Washing an engine

[ollie302]

I'm picking up a 2015 XLT tomorrow and noticed the engine bay is dusty. Years ago I washed engines without many repercussions but now with all the electronics I am a little intimidated. Does anybody have an opinion about hosing down the engine compartment and engine.

 

[Bob Rosadini]

Good question- I hope you don't get any real negative responses as I have been routinely doing this for years. Engine running and I shoot the engine/bay with straight Simple Green. Then hose off. Let it run a few minutes before shutting down. As for your comments on "new engines", not exactly "new" but enough electronics-2004 4.0 Ranger, 2010 Explorer 4.6 3V, 2010 SH0.

 

I'm a firm believer that what harm I could be doing, getting rid of "crud" keeps engine temps down, let's you spot minor leaks, and for sure when someone looks at my 04 Ranger engine the comment is..."what year is this??"

[akirby]

To be safe you should cover the power box with plastic and don't use high pressure. Simple Green or Citrus degreaser works great.

[fordtech1]

Biggest issue I've seen has been water getting down in spark plug wells. Avoid that. The 3.5 has a engine cover that helps avoid that. A light wash will do what you need. Avoid direct contact with electrical boxes and components. People forget that when driving in the rain water gets in the engine compartment so it is protected pretty well. Just not designed as a submarine.