What do i have to cover if i'm going to spray down my engine?

[RGdsmNewb]

going to use a pressure washer / degrease.... do i want to just put a bag over the fuse box ??

 

[90 TSI FWD]

When I pressure washed / degreased my engine bay, all I covered was my K&N filter..

..I just noticed you have a 2g, so I don't know of any exposed fuse boxes.

 

[RGdsmNewb]

I just dont want my car to not start or something and be stuck in the wash bay, that would suck haha. ill just cover my K&N i guess. My fuse box is covered. Do i have to cover alt / battery?

 

[just2asian]

i usually just put a plastic bag over the filter. you should be good. Although personally I don't like the idea of high pressure washing. I would personally just use some simple green, a brush, sponge, elbow grease and a hose. My engine bay was filthy when I first got it, but i just took about an hour with a brush and now it's squeaky clean.

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

I say either a flamethrower... Or what Just2asian said.

 

[chico904]

Cover the filter if its an open element, alternator, perhaps the battery, just don't go crazy spraying anything electrical and you will be fine.

 

[rich3389]

I usually cover my filter with a bag, and the altinator with tin foil, and im good to go

 

[VanIsleDSM]

you don't need to cover the filter.. just don't spray directly at it.. won't hurt it to get wet.. the fusebox will also be fine..

The only thing you should worry about covering is the CAS.. they don't like water.. and have some paper towels or compressed air to get any water out of your spark plug wells before starting.. I've pressure washed literally thousands of engines, you'll be fine.

 

[sleepy740]

if you are worried about the car starting afterwards, just keep it running

 

[chico904]

if you are worried about the car starting afterwards, just keep it running

You can't do this with all cleaners, some state to use on a cold engine with engine off

 

[sleepy740]

You can't do this with all cleaners, some state to use on a cold engine with engine off

when i detail cars at my dealership, i just use a degreaser w/the power washer...

i always leave the engine on, just because you never know...

always works for me!

 

[VanIsleDSM]

degreasers are more likely to damage things when they dry out.. that's why some say not to use it on a hot engine..

 

[wvturbo2]

when i detail cars at my dealership, i just use a degreaser w/the power washer...

i always leave the engine on, just because you never know...

always works for me!

You have your own dealership ? I thought when pressure washing the car it was best to turn off car and let it cool down some and then let most of the water dry before starting it back up?

 

[bomexe]

at the detail shop i work at we just degrease n pressure wash and dont really cover anything but cover ## filter and not blastin the piss outa the distributor is a good idea

 

[sleepy740]

You have your own dealership ? I thought when pressure washing the car it was best to turn off car and let it cool down some and then let most of the water dry before starting it back up?

no i dont, i am a salesman/detailer...

i used to turn off the car when i would pressure wash them, but my manager told me to keep the car running...
i dunno tho, its always worked for me