How many pros here detail engines for clients?

R

RobertM

New member
I am going to start my mobile business probably this April (May at the latest). A lot of things still need to be done from now and then.



Just wondering how many of you already established detailers do engines along with all your other services. Those of you who do, have you ever had problems with the engines restarting or malfunctioning (electrically)?



I've never had any problems on my own vehicle detailing the engine bays with covering things like the alternator and coil pak with bags. Would it be taking a risk doing engines?



Thanks for any and all input.



Robert.





(I know, the rules say to keep all questions in University until your post count is to a certain level but I rarely ever post because I heavily use the search feature. Plus I think this question pertains to this forum pretty well.)
 
I was thinking just using a degreaser and scrub brush. Then hose down with water and dry with my 6.5 HP shop-vac (blows at 265 mph!). Then top hoses etc. with dressing.



Robert.
 
I used to, but I may decide against it this year. I don't need the extra liability and usually don't make much money from it anyways since I took the time to cover up every little thing.
 
Well, I do it everyday, without problems (so far!)

There is the potential for problems, make no mistake about it.



I find that the newer vehicles are much less likely to be affected by water.



NEVER use a pressure/power washer. simple flow of a garden hose should be enough. A proper degreaser should eliminate the need for scrubbing.



Mist with a water based dressing, close the hood, go on about the rest of the car, check back as you finish the detail and remist as required.



Works for me.



Jim
 
I detail the engine bays for some customers. I always charge additional for it. As stated above, there is definitely potential for causing some damage in many different ways. If you are not very knowledgable about electronic powertrain management, you probably should avoid engine bays. It can be an expensive liability. It only takes a small amount of water in the wrong place to create major symptoms.



The primary concern is electronics. Be certain to cover electronic sensor connections on the MAF, TPS, ACS, ECM, COPs and coil packs. You also should protect the alternator and all breathers. Aluminum foils works well since it can be molded around small devices.



When cleaning, use low water water volume. A pump sprayer with water works well for controlling water volume and directing it where its needed for rinsing. Engine bays have many different materials next to each other in a confined area. Be sure to use a cleaner that wont harm aluminum, poly vinyl, paint, rubber, etc. Citrus is usually a pretty safe cleaner. Clean one section at a time using cleaner and brushes.



Once the bay is cleaned, blow excess water out and remove all protective foil. Start the engine immediately and shut the hood. Let the engine warm up to evaporate water and prevent it from running into electronic connections.



This wont gaurantee that you wont cause a problem when cleaning an engine bay but it will greatly reduce the risks.
 
I only detail engines for a few of my regulars. New customers? No way. Even though I have never had a problem with an engine after I have washed it, these days you never know when someone will have an engine problem and want you to wash it so they can try and pin the blame on you for the problem.



I suggest they take the car to the dealer for engine cleaning, that way if anything gets wet and ruined, the dealer should have the parts in stock and a mechanic who can replace them.
 
Engines are a hell to detail... We do around 5-10 a week, and additional 10-20 engine washes a week... There are a lot of problems involved if you're not familiar with some models.



With my experience, we don't engine wash any euro cars, not even pouring water out of a bottle or something, they always tend to have idling problems afterwards. With newer Japanese engines such as the ones in Civics, Corollas, CRV, RAV, etc etc, they're pretty much safe, you can pressure wash them with no probs as long as you dry things up before starting.



Some Jap cars such as the Maxima/I30 (Cefiro here in Asia) have really sensitive electronics and you'd like to avoid washing those as well.



Diesel cars are easy to clean.



Oh, when it comes to carb... Be very careful around the carb area, one loose hose and you'll spend hours finding where it goes.
 
I worked as a detailer at A big Ford dealership in high school, in my training they taught us to spray down the entire engine compartment with degreaser and then spray it with the pressusre washer. I'm not saying this is the right way to do it, but we never had any problems on any of the cars after doing this, and it was done to every sold vehicle.
 
Detailing the engine is not part of my normal services, but it is a service that I offer. I do a lot of cars that people are fixing to sell or cars that are going back on lease returns. Getting the engine into shape is important for the customer because its something that is going to be looked at. Most people don't care about under the hood. If you aren't cleaning the engine like you are putting out a fire then its not hard to detail it safely. I've never had any trouble with them because I'm very careful.



If you avoid detailing engines because of the risk of electrical problems then I would think you would avoid polishing the paint for risk of rotary burn. If you know what you are doing then its safe. I don't detail an engine unless I am asked and then I always look at it first. Most cars that are going to cause you problems by detailing under the hood aren't going to be owned by people who would ask you to do the job. That's just me, anyway. I like doing engines because there is always a very dramatic difference and I like to see differences. I've got a good example of that in my gallery somewhere...
 
I offer, But a release form is REQUIRED. It explains that I am not a mechanic, the good and bad of engine detailing and we will not be held accountable for ANY mishap to the engine.
 
newagain said:
I offer, But a release form is REQUIRED. It explains that I am not a mechanic, the good and bad of engine detailing and we will not be held accountable for ANY mishap to the engine.
Click to expand...



RobertM,



It is always a good idea to be accountable for the services that you are offering.



If you are either unsure of the results you may get or in this case the damage that may arise in the future, then you would be better off not doing the work. It is never a good idea to tell a customer that you will do the work but not be held accountable. That is just not a professional way to conduct your business.



I would never recommend that a detailer should do anything with a vehicle that they cannot be held accountable for. No matter how many legal papers are signed. That is just not good business sense.
 
I don't see where that isn't good business sense. If the client wants something done that is beyond what the normal services are then its not wrong to have them understand that although you are a professional, you won't be held responsible for things beyond your ability to predict. It could be a clause in the service agreement that you have every client sign. For someone who seems to know so much about running a business, I'm surprised you don't see the wisdom in something like that. Most business have something like that. When was the last time you had your car serviced and didn't see something written somewhere saying that they aren't responsible for personal items in the vehicle? Its a legal and safe way to protect yourself from people who set you up for problems.



If they detail their own engine and screw up their car and then take it to you to detail so they can blame you for the damage they cause themself, then having a waiver or something like that would be pretty valuable. You have to protect yourself from people who are out there looking for ways to screw other people over. I'm not going to set myself up for that kind of thing when I could have a simple waiver to protect me. If they don't want to sign it then they don't get their engine detailed. No skin off my nose. If its not a service I normally offer then what do I care if they don't want me to do it for them? They don't have to sign a waiver for the rest of the car. If there is damage before I even start working on it then there are checklists the customer can sign to protect yourself from that. You can't always see the problems that could be lurking under the hood. Either way, you can't go through life believing that nobody is out to get you. You have to protect yourself and forms like those are the best way to do it.
 
I never do engines, too risky, too bad people out there trying to blame on you.



I also recommend them to take it to the dealer, For regular customers or my cars I just clean with a pad and a decreaser the top of the engine and then apply a dresser on top of the black pieces it works great and it is no risky
 
but the exposure is great when one of the electronic gizmos gets wet and the car has to be towed.



Several of the German mfrs have said no more engine washing.:(
 
Jngrbrdman,



All of my customers are my friends. I trust them and they trust me. I do not have them sign legal papers every time I detail their vehicles. That is just not good business sense.



My customers know what I am capable of and they also know that I can be held accountable for my services. They would not have it any other way.
 
Its nice when you can know everybody personaly that you detail for. That isn't always the case. Businesses that are interested in protecting themselves will have something written that describes what they are liable for and what they are not liable for. I don't have a form that people have to sign either. I trust the people who's cars I detail though. I don't care if they trust me or not. I have to be able to trust them that they aren't going to turn around and sue me for damaging their car if I didn't really damage it.



Maybe I'm alone in this, but I wouldn't buy a car with a dirty engine. I wouldn't take my car to a show with a dirty engine. And I've never seen a show winner have a dirty engine. It may not be a service that everybody needs, but if you are working for people who are selling their car or showing their car, then they are going to ask you to detail the engine. If that isn't your typical client then there is nothing to worry about. I enjoy the challange in detailing an engine.



It doesn't matter if your customers know that you are accountable or not. If you screw up their engine and you don't have a waiver then you are accountable whether you like it or not. All of that can be avoided by doing the job right and being careful. I haven't ever read about anyone who has been screwed by a customer because they detailed the engine and then the customer came back on them. I don't think it happens that often. I don't think you should bag on someone for protecting themself though. So you are bold and decide to put it all out on the line because you are confident in your work. I'm the same way. Like I said, I don't have a waiver either. I detail engines better than anything else probably, so I'm not worried about messing anything up. However, if I do mess something up and the customer decides to come after me, then I am screwed.
 
I once got a call from a guy complaining that after I washed the engine in his Miata, it was idling poorly and missing on acceleration. I explained to him I hadn't detailed a Miata in quite some time and he called the wrong person. I did tell him it sounded like water in the distributer cap though and removing and drying it would probably help. He then mumbled an apology, thanked me for the advice and then asked if I knew of a shop with a name similar to mine that had actually done the work. :lol



He really had no idea who detailed his car!
 
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