Engine and engine compartment cleaning

[Rick Daniels]

Having traveled on perhaps too many gravel roads (hard to avoid in Montana) I find my engine and engine compartment very dusty.  I have been told not to use a pressure washer because of sensitive electronics.  Using air pressure to blow out the dirt and dust creates a dust storm in the coach.  Would using a garden hose under city water pressure likely cause any harm?  I assume driving down the highway during heavy rain the engine and compartment gets pretty wet so water alone shouldn't hurt.  Any advice?

[Eric Maclean]

Rick
A garden hose should be ok the goal here is to avoid using pressure which could force water into electrical connectors , solenoids etc.

The best way to wash the engine is to first warm the engine up before washing it this will help evaporator away the residual water after the wash.

Remember the ECM is located on the passenger side of the engine block try to avoid directly bossing down the ECM and connection to it.

Although it's not recommend practice many people use a pressure washer set to a lower pressure setting or spray pattern to wash the engine compartments down by using care to avoid the electrical connections.

Hope this helps
Eric

[Joel Ashley]

You can always, if the biscuit burner will permit, run a hose in through a bedroom/back window and gently rinse the engine down from the top.  I’d spread a plastic tarp or something around the hatch(es) and limit nozzle pressure to minimize sprayback.  You might put plastic bags over the engine’s electronic attachments.  A preliminary spray and soak of Simple Green Motorsports (NOT regular Simple Green) may assist with any oily areas.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simple-Green-Extreme-Motorsports-Cleaner-and-Degreaser-32oz/5001171453?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-google-_-pla-_-127-_-traditionalcleaning-_-5001171453-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIubCz_-Le8gIV1Rt9Ch2BsQjYEAQYASABEgLgOfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Joel

[Jerry Carr]

Rick the "Simple Green" that Joel spoke of is Ideal for use on your engine and our "aluminum radiator" don't use the regular simple green.

[Keith Moffett]

Rick
I have used a spray bottle with Dawn dish liquid diluted and pre soaked and then rinsed with clear water and a pump sprayer.  Takes just a bit longer but you protect your electronics better.