Power washing diesel engine. Precautions to take?

[Reprobate]

Originally Posted by Cat320

I don't use a pressure washer anywhere on my MH. Regardless of how 'weak' the stream of water is, it might still drive water where it should not be, either inside or outside.

Those pesky pressure washers sure have a mind of their own

[2cyber71]

Don’t wash any Diesel engine, period

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by wolfe10

I sure wouldn't do it. Too many electronic connections, pulley/fan bearings, alternator, etc.


Use a can of WD-40 and a roll of paper towels to degrease/clean.

I like to use, on all our farm diesels and others, an air hose with a 3’ copper blower attachment which does a pretty good job at removing diesel accumulated dust. I also am not a fan of hosing down the complete engine, but I know many probably do it. Selected areas may be ok.

[frozen]

I began pressure washing all my automotive engines when points and distributors went away. I use a 2500 psi washer but with a wide pattern nozzle and I am selective about where I direct the spray. Several gas and diesel engines without any problems. I wash them often so there's never a difficult buildup.

[USMCRET]

Originally Posted by timjet

I gently pressured washed my Cummins ISL and got several warning lights after. The lights went away after the engine warmed up but I won't ever pressure wash again.

Solid input. Thank you.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by timjet

I gently pressured washed my Cummins ISL and got several warning lights after. The lights went away after the engine warmed up but I won't ever pressure wash again.

What were the warnings ?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by 2cyber71

Don’t wash any Diesel engine, period

Yuck, that could turn out a mess over time.

[Reprobate]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

Solid input. Thank you.

If you are nervous about washing your engine, then have a detailer do it. They wash engines all the time, and yes, most will use a pressure washer.
Then for extra precautions, just let it dry before starting.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by Reprobate

If you are nervous about washing your engine, then have a detailer do it. They wash engines all the time, and yes, most will use a pressure washer.

You are correct. Also to note, when you buy a used vehicle, engine and all components are spotless because they’ve been power washed.

I do believe that if care is taken, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally use water on the engine although I seldom do it. There are some parts of the engine that using water occasionally probably doesn’t hurt but if you do it often enough, it may harm things like the alternator and electrical connections. When and if they ever fail, you’d have to ask yourself if the water could have contributed over time to the failure.

[Reprobate]

Originally Posted by Country Road

... There are some parts of the engine that using water occasionally probably doesn’t hurt but if you do it often enough, it may harm things like the alternator and electrical connections. When and if they ever fail, you’d have to ask yourself if the water could have contributed over time to the failure.

The problem with that line of thought is that it can be applied to about anything. Dirt, dust, oil/fuel seepage resulting in grime buildup. Too little engine use or too much contributing to premature failure of some kind. Where do you stop?
I have enough real worries without inventing what ifs in my head

[blueeyedme]

Why? I've honestly never washed any engine in my entire life.

[Jim_HiTek]

Originally Posted by blueeyedme

Why? I've honestly never washed any engine in my entire life.

Because when you're going to work on one, it's very nice to have a clean place to do repairs. Helps to see what's what too. And practically everything I've ever changed or repaired on an engine had instructions that said to not let dirt get into whatever I'm replacing or the hole it goes into. For that reason alone, I spray with Simple Green - Purple the engine and rad and then use the garden hose to rinse it off before work.

[USMCRET]

Did the deed today. I left the pressure washer in the garage and went with garden hose. It looks like new again.

Thanks for all the input.

[Rzrbrn]

I have always used a degreaser or Dawn soap, then a pressure nozzle on my garden hose. My engines have always been very clean. Dirty engines are likely to catch fire, as can be seen with so many vehicles burned out along southern highways. I do let the engine dry out before I start it.