Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Entegra Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-13-2021, 09:51 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 257
Power washing engine and generator bay

I am considering power washing my engine and generator bay. Before doing something I might regret, I was hoping someone might have had previous experience. High pressure water with detergent on electrical components may not be a good idea...... Or there is a proper way to do it.
__________________
Jim & Carol C
2014 Anthem DLQ
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Guernsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-13-2021, 09:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,867
Particularly with a late model electronic engine, I WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER DOING IT.


Same for the generator.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
wolfe10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 10:05 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
LWBAZ's Avatar


 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 3,122
It must be do-able because a lot of owners do it. On the other hand...

When we sold our previous motorhome - a 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus - I decided to clean the engine compartment prior to turning it over to the new owners. As I recall I used two or three cans of Gunk Engine Cleaner, let it soak for ten or fifteen minutes, then hosed it off using a nozzle with a relatively fine spray pattern.

Worked fine, but when I was done and fired the engine to move the coach back into our RV garage, I noticed the alternator was hitting the chassis batteries with something like 15 or 16 volts. I took the coach out for a drive, hoping everything would return to normal after a good heat cycle allowed everything to dry out.

No such luck. Concluded the problem was the voltage regulator which is integrated into the alternator. It's ostensibly a replaceable part, but I couldn't find one readily available from any source, plus the new owners were coming to get the coach in a few days. Bottom line, I had the pleasure of buying a new alternator (not cheap, in case you're wondering), removing the old one, and installing the new one.

But hey, the shiny new alternator looked really nice inside that nice clean engine compartment!
__________________
Larry & Amy Beckner
Scottsdale, AZ
2022 Newmar Super Star 4061
LWBAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 02:19 PM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
Cruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 5,641
We pressure wash lots of equipment at work and haven't had any issues. I've washed off my coach and Jeep engines with a hot pressure washer numerous times. Obviously you don't shove the wand right up against an alternator or anything else electrical but those items do take a fair amount of mist, which they get anyway from driving in the rain (or blasting Jeeps through muddy puddles ). I just keep away from sensitive areas with a direct blast.
__________________
Mark & Leann Quasius
2016 Cornerstone 45A
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Cruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 02:51 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Argosy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MI
Posts: 2,130
A generator is in a closed compartment with controlled air flow for a reason, they don't do well when wet. I'd like to see mine cleaner, but I really like to see it making power. I don't know how you could pressure wash it in such a confined space and not end up soaking the generator.


The engine bay is more open and most of the wiring is higher on the engine, which is where you'd be spraying. All you have to do is hit a connector just right and the seal wouldn't keep the water out. It's not worth it IMHO.
Argosy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 03:02 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
Wash away, just stay back, so the pressure doesn't blow things apart.

You run your generator in heavy ran at 60 MPH, its getting soaked, so is your engine.

Take you car for a ride in a rain storm. Come how and open the hood, wet engine.

Some air cooled generators are mounted behind the rear tires. They get wet.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 04:09 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
brobox's Avatar
 
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 31,569
Like Cruser, I have been pressure misting both compartment for years. I spay everything down with Awesome Cleaner, then just mist the compartment with the pressure washer. No need to blast anything electrical.
__________________
Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
brobox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 05:30 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Mwoodofd's Avatar


 
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Las Colinas, Texas
Posts: 2,029
I use the awesome cleaner too, and then rinse like others here with the power washer. I am not cleaning electrical wiring and plugs.

I did wash out my electrical bay at the passenger back one time a while back. Don't do that. My lights were strobing for a while - had to dry it out with a dryer and fans.
__________________
Mark & Debra Wood, Las Colinas, TX.
2013 Entegra Aspire 42RBQ
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4XE
2013 Thor Challenger 37DT - Sold
Mwoodofd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 06:50 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Highland NY
Posts: 3,880
I have pressure washed the engine compartment of every vehicle I have owned, including 4 motorhomes and three race cars. Never had an issue. Like Chuck, I use Totally awesome and or purple power and spray if off with my Ryobi PW
__________________
Bruce, Lisa and the pups, Charlie, Opie and Rebel
2021 Cornerstone Y Azure
2018 Anthem, Victory Blue Sold, 2019 Ram Laramie 1500
buddy110 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 09:13 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfe10 View Post
Particularly with a late model electronic engine, I WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER DOING IT.


Same for the generator.
AMEN!!!
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2021, 05:32 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 257
Thanks to all for saving me from myself.....
__________________
Jim & Carol C
2014 Anthem DLQ
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Guernsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2021, 06:54 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Dr. Mike's Avatar


 
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 536
May I suggest an alternative?

Get a bucket, a sponge, and Dawn dish soap.
On a cold engine, spray a fine mist to wet the entire compartment down.
Wash, yes, by hand, the engine and surrounding areas making sure you do not get the soap on the paint.
Rinse with a fine mist
Let air dry
Dr. Mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
engine, generator, power



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Any Cautions on pressure washing the 8.3 engine bay? dougw2007 Cummins Engines 16 05-21-2020 06:49 PM
Power issues, no shore power, no generator power. Only some when engine running Goebs Fleetwood Owner's Forum 13 03-25-2020 07:06 AM
Washing the outside of my Bay Star Curiosity Newmar Owner's Forum 17 10-31-2017 04:36 AM
Pressure Washing Engine/Generator Compartments RJOL Newmar Owner's Forum 5 08-09-2016 02:26 AM
Power washing engine starts fire! Geezer80 iRV2.com General Discussion 14 04-26-2012 01:52 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.