Is it OK to powerwash the my SW2 Engine?

TIMSPEED · 09-30-2004, 05:37 PM

The entire car is CLEAN, except the engine is COVERED in a layer of dust. Can I safely take this down to the coin-op carwash and powerwash the engine/trans? Anything I should be careful NOT to spray (Other than the DIS Coils, obviously)

BlackBirdRacing · 09-30-2004, 06:24 PM

yes

be careful

Razorbak · 09-30-2004, 06:26 PM

I would recommend using a garden hose with a light spray feature rather than any type of power sprayer. Spray everything with a little Simple Green degreaser first, and let it soak for about 15 minutes before spraying everything off. I usually cover the DIS coilpacks with a piece of Saran wrap or a sandwich baggie, held in place by a piece of string or a large rubber band, to keep the coils dry.

TIMSPEED · 09-30-2004, 06:50 PM

Well, if it comes down to it, I'll just pull the coil packs OFF, since it's easy enough. Then I can spray the block/bellhousing to my hearts content.

wolfman · 09-30-2004, 07:56 PM

I would likewise recommend AGAINST using a pressure washer. There are ALOT of connectors under the hood that while they are "weatherproof" to an extent, they CAN be compromised by a high pressure spray. Why invite trouble. A spray of Simple Green or Castrol Superclean followed a few minutes later (COLD ENGINE!) by a GENTLE clean water rinse should do nicely.

sierrap615 · 09-30-2004, 11:38 PM

don't use a pressure washer, that would be very bad. on older cars from the 60s or 70s, this may have worked. but on today's cars the damage would two fold. first there are countless sensors and modules and solinoids and blahblahblah, much more then any older car. second, and more importently, all the wiring connection have weather seals, which work great normally. but with a lot of pressure, not only will the weather seals fail, when the pressure returns to normal, water becomes trapped inside the seals and connectiors, and its not that it may corrode, its that it WILL corrode.

BlackBirdRacing · 10-01-2004, 09:26 AM

yeah I use simple green all the time.. I forgot to mention that.

It rules!!

eljefino · 10-01-2004, 12:48 PM

Maybe a gentle steam clean would be better. Most road grime is held on with at least some oil. The less water, the better-- and a hot engine block mixed with hot steam and a stiff brush could be the ticket.

Kevin94SL · 10-01-2004, 02:01 PM

I recommend simple green, letting it sit for a few minutes and then a gentle rinse with the garden hose.

09-30-2004, 05:37 PM	#1
TIMSPEED Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 956 TIMSPEED's Photos 1998 SL2 1998 SW2	Is it OK to powerwash the my SW2 Engine? The entire car is CLEAN, except the engine is COVERED in a layer of dust. Can I safely take this down to the coin-op carwash and powerwash the engine/trans? Anything I should be careful NOT to spray (Other than the DIS Coils, obviously)

09-30-2004, 07:56 PM	#5
wolfman Super Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 12,066 wolfman's Photos	I would likewise recommend AGAINST using a pressure washer. There are ALOT of connectors under the hood that while they are "weatherproof" to an extent, they CAN be compromised by a high pressure spray. Why invite trouble. A spray of Simple Green or Castrol Superclean followed a few minutes later (COLD ENGINE!) by a GENTLE clean water rinse should do nicely. ... Old Saturns never die, people KILL them, so check your damn oil! "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein

09-30-2004, 11:38 PM	#6
sierrap615 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Downers Grove, Illinois Posts: 2,538 sierrap615's Photos	don't use a pressure washer, that would be very bad. on older cars from the 60s or 70s, this may have worked. but on today's cars the damage would two fold. first there are countless sensors and modules and solinoids and blahblahblah, much more then any older car. second, and more importently, all the wiring connection have weather seals, which work great normally. but with a lot of pressure, not only will the weather seals fail, when the pressure returns to normal, water becomes trapped inside the seals and connectiors, and its not that it may corrode, its that it WILL corrode. ... Formerly - Saturn of Downers Grove Parts Department Current - Castle Chevy in Villa Park Parts Department EPA 608 Certification EPA 609 Certification

10-01-2004, 02:01 PM	#9
Kevin94SL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,602 Kevin94SL's Photos 2006 ION-3 Sedan	I recommend simple green, letting it sit for a few minutes and then a gentle rinse with the garden hose. ... Kevin

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09-30-2004, 06:24 PM	#2
BlackBirdRacing Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: sycamore, IL Posts: 939 BlackBirdRacing's Photos 1995 SC2	yes be careful

09-30-2004, 06:26 PM	#3
Razorbak Master Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,860 Razorbak's Photos 1996 SL2	I would recommend using a garden hose with a light spray feature rather than any type of power sprayer. Spray everything with a little Simple Green degreaser first, and let it soak for about 15 minutes before spraying everything off. I usually cover the DIS coilpacks with a piece of Saran wrap or a sandwich baggie, held in place by a piece of string or a large rubber band, to keep the coils dry.

09-30-2004, 06:50 PM	#4
TIMSPEED Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 956 TIMSPEED's Photos 1998 SL2 1998 SW2	Well, if it comes down to it, I'll just pull the coil packs OFF, since it's easy enough. Then I can spray the block/bellhousing to my hearts content.

10-01-2004, 09:26 AM	#7
BlackBirdRacing Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: sycamore, IL Posts: 939 BlackBirdRacing's Photos 1995 SC2	yeah I use simple green all the time.. I forgot to mention that. It rules!!

10-01-2004, 12:48 PM	#8
eljefino Master Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Standish Maine Posts: 5,788 eljefino's Photos 1995 SW1 2000 SL1	Maybe a gentle steam clean would be better. Most road grime is held on with at least some oil. The less water, the better-- and a hot engine block mixed with hot steam and a stiff brush could be the ticket.

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