Engine. To wash or not to wash?

I wash my engine every time I wash the truck and use the high pressure wand at the car wash and at home with little regard of what I'm washing. I've been doing this on my15 Camry, my traded in 12 Taco and now my 18 Taco. I have never had an issue.

 

Hmph.

I think it's the "already a hot taco" part that threw me off.

Never mind.

Carry on.

 

Yup- camping and living in the country where rodents frequent my engine compartment made me give up trying to have a sparkly engine - rodent repelling is a priority, because there’s no way to keep them out. I do wash it with a diluted solution of simple green as mentioned above, then put pepper on it.

 

I am 58 and have washed just about every vehicle's engine bay that I have ever owned at the car wash!
And will continue to do so.

 

Dow Bathroom Cleanser, you know, the scrubbing bubbles type, works really well. Spray on warm not hot engine, let sit for 15 mins, hose off.

 

One thing I'm leary of is spraying the battery and getting acid overspray residue on the paint. I wipe mine down.

 

If your battery is leaking acid it needs to be replaced and not left in the truck. Its a serious safety hazard and means the battery is damaged.

The “leaking” that leads to most of the corrosion around the terminals is gaseous leak not liquid. Its hydrogen gas leaking out of the battery.

 

It doesn't have to leak. Look at the corrosion on the terminals. It even can burn a cut on your hand.

 

Battery acid is inside the battery. If it’s on the outside it means the battery has broken and it’s leaking highly caustic flammable liquid all over. So yes, if acid is coming out there is a leak and you need to remove and dispose of the battert right away.

Common corrosion is caused by gas leaking out of the terminal not battery acid.

You should keep the battery clean and free from corrosion.

 

I use a mixture of baking soda to neutralize the acidic copper sulfate from the hydrogen gas and wipe it. I do not spray it away to contaminate adjacent surfaces for obvious reasons.
Most all batteries have this and it's not a sign it needs to be replaced asap.

 

I have used the pressure washer at the car wash for the last 20 years on all of my vehicles and never had an issue (I only clean the engine bay 3-4 times a year). I am somewhat careful but I do not cover anything in advance.

 

The baking soda mixture will indeed temperately clean and neutralize white acid residue around your battery terminals, but today's batteries should not be producing this as it is an indication there is a leak around the terminal. Without the slightest hesitation, Toyota warranty replaced a 2 year old battery in my 2012 Tacoma because of this. The original battery had a 36 month warranty if I recall correctly and of course when they put the new one in, the warranty clock reverts back to the original battery date, so just 12 months on it. That truck has been traded in at this point, but I keep an eye on the battery of my new 2018. If I see any acid build up, I'll request a replacement.

 

I like a clean and tidy engine compartment. When I have time I usually use a rag and 409 to clean up the engine cover, hoses etc. Maybe once a year or so, I'll do the full blown clean up using some simple green/water followed by light brushing the stubborn areas like the groves in the air hoses and such then a good rinse off with a hose and a final wipe-down clean up. I don't mask components off but I am conscious the electronics and delicate areas, and always let the engine cool an hour or so if it had been running.

 

Ive dried out a few distributors in my younger years. While at car wash.

 

I do same set up but with pressure washer , but just go light with the pressure , it rinses quicker with less water than a hose . Biggest thing is with any chemical always do on cold engine . cover alternater and avoid hitting electronics, after rinsing everything I let truck sit for 15 running then go for a drive to let the engine dry itself out never had a issue doing it that way .