The project car is coming home soon, and I would like to wash the engine before I tear it apart.

How can I wash it at the carwash? I don't want to kill the opti, but want the engine clean. Would it just have to be removed to spray down the engine compartment with degreaser and water?

What have you guys found to work? I don't want to volunteer my opti to go out.

Ben T.

 

you can cover the opti in plastic thats what i did, just dont spray the water at the opti and you should be fine

 

to be safe i wipe mine down and not spray any water near the opti..you can clean pretty much everything with a rag...get an old old toothbrush to reach the small places

 

BAH, I've been washing my motor at the car wash for going on 8 years now...still on the original opti. I first coat the engine with that degreaser stuff, then wash the entire car, then come back and spray the engine bay with the low pressure final rinse. The only thing I cover with a shop towel is Crane Box #3.

It's all Urban Legend I tell ya!!! YMMV of course, but I ain't afraid!

 

Dont spray any water near that thing, I dont care what anyone tells you.. I took my car through the automatic wash and as soon as that undercarrage wash started.. WHEW ses came on... misfire city.... Hasnt been to an auto wash since.... I could only imagine what spraying inside the engine bay could do.. Do it by hand, results will be much better.....

 

Error on the side of caution-dont spray it down. hand wash carefully, those electronics dont care for water much, especially the opti. some may power wash without any trouble, but you may not fair the fortunate one. My .02 worth.

 

It's probably not worth the risk power washing your motor. It seems that many people have different results when this topic comes up. I've been power washing my motor since '97, and I'm still on my original opti, but I don't recommend you taking the chance

 

Its up to you. I have washed my engine a few times, and nothing wrong so far. But i have yet to power wash it, i usually just spray on some degreaser and let it sit for a little bit, then i hose it down. However, it would probably matter if you have a vented or non-vented opti. If you get any watter in the opti and its not vented, you are screwed, otherwise, you have a decent chance to survive. Also, i always blow dry my engine dry before i start it up again. I use my leaf blower to do this. Good luck!

 

I say go ahead and wash it if you want to, if you have the $$ to pay should something bad happen.

You have been warned.