Anyone shampooed the engine on 98 corolla?

[zoza1982]

HI guys, 10 months ago I saw my the dealership of my other car( MItsubishi) powerwashing the whole engine ( from a little distance ) and spraying water all over the engine and he said not to worry about anything, most of the newer cars and its electronics is very good sealed.

I repeated the same process after 10 months, and really I had not any issues spraying water over eletrical components and alternator. No check engine ...no nothing.

My question is....how safe is to do the same with 1998 Corolla Le ( my second car) ? Is there anything to worry about? ( e.g. Alternator is on very top - exposed)

Anyone had experience?

Thanks all

[boredstudent3]

too bad ur in the USA.

i'm a professional detailer but in Toronto, Canada.

just make sure u cover the alternator, intake, fuse boxes, and spark plugs (top of engine).

i don't think u need to cover anything else. don't point the pressure washer (PW) too close to the engine bay. keep a distance, use a garden hose if ur scared.

what product u going to use? I can suggest either Optimum Power Clean or Meguiar's APC+

[zoza1982]

Originally Posted by boredstudent3

too bad ur in the USA.

i'm a professional detailer but in Toronto, Canada.

just make sure u cover the alternator, intake, fuse boxes, and spark plugs (top of engine).

i don't think u need to cover anything else. don't point the pressure washer (PW) too close to the engine bay. keep a distance, use a garden hose if ur scared.

what product u going to use? I can suggest either Optimum Power Clean or Meguiar's APC+

Huh.... :-) what a small world. I am from Toronto, Canada too...used to live in Danforth Area. Close to the bridge. ( Bloor and Bayview)

Yes I do live in USA for quite a while, about 4 years.

Thanks for your advice. I will definitely keep those things covered like you advised.
I am not using any special product...just bought something in Autozone store for my Mitsubishi...I forgot the name...one spray is for degrease and second one is detailer spray. ( like a shine )

Thanks one more time.

[boredstudent3]

i once lived in the US: Oklahoma and Indiana

i'm far away from your grounds in Toronto, more like Markham.

use clear plastic wrap (saran wrap) and stuff the intake with a towel or wrap it up with saran wrap as well...

u bought Gunk engine degreaser?

is the detail spray "CD-2"...that is a good OTC engine detail spray that people use. i'm pretty sure it's aerosol so u can get into tight areas and around hoses easily

[Kyle Hamelin]

Want to know the easiest way? Go to your nearest Toyota dealer and ask for an engine shampoo..... It's 20$ man and takes 30 minutes.

[militarydave]

I Plan to do this on my corolla this weekend. I just bought the car and there's sand, caked on oil, dirt, sludge, etc.

here's how I do mine:

1. I warm the engine up to operating temperature (a quick drive around the block for example). come home, open the hood, let it air dry for several minutes. since the motor is not scorching hot, its warm enough to the touch and perfect to accept the engine degreaser.

2. Get a trash bag, or plastic cover or something to cover up: 1. the battery (terminals and all. put the bag completely over the battery. 2. bag up the alternator (since its right there... its not too hard). with another bag make sure to mask any open circuit pigtail connector, socket, fuse box, plugs on the electric fans that are openly exposed.

3. there are several good products that can be found at any local auto parts stores, such as: "Gunk Engine Clean, CRC Engine Degreaser, Super Tech, Foamy engine bright, degreaser gel, etc. etc. " buy 1 (or 2 if really dirty) and spray with common sense (dont directly BLAST it at grommets or anything like that).

4. wipe excess degreaser off PAINT. the sh!t will eat through your clearcoat or leave some nasty "waterspots" on a dark colored car. (its bad on silver.... trust me. i know)

5. let the foam, or gel, or mousse (lol... whatever the can shoots out) do its thing (eat through the grease/dirt/etc).

6. use a garden hose with a spray nozzle (or use your thumb) or a pressure washer and blast away, not aiming directly at the electronic componets, wires, relays, etc.

7. Let it dry (with hood open)

8. OPTIONAL: I have an air compressor that I fire up to blast water out of any crevices (spark plug boot holes, hoses, etc) to fully dry the engine.

9. REMOVE THE BAGS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!!! (I'VE SEEN BAGS WRAPPED AROUND PULLEYS CUZ NUMBNUTS HAVE JUST TURNED THE CAR ON WITHOUT REMOVING THE BAG OFF THE ALTERNATOR). THEN THEY'RE THERE DIGGING THE CLOGGED UP BAG WITH A RAZOR BLADE AND SCREWDRIVER TRYING TO CUT IT LOOSE.

10. granted you're not an idiot and remove all the bags like you should, fire up the car, once it its completely dry. drive it around. you can then shine it up with armor all or turtle wax on the plastic parts if you really feel like showing it off.


i clean my engines on all my cars on a regular basis. they're so clean you can eat off them!


hope this helps.


-dave

[Milky]

i have used both my pressure washer and a self wash car wash. never once have i bagged anything up or covered anything. i have not had a problem with either of my cars. hell, my alternator (on my miata, its about 5-6in from the ground lol) gets drenched anytime it rains. it has not had a problem. also the batter on my corolla is relocated to the trunk and it comes stock in the trunk on the miata. hehe.

as for soaps, i like to use 2;1 water / simple green. let it sit for a few minutes. then pressure wash it off. wont hurt paint unless you let it dry on there.

[militarydave]

another things is that certain car wash places even offer "degreaser" on their pressure washers on their menu when you put in coins or bills. I too, have washed engines at car washes, however, i dont like being pressed for time so i do it at home.

but again, some car washes do have the degreaser option, then you can select back to rinse and clean away.

good luck!

[militarydave]

was your engine cover painted?

[militarydave]

ah... i see. well i'll take off the engine cover then and just wash the engine. i went as far as taking off the air box, battery, and throttle body.

that way i can clean deep down inside.

[gmansixfo]

It's safe, I detail for Lithia Nissan/Hyundai. I own a 98 corolla and have power washed my engine bay a million times without covering anything. You just have to be careful to hold the pressure nozzle at a safe distance and don't apply unnecessary pressure onto any particular component.

my bay: