Engine cleaning

MirandaAutoSpa

MirandaAutoSpa

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Hi Guys
I cleaned a vehicle a few weeks ago, and it included a engine cleaning. It was an older Ford Taurus. She called and interestingly booked another full detail but she mentioned not to clean the engine, because last time we did it, she had to replace the spark plugs because they got water in them, so said her mechanic.
We are really careful about spraying down the engine with our pressure washer, we basically only rinse the grime off, degrease with Megs Super Degreaser then lightly rinse everything off and dress. we have down this on 100's of cars.
Are certain cars more susceptible to having problems if the engine is rinsed out? I thought engine compartments could take water with out problems.
Of course we don't soak the engine in every crevice, just the top and edges of the compartment to blow out leafs and dirt.
Has any one had similar problems, any tips or ideas?
 
I hope you guys are insured especially if your doing 100s of cars. What is your procedure just apc spray and pressure sprayer? What precautions do you guys do?

I am not as experienced as you guys but I always make sure the engine is cold, atelast 30mins to cool, but i prefer +4 hours. use plastic bags on the air intake and alternator then spray WD-40 on any electrical part including spark plugs.(WD-40 will help replale water Not that I can always find these parts on every car. I just use a regular hose to rinse down and then a leaf blower to dry everything and run the car for 20mins on idle. I think a pressure washer is to aggressive for engine parts. If you guys have so many cars consider a hose or a steam cleaner and a air compressor or leaf blower.
 
My guess would be that some cars are more susceptible. I have a 96' Prelude VTEC. I had the same thing happen to it. I cleaned the engine with my pressure washer and when I drove it, it stuttered when I stepped on the throttle. I had my mechanic check it out and he said there was water in the sparkplug chambers. I told him what I did and he told me engines and pressure washers don't mix.:laughing:
I haven't used the pressure washer on any of my engines since. As it turns out, I have been able to get by with Simple Green and regular pressure hose.
 
Cover sensitive parts dry with compressed air. You can also run the engine, so you know when your starting to get into trouble.
 
Thanks Guys for the info. I would think that A regular hose would put out just as much water, because we only rinse off and not close to the engine either. So really it is the water pressure at a distance that blows all the junk out not so much the volume of water. But I guess WD-40 would be a great idea for displacing water. Also blowing out with our leaf blower is a good idea.
 
Oh yeah and we licensed are insured, I wouldn't be in business if we weren't. I an really careful and thorough with our detailing. But every car is different, you just never know what might happen.
 
what kind of insurance do you have? I just started up a mobile car detail/car wash but I can't find any insurance for a mobile car wash.

for me removing gunk water flowing out but also apc and a brush. I like long handle fender brushes, paint brushes and a Daytona speed brush. sometimes the grease is to thick apc isn't enough so i need to wipe with a terry cloth.
 
We have All State, They had no problem insuring us, we are covered for about $5000, which I think is more than enough for the vehicles we do.
 
I know that several models use coil packs and other electronic systems that are SUPER susecptiable to water. I drive an Audi, and I rarely use any stream of water, even a light one. I wrap parts like my coil packs, altenator, etc with foil or tape them off prioe to any spray. I know it is probably overboard, but i dont want to pay the $$$ to fix it.
 
Quattro3.2 said:
I know that several models use coil packs and other electronic systems that are SUPER susecptiable to water. I drive an Audi, and I rarely use any stream of water, even a light one. I wrap parts like my coil packs, altenator, etc with foil or tape them off prioe to any spray. I know it is probably overboard, but i dont want to pay the $$$ to fix it.
Click to expand...

Good to know, I think we will be even MORE carefully, perhaps we will use a No Rinse solution and simply clean the top and use the water to just blow out the leafs and gunk where the windshield wipers are.
 
Be careful with steam around electrical components of any sort. The steam can migrate into connections and components the same as high pressure water can. The safest way to clean around electrical components is to just cover them or avoid spraying near them all together. And if an area is really dirty and you can reach it you are probably better off spraying apc and wiping off as much of the gunk/grime as possible before just trying to blast if off with water.
 
How's it going Miranda? Ive just got a question about the insurance you mentioned. You said that you were covered for 5000, right? Well if you don't mind me asking what type of premeium do y'all have?

With my insurance, heck I don't even know the name of the company, just a local agency. Anyhow my coverage is for 100g and we dished out 1400 for the year. Also the package we have Is considered garage insurance which does not allow us to even move the clients vehicles.

Soo how were you able to sell your business to your agent, and get what I also feel, the appropriate coverage??
 
Rather than use a power sprayer or even a garden hose with water gushing out, why not try using a garden sprayer. The kind that holds a couple of gallons, pumps up the pressure and has a long wand.

That's what I use and you're able to direct the mist of water where you want it, then spray your APC+, agitate with a brush, mist all the dirt and grime off, leaf blower to dry and then your dressing.

I live in an apartment so that's the only choice I have.
 
I always leave the engine running, and use my air gun to dry before shutting the engine off. Lately, I've been using my steam cleaner to be even safer. I actually think the steam does a better job anyways. :dblthumb2:
 
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