cleaning under the hood

Every spring season, the pollen becomes a nuisance to the city I live in. I just opened the hood of my truck and it is filthy. I want it to look new again.

My question is, is it okay to high pressure wash the engine under the hood? I used to drive a Celica with a Cold Air Intake and I ended up hydrolocking the engine which concerns me about spraying the dirt off the engine with high pressure water. I would like to clean the outside of my engine really soon but thought I should ask if anything under the hood can get damage from the high pressure washer. Thanks.

 

Simple green+pressure wash+let dry+CD-2 eng cleaner= Like new!

I spay my eng all the time no problems just be careful around the
intake and you should be good!

 

x2

 

I've heard others say they spray with the engine running but I wouldn't do it while the engine is hot. Hot engine + cold water can equal a cracked head or block

 

Been cleaning my engine compartment for years with greased lighting and a light mist from a hose. After it dries I apply a product from Gunk called Acra Seal which is a plastic spray and ignition sealer. Spray all the rubber and plastic parts and it will look like the day it was first sold. (just don't spray the drive belt or it may squeak)

 

engine degreaser, simple green, and a pressure washer works everytime.

 

So happy to hear I can spray it down... What should I avoid spraying?

 

IMHO power washers are a bad idea under the hood. Yes most modern electrical connections are designed to keep water out, but only at pressures that would normally be seen under the hood. No electrical connector can keep out the pressure of a power washer. If you must, be careful and you *should* be OK but you may end up with a sparkling engine that won't run. You have been warned. I wrap the alternator with a few plastic grocery bags and rubber bands, then very carefully use the garden hose on everything else. I'm really careful around the air injector intake and the battery. Wash it cold and run it after to dry off. Hope this helps you.

 

Avoiding spraying any of the pulleys with that pressure washer...