I've always been sketched out at power washing motor so i've never done it, however I have leaks and need to know which of the three common oil leaks I can eliminate, valve cover, oil filter housing, and rear main seal. Also I would like to know if it's more than just oil on my engine. So my question is what tips would you guys have for pressure washing the motor in my 98 xj. I plan to bag my cold air intake and computer and avoid spraying that general area but any other tips, do's, don'ts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Stay far away from the throttle body and all it's various sensors etc.
Actually, I wouldn't "power wash "anything, just use a degreaser and wash it off with a garden hose.... carefully. You can blow past the seals on electrical connectors with a power washer.

 

Full agreement, dont power wash, to much a risk of getting water where it shouldnt be. Use a degreaser, a bit of elbow grease with a stiff brush, then garden hose rinse. Foamy Engine Brite is a good product for this. I never power wash anything on my cars. Save the power washer for cleaning the sidewalk. Power washers on cars are the tools of Satan.

 

avoid it, too much electronics

or be like some other poster

Him " I power washed my Jeep engine and now it doesnt work, I thought these things were supposed to go in water ?"

Me "the connectors are water resistant, a power washer is over 100psi "

Just degrease it and wipe down with rags

Its acceptable to power wash some areas, but make sure you have plastic covering over most, if not all electrical connectors

 

More like over 1500 PSI, actually.

I PW my engines all the time, and I mean all the time, you just have to use common sense and caution. Pick a tip or adjust angle to 25 - 40 degrees. Pivoting attachment would be very helpful, although I don't have one. Maintain enough distance to avoid damage. Use degreaser de jour. Don't be shooting things that shouldn't be shot or cover/wrap susceptible parts. Run engine afterwards to dry everything out.

 

"maintain enough distance to avoid damage"

That's the key to this. I think it's one of those ...if you need to ask you shouldn't do it... things

 

I think it's one of those ...if you need to ask you shouldn't do it... things[/QUOTE]

A solid point. And i'm glad i've always avoided it, I think degreaser and hose will be the route I choose. Thanks for all the input. I tried watching some youtube stuff, one guy took half the components out to wash it the other just flew at it and sprayed computer, battery, everything so yeah no help there lol. Thanks again.

 

Formula 88 degreaser works great. Spent a whole day with a spray bottle, a bucket to dip the brushes, many different styles of brushes, and a garden hose it was clean as a whistle (until the oil leaks I was looking for showed their ugly heads..lol). It is safe on aluminum and wiring and cleans nicely.

 

I’ve used Simple Green on mine. Worked a lot better than Gunk or some other brand “engine cleaner”.