Hi All:

I am shipping my car back to the US very soon, which unfortunately requires it to be beyond SPOTLESS.

Question: Is it ok to pop the hood and pressure wash the engine compartment? I figure it is since everything is nicely sealed up, and of course the battery isn't even IN the engine compartment.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated before I damage something!

EDIT: I have a 2005 MCS if that changes things. Also, I'm not talking about blowing water straight into the intercooler or anything =p Just wanna get any dirt out that might be hiding that would cause me to fail an agriculture test. It's very strict!

 

I'm no expert on the subject, but I think power washing the engine comparment seems like a bad idea. Something about blowing high amounts of water into a tight space, filled with hoses and electrical wires just scares me.

 

You CAN do it, just make sure you don't blow directly into the air filter, nor into any electronic device, hold the blower in about 30 to 40cm distance to all parts, and you will have to use some "sealant" afterwards so the parts won't start rusting at once!!! There are special "waxes" for sealing the parts...

It's often done like this here in germany, so, no problem!!


EDIT: make sure ignition etc ist turned OFF!!

 

Sounds like steam might be better for the engine rather than straight water. Just gotta find a place that does it =p. Thanks for the replies!

 

yes you can wash your engine

 

The best way would be to use a sponge and some cleaner, then rinse it off with some "normal" water...but it is the hardest job of all...so, use presure washer and be happy...

 

I've had some success using Simple Green and a water hose with a sprayer attachment to rinse it all off.

As far as agricultural dirt goes, I would be more concerned about dirt collected under the car. For example, whenever I change the rear tires I've noticed that dirt always collects on rear trailing arms.

 

"Simple Green and a water hose with a sprayer attachment to rinse it all off."
That's what I use and it work great...you don't need no stinking pressure washer...unless your engine compartment is a total mess.

 

i use my 6.5hp power washer on the engine 2-3 times a year, with a bit of care. Just don't spray the intercooler.

 

I dont think ive ever cleaned under there. Just curious here, where are you shipping your car from? What are the going rates? I kind of want to take a vacation to the Nurburgring, with Mayumi of course.

 

Just out of curiousity, how do cars sent home from a Euro delivery program get cleaned? We had no problem with our BMW, even though it was in the middle of the very serious hoof-and-mouth disease outbreak a few years ago.

 

I have spraye dmine off a few times. I did try to keep the wand a decent disnce away as mentioned. I figure that with the hood scoop, water is getting all over the place top down anyway so they had to design things to take some water. That reminds me, the other day, it was about 38-40 degrees and raining really hard and boy was my car pulling like crazy, like getting a constant cryogenic blast on the IC. Too bad the weather was too bad to really enjoy it.

 

i have a pressure wash here at my store. along with a steamer. but then again. you're way over there so it's useless. hahah
i've never washed an engine before..O.O
scary thought.

 

@Nabeshin:

I'm shipping my MINI directly from my home in Kaiserslautern, Germany to Orlando, Florida to the tune of $2065. I've had it since 2005, so it's not a dealer delivery... purely private shipping.

About cleaning: Thanks for all the tips concerning washing the engine compartment. I'll get on that this week after my new tires get put on!

 

I've been using a presure washer on my engine compartments since the mid 60's. Especially on cars I showed. Have never had a problem, use common sense where you put the water/soap/rinse. Let the engine cool off a little before you hose it down. The problem of using a cleaner and hose in your drive way is the petrolium products you put in your drive way and street. The car washes capture the crud. Steam is often harder on you under hood parts than the pressure washer is. Auto dealers steam cars they are selling, not their own cars.

 

I've wash engine many time, just make sure you cover the electronics and intake (specially p flow) with plastic bags then you should be fine. Remember to drive the car for a while after wash so the water will dry out.