My Z's engine bay always gets really dusty. I try to wipe it down with a wet rag when I wash my car, but it doesn't seem to help much. I'm always tempted to just hose it out, but I wasn't sure if this could damage anything. I don't think it would, because I figured the engine bay would come sealed off from the factory if it did. So, is it ok to hose out your engine bay? I searched around the forums, but I didn't find an answer. Sorry if its a stupid question!

 

I do our cars about twice a year with some degreaser and a garden hose. Make sure engine is not hot- warm is ok.

We have a 99 Mitsubishi Galant and 01 Sentra SE and 1971 240Z. Only problem ever had is getting water in the distributor cap on the old Z. Nothing a towel won't fix.

On the 2 newer cars- no problem ever. It seems all the modern stuff is pretty well sealed up.

 

Do you mean actually opening the hood and spraying inside?

 

I did it all the time, sprayed all over the engine and through the radiator and intercooler

didnt bother me or the Z

 

I've sprayed my Z's engine with no problem. I don't think I'd immediatly go do a bunch of WOT runs right then, but it was fine.

I hosed off this POS '97 nissan truck w/129k miles and the next morning it wouldn't start. later that night it did, but get a check engine light... don't really care, but something happened - will probably go away.

 

Hose away... Just cover the filter if you have a WAI or CAI

 

What i always do is go to my local gasstation (BP) and they have this very cool engine bay cleaning system (Selfservice)

When i asked the manager what it consisted of, he told me that the first stage was a regular degreaser, and the second stage was just water with wax I Use it all the time on my MB E 320, and it never caused me trouble... note that it is stock!

 

What about the alternater getting wet?

 

Thanks for all the help guys! Yes lshin037, I mean popping open the hood and hosin that sucker down. My car is completely stock, by the way. The only thing I was worried about was the alternator, would anything happen to that?

 

the alternator is completely shielded from the outside. Thats why you can touch it/ lick it/ pee on it without deat/damage.