their engines often are the ones with temperature gauge problems? i.e., water in the wrong places can affect the electronics. I doubt that's the case, but not knowing anything, I thought I'd throw the idea out.
Never use pressure washer. Water can get inside the connectors and contacts and can cause intermittent connection.
Never steam clean the engine. Same reason, moisture can get inside the connectors and contacts and can cause connection issues later.
Never use Gunk or petroleum based engine cleaner. It doesnt clean very well and will cause your engine to smell for days.
When cleaning your engine, wait until the engine is warm or cold but not hot.
Cover the connectors, HID ballasts, HID bulbs, electrical connections with Saran wrap. Even the ECU cover which is under the passenger A/C filter, I would cover that area too with saran wrap.
Now, use 1 full can (or 2 cans if your engine is really dirty) of Scrubbing Bubbles. Spray it all over the engine. Let it soak for a couple of minutes.
THen hose the engine off with medium pressure stream of water from regular water hose. Wash off the side of the hood to protect the paint.
Start the engine, let it warm up to dry the engine. Now watch and enjoy.
This is so easy.
__________________
Dan
Supersprint Headers, Tubi Rumore Plus exhaust, Dinan CAI, Defi Heads Up Display, Strong Strut front anti-sway bar, Powerchip 93 S/W, Euro Arm rest, Fikse Profil 5S Rims; Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, Polk Audio Tweeters, Boston Acoustic Speakers, Integrated 60gig Video Ipod, HiDef DICE Radio iPod interface, Icelink, Rouge Engineering Short shifter, StopTech Big Brake Kit, TC Design rear sway bar brackets, HID 8000k fog lamps, 8000K low beams, Euro clear corner HID headlamps, Mark IV Nav, Lamin X films, Predator ICE LED AE, Valentine 1, M20 Blinder Anti Laser, TEC cup holder, All LED interior lights, LED footwell lights, LED trunk lights, Ultimate Cup Holders, Hella TC-400 Tire Pressure Monitor System, etc.
Even with all the connections getting wet, evaporation would take care of it pretty quick--a day or so if the car isn't able to run. Repeated soakings may cause corrosion.
They have an intermittent connection somewhere. The gauges are so heavily damped (meaning slow to respond) that instant hits full or to zero always means electrical problem.
An alternator cannot be damaged by basic water; not spray from a hose, and not permanently unless you decide to gatorade congratulate your alternator.
__________________
Joe
'00 E39 S62 ///M5 Carbon Black/Caramel
AA CAI
UFM IATS Relocation Kit
SuperSprint Headers
Bassani Racing Cats-Custom Tubing
Tubi Cat Back System
Powerchip 93
UUC Lightweight Flywheel
UUC Stage III Clutch
Rogue Engineering Tranny Mounts
3.45 Diff KMS Ring & Pinion Swap
TC Designs Rear Swaybar Brackets
Royal Purple Syncromax Tranny Fluid
UUC SSK
UUC DSSR
So here are my recommendations for our beasts:
Now, use 1 full can (or 2 cans if your engine is really dirty) of Scrubbing Bubbles. Spray it all over the engine. Let it soak for a couple of minutes.
Come on, admit it - you're the western region distributor for Scrubbing Bubbles!
All I meant was: what if some of the guys who clean their engines often are the ones with temperature gauge problems? i.e., water in the wrong places can affect the electronics. I doubt that's the case, but not knowing anything, I thought I'd throw the idea out.
I don't think a 'what if' approach will get us very far. It looked like a put-down to me.
__________________ **** it, let's do it - Australian proverb
Linear Mode
