I would like to power wash the grime off of my engine. When I wrote the valve adjustment "article" I replaced the valve cover gaskets. They were leaking and the oil baked on to the engine with dirt and other stuff. The engine is cool to the touch with a little warmth in the coolant lines. I drove the truck this morning running back and forth from Moores tires to replace my trailer tires. It has been sitting since 11 am. If and when I power wash the engine compartment, is there special places that I should worry about?

Thanks!

Jon

 

Be careful of electrical connections around the left fender. Dont be surprised if your Water In Fuel light comes on (You can disconnect it and spray some WD40 or whatever in there to get the water out of the connection). Other than that, I'd say you're good to go. Might get up underneath it and spray up from the bottom too, if you're so inclined.

Daniel

 

[QUOTE=dpuckett;1503971 Might get up underneath it and spray up from the bottom too, if you're so inclined.

Daniel[/QUOTE]

I need a pair of these if I do! Or I might do something like this

What should I worry about with the electric connections? And when you mean left, are you looking from the front or drivers seat?

Thanks!

Jon

 

speaking of washing it, im about to have to remove my Rad and wondererd if theres a problem washing the front

 

Be carefull what type of cleaner you use, i used some strong stuff
once (Superclean) and it attacked the aluminum intercooler. When I pressure checked the intercooler about a year later it was full of pinholes

 

Been power washing engines for years. Watch the electrical as already stated, careful of radiator, fins get bent easily (don't ask how I know). Careful around any areas where there are gaskets... I usually like to wash my engine when they are warm, not hot as the grease and stuff comes off easier. I also don't use any chemicals except a little dish soap.

 

I just degreased mine about 2 days ago.
It wasnt that bad. I used Amsoil Power Foam(of course Amsoil, what else would I use?) Its a carb cleaner that doubles as an engine degreaser.
I ran the truck to let it get warm then coated anything and everything that was on the engine that was oil coated. Let it sit a while then took a small pressure washer to it. It looks great. Its not showroom sparkly but its certainly a lot better than what it was. Afterwards I was able to read printing and engravings on the block and components that I didnt even know where there. Plus it cleaned up the mess from my old leaky valve cover gaskets and timing chain gasket.

 

Sounds like I may need to get on that too...when you coming back shelby?

 

I dont know. I emailed my boss to see if my paperwork had gone through yet and I was told today that it wasnt ready yet to ask again in the middle of next week. Its ok. Im kinda enjoying bumming around the house doing nothing except little odd projects. I need to get my welder and torch back, not to make anything important, just to play with it =D

 

Good deal. Im hopin to get my turbo swapped on Sunday and then maybe do a wash job, ya know, for that extra 23hp .

 

napa sells some good degreaser meant for equipment that smells likes oranges. we use it heavily at work and it works great. i wash engines all the time with our big pressure washer at work, and have never had a problem with water in connectors or such.

 

Or use Coca-Cola syrup. The company has been using it since they first made it to clean their engines. That is why I drink minimal soda.

Jon

 

Yup, that 23 extra CLEAN horsepower comes in handy. I even noticed a little bit better MPG. I should wash it again just for laughs!

 

Coca-Cola came out long before internal combustion engines. That is a myth prepetuated by who knows who. It is actually the carbonic acid (or something related to the carbonation) that can break loose small quantities of oil. If the engines are maintained, they wont need washing anyway, except for maybe some dust here and there. Most big fleets like that dont keep their trucks long enough for age to become a factor.

The electircal connections I was referring to were the ones on the driver's fender (TRUCKS's left).

DP

 

Your truck has a timing chain?