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      01-24-2016, 12:22 PM   #1
minmat11
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HELP! How to power wash a "supercharged" engine?

I used to power wash my engine bay before I supercharged my e85 but now I'm a little concerned that I might mess something up when I do it. I know I have to cover up my intakes filter, any loose wires, alternator and even the fuse box. Can someone tell me how I have to go about this now that there's a supercharger there? Here's a picture of my e85. Thanks guys!
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      01-24-2016, 12:36 PM   #2
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Covering your air filter is enough, just don't go crazy with the pressure. A little goes a long way. I have never coverd up anything in the engine compartment while pressure washing, never had any problems. I use low pressure though.
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      01-24-2016, 02:42 PM   #3
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Use some simple green or other degreaser and let is sit. Use low pressure and go easy around the electrical connectors. Start it up afterwords and let the engine get nice and hot to dry everything off.
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      01-24-2016, 02:44 PM   #4
minmat11
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I know how how to wash the engine (degreaser, rinsing, brushing, etc). All I want to know is if it's safe to do the same procedure with a supercharger. What should I avoid
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      01-24-2016, 02:53 PM   #5
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The SC is a sealed unit
What are your concerns?
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      01-24-2016, 06:49 PM   #6
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I've always been told to NEVER "power wash" your your engine! A garden hose spray is plenty of water power. Run your engine so its warm. Turn it off and cover anything electrical (and of course your filter as mentioned). Spray everything with Simple Green, let sit for a bit and rinse with a garden hose.
Yes, I get it, your just interested in hearing about possible supercharger issues.
But given the title of this thread, I thought I'd elaborate!

Best of Luck!
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      01-25-2016, 08:16 AM   #7
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Simple Green actually works for some people? For me it never did anything but give the area I sprayed it on a weird smell, the stuff was worthless.
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      01-25-2016, 09:31 AM   #8
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Personally I would just use a regular hose and some type of mild detergent (Simple Green or other) and a wet rag and avoid the high pressure. The time savings/benefit for the pressure washer isn't worth the possible problems to me.

Many years ago I worked at a Nissan dealership detailing cars (high school and college) and we almost always pressure washed the used car engines and then clear coated them. Virtually never had a problem I just don't have that much dirt to deal with that I can't just wash/scrub it off.
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      01-25-2016, 09:51 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by NickyC View Post
Simple Green actually works for some people? For me it never did anything but give the area I sprayed it on a weird smell, the stuff was worthless.
Yes, used at a heavy mix or full strength and let it sit for a 15-20 minutes and the oil/grease crime come right off. Maybe you got some grey market simple green from big lots and was not the real deal. What do you use that works for you? I like the foamy engine bright spray but don't' always have it on the shelf so use simple green since I always have a gallon jug on the shelf.
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      01-25-2016, 01:07 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pungo View Post
Yes, used at a heavy mix or full strength and let it sit for a 15-20 minutes and the oil/grease crime come right off. Maybe you got some grey market simple green from big lots and was not the real deal. What do you use that works for you? I like the foamy engine bright spray but don't' always have it on the shelf so use simple green since I always have a gallon jug on the shelf.
I bought a bottle from Auto Zone a few years back. Tried it on my wheels, on the engine, some spots on the garage floor, completely and utterly worthless. Just made everything sticky and smelly. lol
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      01-25-2016, 01:44 PM   #11
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The supercharger itself is pretty resistant against the pressure washer.
But don't aim it directly in the pulley.
In there is a hole in the centre of the pulley that is I think a spill hole for the oil.
That's the only thing I can think of when (mildly) pressure wash the twinscrew. (apart from your open air filter)

The most vulnerable parts are the sound dampening, connectors (mostly the area where wires come out), and tape/cloth wound around the wires.
I also use compressed air to dry the parts/ blow the water away. But that also can damage the sound dampening etc. but you can get water out of parts that are otherwise unreacheable.

When using a pressure washer always keep the nozzle 1m or so away from the engine.
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      01-25-2016, 02:32 PM   #12
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Have been covering entire engine compartment with various spray on engine cleaners and pressure washing for decades. Have had engines get wet before but nothing fatal or drastic. Do be aware of delicate parts.

My brother uses simple green in the bilge of his 24' Cobalt runabout (boat). Works well for keeping that clean and grease free. I have never cared for it.
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      01-25-2016, 03:41 PM   #13
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how about just don't do this.... please!
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      01-25-2016, 11:20 PM   #14
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I try to keep simple green off aluminum, but definitely rinse well if you do chose to use it.
I used industrial simple green once on 3 large industrial air compressor radiators, the damage became easily noticeable over the next weeks/months.
I have used hot, soapy pressure washers on engines for many years- only regretted doing so when I got over-zealous. And I think one should always allow the engine to cool several minutes before spraying. Cover what needs covering and don't spray what don't need spraying- you'll get it right (the 2nd time).

I am sure there are many strengths/formulations of simple green, the real industrial stuff works great when used properly, is pretty high alkaline tho. There are different simple green formulas, some is aluminum friendly (supposedly)- but this maybe is not what the OP asked Sorry OP.

Added-> Forgot to say, that is a sweet looking engine OP. I doubt it's THAT dirty...

Last edited by JohnG7; 01-25-2016 at 11:48 PM.. Reason: Forgot something
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      01-25-2016, 11:27 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
how about just don't do this.... please!
Beedub,

Are you suggesting don't powerwash, or don't use a degreaser, or don't wash at all?

I keep on hand dedicated engine bay microfiber towels. I dampen them as needed and wipe things down. If done every few car washes, the engine bay stays clean enough for me.

Salty
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      01-26-2016, 09:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltyNC View Post
Beedub,

Are you suggesting don't powerwash, or don't use a degreaser, or don't wash at all?

I keep on hand dedicated engine bay microfiber towels. I dampen them as needed and wipe things down. If done every few car washes, the engine bay stays clean enough for me.

Salty
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& I agree, don't power wash, it can lead to a sorts of electrical issues.
If you are going the degrease & wash down route, it should never be anything other than a free flowing hose.
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      01-27-2016, 01:08 AM   #17
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please don't power wash this OP..... its not worth it and actually all it will cause is lots of unsightly oxidation on the block, electrical problems that you will never trace etc.... clean it dry, it's long winded but can be done very successfully, then you just keep ontop of it.



the devil is in the detail.

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      01-27-2016, 11:28 AM   #18
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You really run K&N filters? At least it's clean on the outside - does look nice.
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      01-27-2016, 02:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HankDKrank View Post
You really run K&N filters? At least it's clean on the outside - does look nice.

they are the filter supplied by ESS... I'm more than happy with the job its doing having used them over the years in other applications. kn publish their filter data openly on their website too.

they are used in ESS applications to the AMS alpha kits, to the UGR 2000hp kits, right over to people like Gruppe M.... widely used in racing applications across the board too, this is more important to me rather than the internet experts.

they'll do...
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Last edited by Beedub; 01-27-2016 at 02:26 PM..
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