Community Forums

Affinityfan · 04-25-2018, 04:54 AM

I've owned my coach with a C12 for six yrs now and never washed the engine bay area. Is there any risk of using a pressure washer for this (cold engine of course).

hayward3411 · 04-25-2018, 05:43 AM

I will pass on my experience, I sprayed my Cummins 6.7 with some degreaser spray and used my power washer carefully. The red paint started to come off so I stopped using the power washer and finished up with a regular hose.

1doodadd · 04-25-2018, 07:21 AM

Use a plastic bag to cover your alternator so you don't damage it, and be carful around electrical connectors. Be sure not to spray at too high a pressure, I try to keep my coach engine compartment clean also

Podivin · 04-25-2018, 07:27 AM

Agreed, engine cleaner of some sort and low pressure sprayer to rinse it off.
High pressure sprayers can force water into places where you may not want it to go.

grindstone01 · 04-25-2018, 07:28 AM

If the motor is really dirty/grease, then get a spray can of engine degreaser from any auto parts store and follow the instructions. No powerwashing, just use regular water hose pressure. Same as post#2.

FIRE UP · 04-25-2018, 10:45 AM

These motors and all the components are a lot more hardy than you think. In the off road (construction) scenarios, they STEAM CLEAN them ALL THE TIME and there's no damage to ANY component. An those engines have the same components on them as your motor homes do. Alternators get wet all the time through heavy rain, fans picking up splashed water from the tires and spray that water all over the place and, yes, right at the alternator. If they were that vulnerable, engines would be quitting all over the place.

The only suggestion I might say is, don't to a heavy spraying of colder water on a heated engine as, the sensors don't like the rapid change of temp. Most are designed to take it but, why take a chance. I've cleaned engines for ever, including all the fire truck engines I was in service on for years and years and never, ever had any issues.
Scott

dennis45 · 04-25-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

These motors and all the components are a lot more hardy than you think. In the off road (construction) scenarios, they STEAM CLEAN them ALL THE TIME and there's no damage to ANY component. An those engines have the same components on them as your motor homes do. Alternators get wet all the time through heavy rain, fans picking up splashed water from the tires and spray that water all over the place and, yes, right at the alternator. If they were that vulnerable, engines would be quitting all over the place.

The only suggestion I might say is, don't to a heavy spraying of colder water on a heated engine as, the sensors don't like the rapid change of temp. Most are designed to take it but, why take a chance. I've cleaned engines for ever, including all the fire truck engines I was in service on for years and years and never, ever had any issues.
Scott

Affinityfan · 04-25-2018, 07:49 PM

Thanks. Everyone

tankcj · 04-25-2018, 07:57 PM

I used simple green and low pressure from a hose. Then I wiped it clean.

RayChez1 · 05-05-2018, 09:53 PM

I was a mechanical supervisor for the BNSF railroad and we washed the diesel engines on mechanical refrigerator cars with a degreaser first, then with a Hotsy power washer. It does not hurt those engines at all, and the same thing with the 3126-E on my coach. I spray the engine with a degreaser and then I get my electric black cat spray washer and wash the engine real good, plus I start the engine while I am spray washing it, that way it blows all the simple green through the CAC and the radiator from the inside out.

I never cover alternators or anything. Never had any problems with electrical components.

The engine on my coach looks like the day I bought it new.

charldk · 05-20-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

These motors and all the components are a lot more hardy than you think. In the off road (construction) scenarios, they STEAM CLEAN them ALL THE TIME and there's no damage to ANY component. An those engines have the same components on them as your motor homes do. Alternators get wet all the time through heavy rain, fans picking up splashed water from the tires and spray that water all over the place and, yes, right at the alternator. If they were that vulnerable, engines would be quitting all over the place.

The only suggestion I might say is, don't to a heavy spraying of colder water on a heated engine as, the sensors don't like the rapid change of temp. Most are designed to take it but, why take a chance. I've cleaned engines for ever, including all the fire truck engines I was in service on for years and years and never, ever had any issues.
Scott

Electrical system is water tight if the connectors are connected properly.

grindstone01 · 05-20-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charldk

Electrical system is water tight if the connectors are connected properly.

...

The word IF should be underlined and bold, especially in a 6 year old vehicle.

FIRE UP · 05-20-2018, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

...

The word IF should be underlined and bold, especially in a 6 year old vehicle.

100% of the electrical connectors in, on, around, under and affiliated with, the engine, engine compartment, transmission, etc. on just about every rolling vehicle (cars, trucks, motorhomes, motorcycles, space ships, submarines, and more) made in the last 20+ years, are made with double and triple weather tight seals. Just about everyone makes them. WeatherPak, Deutch, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and more make those connections. All of them can work completely under water. I use WeatherPak ones for most of my connections, if and when needed. They're fun to work with, IF , one has the correct tools to make it all work.
Scott

grindstone01 · 05-20-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

100% of the electrical connectors in, on, around, under and affiliated with, the engine, engine compartment, transmission, etc. on just about every rolling vehicle (cars, trucks, motorhomes, motorcycles, space ships, submarines, and more) made in the last 20+ years, are made with double and triple weather tight seals. Just about everyone makes them. WeatherPak, Deutch, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and more make those connections. All of them can work completely under water. I use WeatherPak ones for most of my connections, if and when needed. They're fun to work with, IF , one has the correct tools to make it all work.
Scott

...

As a retired GM Engineer, I'm very familiar with harness connectors and the rubber seal aging studies. Part of my job was durability testing and electrical connectors are prone to fail.