washing engine with cai

[jesh]

If i put a CAI on my p5 will i still be able to take it to the car wash and hose off the engine? Gotta keep the engine clean.

[garretts77]

I am not sure that you are supposed to do that regardless of a CAI or not. I think that the sudden temp change from a hot engine and cold water is bad. I could be wrong though. Plus the electricals don't much like water.

I think the best way to keep clean is with simple green and about half an hour to an hour of elbow grease.

[jaskel]

You shoulod be able too just fine, just dont use too high a pressure wash on it, and to save yourself time cover the air filter, and the alternator, otherwise sit tight for like three hours detailing the rest of the car to ensure everything is completely dried out

[Dimitrios]

I think that the sudden temp change from a hot engine and cold water is bad.

You should never wash a hot engine. The thermal shock will cause some problems to be sure.

Just cover up the electricals a bit, don't soak them and let it sit for a while.

I'd imagine that if you're going to the trouble of cleaning your engine bay, you're gonna be cleaning up other stuff too.

[Khoifather]

Man I had no problems cleaning my engine. I hosed it down, spray auto degreaser all over it, a minute later, spray it down again. Let it dry for a couple minutes, turn on my car and its fine. I even drove 25 miles right after I hosed it down before and no problem at all.

[jersey_emt]

I am not sure that you are supposed to do that regardless of a CAI or not. I think that the sudden temp change from a hot engine and cold water is bad. I could be wrong though. Plus the electricals don't much like water.

I think the best way to keep clean is with simple green and about half an hour to an hour of elbow grease.

Since when do you need to use elbow grease with simple green?

Just spray it on, wait a little bit, hose it off, and dry with a towel. If you're concerned about the electrical stuff tape some plastic around the battery and the spark plugs.

You're definitely right about the cold water on hot engine....don't wanna do that ;)

[EYEben53RV3D]

I had a nitrous line vent onto my header while the car was running with no problems. Nitrous is a little colder than water from a hose.

[jersey_emt]

I had a nitrous line vent onto my header while the car was running with no problems. Nitrous is a little colder than water from a hose.

You're very lucky your header didn't crack with a temperature extreme like that.

[EYEben53RV3D]

yup, there are exceptions to every rule.

[+ friction]

On a related note, is it safe to use an automatic car wash that sprays from the bottom to clean the undercarriage (with a CAI, that is)?

[elias1974]

most detail shops and even better car wahs/ oil change centers offer engine steams.
the steam is over all better since you get the hotter temps of steam without the saturation of direct water.
most of the grit and gunks drips right off.

[1 PHAT 5]

I have done this with everycar I have had. Best to use some type of degreaser then spray down with the water. Don't want to concentrate the blasts on anything vital. Again I have been doing this for years and never a problem. It's best to let your engine cool down.

[EYEben53RV3D]

also, should anything spark or short just let the engine dry completely and the water evaporate and it should all start back up.

[L8R]

when i washed my engine down, i removed anything i could, to get in the tight spots.

my battery, the battery holder, my strut bar, my intake, and wutever didnt need to really be in there.

more u take out, the more places u can reach to clean :)

dont forget to wipe everything down and start your car for a few to let the heat dry off some parts

[Mike R]

I've pressurewashed all of my cars, engine hot or cold. Never have had any problems. You should cover the filter though, the soap will wash off the filters oil. I make sure to keep the water away from the filter anyway.

[garretts77]

Sounds like it is up to you jesh. Personally I would say that in general it is not a great thing to put cold water on a hot engine. but there are people in this tread saying otherwise, so do what you will. I will continue using simple green and a cold engine.

[P5LawnMan]

Simple Green - Cold engine - Hose off - Let dry - Sometimes I use my leaf blower to help dry and then polish all the shinny stuff

[adc0642]

I have done this with everycar I have had. Best to use some type of degreaser then spray down with the water. Don't want to concentrate the blasts on anything vital. Again I have been doing this for years and never a problem. It's best to let your engine cool down.
Yep, I do the same, works great. Steam cleaning sounds good, I've never tried it, isn't that what used car places use to make the engine look brand new again??

[Mike R]

The directions on enginer degreaser say to make sure the engine is warm, and generally you want the engine slightly warm, not like 100 miles of driving hot. Just warm so the engine will dry quickly.

[sgryzko]

Go with simple green. I havent tried it but from what I've heard, it works very well and it is easy to do.