Has anyone experienced any issues with there engine over a period of time that was caused from many years of engine detailing? Or has anyone been detailing there engine from many, many years without any issues? The reason i ask is because I am currently taking an Automotive Electrical course and the instructor mentioned that he has experienced that people that get their engine detailed will sometimes run into problems down because the chemicals over time can start to corrode the back sides of the electrical connectors. I am wondering for those that have been detailing their engine for a long period of time if they have ever experienced any electrical problems. Is has been mentioned before on here to cover a few items to protect from water damage, but this is the first i heard of somethng that can happen over time. I like a clean engine, but hearing this made me a little nervous because electrical problems are not fun!!! thanks
Long Term Engine Detailing Issues?
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Milestones
New member
This is the exact reason that I don't detail the engine on my personal daily driver.
Obviously it's different if you are talking about a show car. However, for me it's not worth the risk of short term or long term electrical problems to keep a daily driver's engine compartment detailed.
Obviously it's different if you are talking about a show car. However, for me it's not worth the risk of short term or long term electrical problems to keep a daily driver's engine compartment detailed.
Depends what you use. I've been cleaning the engines on my DD for years now and haven't had an issue. I am pretty careful and only use water from the hose and simple green. I'm not big on dressings under there, and have never used a pressure washer. I think where you get into trouble is when you start blasting away indiscriminately. It's also a great time to find small leaks, loose stuff, etc.
I used to cover the distributor, etc. before cleaning, but these days I just don't worry about it. I have the dreaded GM optispark and haven't had any issues with it acting up.
Your engine gets hit with all kinds of water during driving, those connectors are pretty good these days. Besides, taking a dirty engine to the shop is like going to the doctor with dirty underwear on. I gotta believe that the mechanic prefers to work on an engine he can see underneath the grime.
I used to cover the distributor, etc. before cleaning, but these days I just don't worry about it. I have the dreaded GM optispark and haven't had any issues with it acting up.
Your engine gets hit with all kinds of water during driving, those connectors are pretty good these days. Besides, taking a dirty engine to the shop is like going to the doctor with dirty underwear on. I gotta believe that the mechanic prefers to work on an engine he can see underneath the grime.
Milestones
New member
samhian said:
That's actually a really good idea.
Might have to give that a try.
TriumphGT6
New member
My car is 20 years old and has 52k miles and the engine gets detailed regularly, no issues have resulted from that. Former owner(2nd) said that it was cleaned regularly via the same method I use.
I don't think it's ever been powerwashed, but I regularly clean it with old microfiber towels with Meg's QD, and I use their vinyl and rubber protectant sprayed on the towel to dress the hoses and plastic. I wouldn't just blind powerwash everything.
I don't think it's ever been powerwashed, but I regularly clean it with old microfiber towels with Meg's QD, and I use their vinyl and rubber protectant sprayed on the towel to dress the hoses and plastic. I wouldn't just blind powerwash everything.
Sorry i am new to this forum but i am a bit confused why so many people care about engine detailing. How often is it that someone opens the hood of your car to see whats inside. Unless you hav a show car (which many of you might). Is there any performance increase witha clean engine bay?
thanks
thanks
carter840 said:
1.) I like to keep it clean
2.) it makes it easy to work on
3.) it makes it easy it find leaks or problems
4.) I feel if someone else has to work on it they will give it more respect
5.) in theory a clean engine should run cooler and that could be a slight performance increase
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
carter840 said:
Perhaps you have not yet noticed the true OCD undercurrent of this site
Back to the topic, one thing has bothered me about using silicone dressings under the hood. Back when GM first started putting feedback systems on their engines, they warned against using silicone sealers on engine gaskets, and had a special silicone (GMS--General Motors Sealant--it was orange) to use for those applications. Regular silicone sealers were supposed to be bad for something (I think it was the oxygen sensor). I don't know if this was an acetic acid-cure vs. moisture cure (the GMS didn't smell like vinegar), but I thought it was a silicone issue.
Anyway, in that context, slobbering silicone-based dressings all over the engine didn't sound like a good idea.
Once the engine is clean, I don't think it needs to be dressed after every wash. I dress the engine like I would polish the car only a couple of times a year. Also, if you clean the engine regularly, you shouldn't need to use heavy degreasers. A lot of people on this site clean thier engine with QEW or ONR. It takes little effort.
in my opinion, it is easier and safer if you use a power washer, you just have to use the right one. i use a cheap 1.3 gpm 1400 psi power washer set on maximum fan, from a few feet away. this way it is mostly air doing the cleaning for you, and i've never had a problem. the key is less water flow. if you have a nice washer that does like 2 or more gpm, it might not work as well.
Accumulator
Well-known member
I've always kept every engine very clean, if not always show-quality, and it's never been a problem. NEVER. E.g., I've been cleaning the '85 Jag's V12 since new with no issues.
I give every engine compartment at least some kind of once-over, involving water, at every wash. It's the same as keeping the undercarriage clean and it helps make it easier to spot little problems before they become serious.
Heh heh, my mechanics sure appreciate having a clean engine compartment to work in, as do my wife and I whenever we're doing something under the hood.
For that matter...*everything* I own stays fairly clean. Stuff simply shouldn't be allowed to get/stay dirty; IMO it's a form of neglect and willful neglect isn't part of how I go through life.
I give every engine compartment at least some kind of once-over, involving water, at every wash. It's the same as keeping the undercarriage clean and it helps make it easier to spot little problems before they become serious.
Heh heh, my mechanics sure appreciate having a clean engine compartment to work in, as do my wife and I whenever we're doing something under the hood.
For that matter...*everything* I own stays fairly clean. Stuff simply shouldn't be allowed to get/stay dirty; IMO it's a form of neglect and willful neglect isn't part of how I go through life.
carter840 said:
LOL, I understand. My car is not a show car, (96 Impala SS), but it's a great car, and it's 25 thousand dollars of my money sitting there. I want it to look, run, and feel like it did when I bought it 10years ago. So far, I'm keeping up, (barely). I clean it for me, not for someone else to look at.
Yeah, it's weird, but once you start scrubbing valve covers you can't go back.
Accumulator said:
Now if a mid 80's Jag can go through all this and NOT get electrical problems, then you KNOW it is safe heh. I shouldn't say much though, my dad's '82 XJ6 has given us near-zero electrical problems, just the AC needs some work I think, but other than that, it's been good.
I do believe they still had the Lucas electrics in the mid 80's?
Edit: LOL Lucas - Prince of Darkness - Lucas Electrical Humor Jokes
salty
Active member
I have been cleaning engines (daily) for about 14 years and have washed both ways PW and garden hose. 99.9% in the last 8 years without pressure, have had only two issues. One was a request to clean after a heater core replacement, involved some blind spraying around an almost hidden distributor cap. I can't really remember the other.
When i used a PW that number when up quite a bit. This could be because of several factors such as less experience, vehicles are better and better chemicals.
Even though a PW uses less water it is at a much higher pressure and can force its way into areas that a garden hose won't. I generally do not cover anything anymore.
With the chemicals today i have no problem getting the engine as clean a PW.
I am also not a big fan of putting any dressing on engines. Sometimes it has to be done.
If you kept it clean from new or after a good clean. It is a 10 min. job 2 or 3 times a year.
Also my last car was cleaned for over 8 years with no problems
When i used a PW that number when up quite a bit. This could be because of several factors such as less experience, vehicles are better and better chemicals.
Even though a PW uses less water it is at a much higher pressure and can force its way into areas that a garden hose won't. I generally do not cover anything anymore.
With the chemicals today i have no problem getting the engine as clean a PW.
I am also not a big fan of putting any dressing on engines. Sometimes it has to be done.
If you kept it clean from new or after a good clean. It is a 10 min. job 2 or 3 times a year.
Also my last car was cleaned for over 8 years with no problems