Here’s What Happens If You Pressure Wash Your Engine Bay

Here’s What Happens If You Pressure Wash Your Engine Bay
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This is the people's automotive channel! The most honest and funniest car channel on KZbin. Never any sponsored content, just the truth about everything! Learn how to fix your car and how it works. New video every day! I've been an auto mechanic for the past 53 years and I'm here to share my knowledge with you!
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[@scottykilmer]

Thanks for watching! Like and Subscribe for More Vids Daily ► kzbin.info/door/uxpxCCevIlF-k-K5YU8XPA

[@robertluark4508]

Go to off grid desert farming with Paul its important say Jhon 16;7-13 knock knock love YAH

[@cactneir]

Careful guys scotty did bring out a C2500 1996 a few months back. I did buy a C1500 1996 same year. Anyways these trucks have OBII scanners. And mine crapped out this morning without flashing the check engine light. So........ be careful when you buy these things watch your RPM and if there is a hill coming up on the highway do get to the breakdown lane immediately.

[@rwryder1]

@@cactneir Gotta be 96 or 97 ford!Ford!! I had one and sold it after many years! 350,000 Miles!! Still running like charm!! Just proper maintenance!! Additives always help longevity!! :) Sold it and guy still running it!!

[@landonpeterson2520]

I work for the total loss department at a big red insurance company and they always look at how clean the engine is. I like how you said your engine is dirty and it runs great!

[@sarcasticguyz6251]

So if engine bay is clean, they try not to pay for the damage/loss?

[@bioheart09]

@@sarcasticguyz6251 No they prefer it to be clean because if they use the car to resell, it has more value due to it lookin clean. They will come to a conclusion to total you out quicker if your car looks clean, even if you have 120k+ miles.

[@CentralPerspective-my2ev]

Just keep it clean Each oil change,wipe down all plastics and remove any excess debris and dust in places that they shouldn’t be. All rubber leans up good with wd40 and a rag or equivalent silicone spray. When you change oil, it will clean up easier. Simple quick maintenance.

[@kchididdy]

@@CentralPerspective-my2ev Keep silicone spray away from electronics and connectors

[@otterchaos666]

What is a good spray and wipe product that’s safe for the engine bay, and do you specifically stay away from the wire connections and alternator or can you wipe those too?

[@christopherthackrey4607]

I steam clean mine and have never had any problems and it looks great

[@205ken4]

I almost always agree with Scotty but I own a used car dealership and we pressure wash the engine bay of every vehicle - It makes knowing the difference in past leaks & build up and current leaks possible. Also pressure washers when turned down low use about 1.2 GPM rather than the 3GPM a hose does.

[@maulsrevenge]

This!

[@mrblister95]

Been cleaning my engines for 40+ years. Never had an issue. The key is common sense and proper covering of the alternator and any other electrical components. Additionally, don’t use a gas pressure washer, use electric at around 1000 psi. You will NOT have an issue, except a beautiful engine!

[@kikeroddy4803]

if i have a 86 c10 carburetor what else would u say i have to cover ?

[@WisdomFreak100]

This guy doesn't complicate things and keeps it simple 👍

[@bertchiu9265]

Scotty you are *SO* hilarious! Actually I detailed my son’s car yesterday and hosed down (with a shower spray) the engine compartment of his *2016* *Mazda* *CX-5* I did cover the *alternator* and *battery* with a plastic grocery bag and plugged up the *air intake* with an old rag to keep water out. After blowing off the majority of the loose dust with a powerful *EGO leaf blower* I proceeded to liberally spray a *degreaser* all over the engine compartment - agitated everything with an *old paint brush* and rinsed away. I then used the leaf blower once again to blow away the majority of the standing water and then dried. The remaining areas with a *microfiber towel* All done in less than 15 minutes and the car started right up like a charm! 🤩

[@webguy943]

For now

[@simplysimple7628]

The way scotty says “it wurks purfectly fiiiiiine”. Had me🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chocolate_bubbs]

Fr man he’s the bubbles of mechanics

[@titansgarage777]

scott is the type of guy to turn a fully built car with 2000hp to stock because it's better for the car

[@tjkaczynski5896]

Been washing all my engines sence the mid 60's haven't had a problem yet! Clean your motors folks a clean engine is a happy engine!💦

[@rickybobbydastar6534]

Or u can steam clean the engine bay

[@youngmerc7717]

Definitely clean your engine bays but not with a pressure washer lol, a low pressure hose is fine

[@ramaalemzer]

​@@youngmerc7717but you gotta make sure to cover the computer box ,air intake ,alternator,timing belt with aluminum foil

[@exil3dlivecom]

Same. Just avoid pressure washing the alternator amd don't focus the jet at electrical connections or the computer parts like fuse boxes.

[@samfisher2141]

I would....but I'm far too terrified to do it myself.

[@SantiagoPerez-np4ep]

I work at a dealership and every time we do a heavy repair we pressure wash the engine bay for our customer. I’ve never really had an issues but I have seen issues with other people doing it and you have to know what to look for and avoid .

[@exil3dlivecom]

Yep. Pretty much this.

[@joealbanese4156]

Scott your the man! I'm a Toyota guy and I always check in with you if I have a question thank you.

[@purpledonatello]

Scotty, you already mention this time sfter time and I cant agree with you more. I had my engine bay washed once, but the funny thing is I didnt asked for it. The mechanic shop went ahead a did it without my approval. Months later, lots of seals like valve cover, oil pan seal, and trigger evap code. Please, I hope you keep reminding people. If anything, brush off the dust with paint brush and wipe it down microfiber cloth.

[@Im_The_Slep]

Yeah lmao I’ve done this on so many cars but the tip for cleaning is, ALWAYS Wash when cold, use a 40 degree not turbo or anything lower. Cover alternator, power steering reservoir, brake fluid reservoir and should be fine.

[@kingleonidas4296]

Yep. Cleaned the engine bay. Dozens of times. Never had an issue.

[@205ken4]

Agreed

[@barotraumabruce4245]

Notice when Scotty leans over the hood? Keys make a great prelude to Scratch-X which Scotty demonstrates in his next video. :-))) Love ya, Scotty!

[@rskat501]

He never touched the car with the keys

[@smokey-smore]

Yea I’ve seen people mess their whole engine bay doing that was blowing fuses for a week straight until the water evaporates or it fell off If you do use a garden hose with a adjustable nozzle to a fine mist will clean the dirt off plus he had it hooked up to a 5 gallon bucket with a Milwaukee water transfer pump used only like 1 maybe 2 gallons Also it’s nice it’s completely portable just have a few gallons of water a bucket and the pump

[@TrishaVil]

Thank you Scotty for always helping out the average guy!! You're o.k. Man!! God bless you!😇🙏🏼🌻

[@SkyfallLodge]

Soap also lowers the surface tension of water. This allows it to creep into small cracks and crevices. Soapy water is also more conductive than plain water. This is the perfect recipe for electrical disasters.

[@misstoots]

Hey Scotty! Thanks for the info bud ❤ been a fan for years and years man

[@AFatOcelot]

I think there’s a balance. It’s not good to have dirt salt and grime all over the engine. But water will damage certain parts of its forced in

[@starkeymorgan4142]

Kilmer doesn't think there's a balance.

[@rohan-jl]

unless you live in snowy areas or close to the coast, of course still not with a pressure washer, but if you leave the salt on everything, then it will rust like a maniac

[@silvermane5695]

Agree

[@jbga.6178]

I had my engine 'professionally' cleaned the other day. I told them I wanted the spot clean version, not power wash since my car has electrical components all under the hood. He said okay, then I watched as he power washed it right out the get go, I bout had a heart attack, I told him I didn't want power wash, he said he wasn't, it just looks like it cause he was just getting the edges. I'm glad it started and I left. They did a good job though.

[@frankmontez6853]

Yeah I’ve used Purple Power spray letting it sit and hose it off for ordinary dirt and light duty cleaning. For heavier oil and grime use brake cleaner spray it dissolves everything away and dries within seconds. Think it’s same thing for sensor cleaning. Very safe.

[@205ken4]

A hose puts out 3GPM while a pressure washer puts out 1.2GPM on low. We pressure wash engine bays daily w/o issue

[@user-vb9kd3lg1s]

Hosing it off is even worse LMFAOO

[@205ken4]

@@user-vb9kd3lg1s Yep

[@0987__]

If you lived where I live you would want to clean it. Snow, salt and mud on the road for 7-8 months a year.

[@100GTAGUY]

Yup, I just found out how thick it's been built up on an old ranger I bought. Solid quarter inch of sludge and desert clay lol. I'm gonna just do a dry clean and use a plastic scraper and weigh what I scrape off. Being that I also do most of my own maintenance I tend to like things clean (for the most part) to prevent just getting gunk on everything, and all I gotta do to clean it the rest the way is use some simple green. Plus taking a lil pride in your vehicle never hurts, just don't do something wild like take a pressure washer to it.

[@xXturbo86Xx]

Water can get anywhere no matter the pressure High pressure can damage other things though. It's best to avoid pressure for othe reasons. Although there are low pressure handheld battery waterguns now that are perfect for the job.

[@onlythefamilyinvolved]

Love this guy feels good to know he’s from CT.

[@DTechnologyservices]

I use the electric spray cleaner and engine degreasers good to go

[@mysteriousme3006]

awesome idea lol

[@mysteriousme3006]

I bought the electronic spray cleaner. I was just trying to figure out the which degreaser will losen the gunk better so it will easily fall off. I hope I do a good job for my child car.

[@davidvenegas6401]

Also the pressure at the tip can make the water cut plastic and rubber.

[@keegentilley578]

You would need a very powerful pressure washer or a very fine tip

[@Ashroyer86]

Mine chewed through the rubber seal on my car.

[@jeffreylambert2722]

Imagine Scotty’s neighbors 😂

[@dereksans2623]

Just use a damp rag works just fine in my opinion.

[@Txslabhurta]

Just take the battery out or disconnect it, clean it, let it dry and you’ll be fine. If you’re not sure or don’t have a very steady hand with the high-pressure holes, take a plastic bag and cover the distributor cap and alternator soap it up, brush it down, spray it and you’re done.

[@benjilafouine]

I wash it by hand most of the time. I’ll only use pressure for metal parts (mostly on the sides). Those coils are not waterproof I think.

[@neolerades2987]

It won't hurt anything until you take the intake manifold down and a pound of sand falls through the open valve into the cylinder. The engine simply needs to be cleaned for several reasons.

[@sammyhooligan803]

Yea, definitely just hand wipe with Windex/armor all/ mild orange cleaner water mixture, simple and won't short circuit connections.

[@kingzionmusic]

Thanks I was wondering what to wipe engine with especially being it’s a newer Kia with all plastic engine parts I didn’t want to wipe down engine with anything that’s gonna eat it up.

[@sammyhooligan803]

@@kingzionmusic yes, definitely. I took this advice from Scotty years ago. And still very careful when it comes to under hood cleaning. Too many electrical connectors,wires etc. To run water there. Simple wipe with solution cleaner works. Of course if a part is off vehicle, say oil pan or intake manifold then yea, soap water is ok , separate from vehicle.

[@jwedeking9548]

I had one of those water hoses that is connected by a clip break loose. I had antifreeze all over everything and wouldn’t you know it, it didn’t happen until I went about 60 miles and then I came to a stoplight, well I didn’t have much of a choice but to go to the car wash (after I fixed the broken connection), The selection knob was for “engine wash” which was low pressure, I hope that was ok, or would you have just left it alone?

[@MRMechanicRC]

I use it on my el Camino cus I got a carb and as long as I don’t spray the filter I’m good as gold 😀

[@robertsolar7052]

Learned that lesson the hard way! 😂

[@nsny24]

The dog in the background is probably wondering who is Scotty talking to.

[@phatgringo2.0]

Scotty that's quite the hose you got there!

[@joeishere500]

HA HA HA

[@g5alive795]

1...I did this *ONCE* & learned my lesson. 2...If you Don't keep the power mill at least semi clean, it *COULD* hamper you from finding a leak, broken part or corroded wire.😲😲😲

[@Herrera419]

I clean mine by hand with wet wipes and rag.

[@nicholas6900]

I wash mine with a rag on a stick. 🤪

[@marvinhaagsma9177]

I use QTips and a toothbrush, the same way I was taught to clean garbage cans in basic training.

[@1BillyPeterson]

I mean, yeah, nobody is saying use a pressure washer. Maybe light water pressure. But if not, it's still good to keep the engine compartments clean, including the alternator. Is it possible that the reason the alternator fails prematurely is because of particles that could get into it, destroying the integrity of the alternator? There are things to think about in this area.

[@legodin77]

Hi Scotty, thanks for taking my call... I heard the dirt and grime on engines can cause them to retain more heat.. Is that true? Anyone?

[@raider7829]

My next door neighbor in my 30s told me to lift hood and spray but I THOUGHT NOOO WAY. Glad I followed my intuition

[@robertrouse8264]

It gets clean . Wow you are smart

[@robertrouse8264]

Funny irrelevant to the cause Duh

[@bribri1657]

I've always done this in order and it's NEVER caused any problems: 1. Using a pump garden sprayer spray soap in engine bay then use a soft bristle wheel brush to scrub everything. 2. Rinse using hot water in the garden pump sprayer. 3. Take about a 20 minute drive and the engine heat will dry everything. 4. Spray everything black that's rubber or plastic with Armor All tire foam and leave it. Enjoy the shine later.

[@robertsmith511]

Hey Scotty , fix your neighbors truck door !! Love ya ya dude , glad you are in Tennessee!! My home state !

[@josephlucero8420]

Scott what about my oil filter it just burst on the top of my engine bay and all the oil leaked right on top of my alternator all the way down the belt to the bottom of the vehicle? Should I try to clean it with some water I used a rag

[@d.williams6891]

I have an electric pressure washer so it’s naturally weak. The key is to not saturate one area and keep the water constantly moving. I could see a gas pressure washer having enough force to do some damage but I washed my F250 engine and engine bay with my electric Sun Joe and my truck didn’t explode. 🤔

[@haroldharwell7078]

Them pressure washers are Hell on radiators ,too.

[@nkosinathindhlovu6610]

Thanks Scotty, no need to investigate further about washing my engine bay,it works perfectly fine 😂😂😅

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I clean mine a couple days before working on it or if I'm going on a road trip and might have to work on it on the side of the road, it's always a better experience.

[@valeriejensen983]

Thanks Scotty I had NO IDEA!♥️👍💯😊

[@BadDadio]

I’ve been washing my engines for over 40 years. Don’t do it often and I live in a dry area. Never had a problem. I am careful where I spray though.

[@str8profit81]

Having a bunch of grime on your engine isn’t great either heat can’t escape properly. I work for a detail company and pressure wash engine everyday never been a problem just don’t soak the battery or alternator everything else is meant to get a little wet it’s ok

[@TowerCrisis]

I've been washing down my engine bays for a loooong time. Just disconnect the battery and let it dry fully before starting lol

[@kenw.1112]

Common sense here. I have cleaned many engines at car wash using a pressure washer. PRESSURE WASHERS REACH PRESSURES OF 1,600 PSI . OLDER CARS LIKE IN THE 80'S & 90'S WERE MORE EASILY DAMAGED BY USING A PRESSURE WASHER. MY FRIEND CLEANED A 1983 CADILLAC AND WHEN HE WAS DONE HE STARTED THE CAR AND FRIED THE COMPUTER. . HE SMELLED BURNED RESISTORS , ETC . RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CADDY. HE HEARD POPPING INSIDE THE CADDY. I FIXED THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE COMPUTER AND THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHY IT HAPPENED. HE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR 2 YRS AND AFTER REPLACING THE SAID COMPONENTS , HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT AND HIS CADDY RUN SUPER SMOOTH. HE WAS ESTATIC . PAID ME $50.00 MORE FOR FIXING THE ISSUES.

[@CircaXZion]

Scotty.. we want clean engine baes 😍

[@onlygearwarrior]

Especially Fords and GMs. Their electrical boxes in the engine compartment aren't even washdown rated. Plenty of Ford and GMs with corroded fuse boxes.

[@shea5542]

Thanks Scott

[@juanmanuelgil3436]

Wiping it down is ok, with a sprayer and soapy water with car Shampoo, it'll clean up real nice

[@justhimo2728]

he is right ✅ do not use the water if the engine is hot use it when the engine is cold and you must cover all sensitive places and use the cleaning in place when the sunshine good do make it dry but do not turn on the engine if the engine is wet .

[@Zaepg]

I know a Vibe when I see one

[@jsmitz237]

Geowing up, the only time we would get engine bays cleaned is if you’re selling the vehicle, it’s an instant sale.

[@johnnunn8688]

True but I would cover the alternator and stuff like that, brush on a cleaner, like gunk, then wash off with a brush and low pressure hose.

[@misterbulger]

A clean engine bay is usually suspicious

[@contraband1543]

@@misterbulger yep. I want it to look completely untouched. If it's clean that means it usually has a leak.

[@LibertyGunsBeerTrump]

Makes it look brand new

[@alabamabob9907]

@@LibertyGunsBeerTrump looks don't matter under the hood it matters if the car runs why does it matter what it looks like under the hood he's already explained this multiple times in different videos. No one's looking at your engine bay and if someone does buy a car with a clean engine bay they clearly don't have any idea what they're getting themselves into and they probably have no knowledge of cars whatsoever as he basically explained in this video. If it's clean it's probably got a lot of damage..

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

Scotty, you're the man!

[@stockbulll]

The same reason you should not speed through big puddles.

[@gavinsteezy1974]

Almost every detail out there will still do it still

[@richterbelmont2]

That's why they're detailers not mechanics. What matters to them is that the car looks pretty and don't care of the car runs right or not.

[@4Kandlez]

​@richterbelmont2 I'm sure the owners do though when they come to collect the car if it don't run

[@apeflawless]

60/70's gunk degreaser & hose, NP.

[@clayton4917]

I wish I had followed this advice. I jacked my engine up. Even tried covering the important parts. Didn’t help.

[@romzdawnjr6642]

What about the rat poop and urine under the unreachable area of the engine how to get rid of that?

[@Peter_One]

Just use pressurized air. If you do it often enough, it won't get dirty!

[@PandaFPV]

Yeah but who wants a bland car with no character

[@roonbooks3227]

Ive been pressure washing engines for decades.never had a problem other than humidity under the distributor cap....i just pull it and whioe it...good to go

[@NorthTexasEagle1989]

Great video. Love the character lol

[@Ozmni11]

I need to wash my engine bay because I've had rats trying to make a home under the hood. They have made number 1 and number 2 all over so when I'm driving somewhere I can smell the urine. Its awful! Can I use a regular garden hose, non pressurized to clean the engine?

[@user-ep6wd7ip7v]

Use compressed air if you have one and wet rag that’s it on engine bay

[@masenstephens8986]

Only need to clean your engine when you have a coolant leak or a transmission leak other than that leave it be other than show cars or rare engines

[@Jim-Wade]

Pressure washers CAN damage conrete too.

[@Yomommahouse]

I have signs on my Chevy trailboss to not pressure wash so I’m not doing it but I really never have or any car just goes against my common sense. Even if it’s fine to do just doesn’t feel right. My truck is lifted so I even have to climb on something but I’d much rather do that than pressure wash

[@N080DY_H3R3]

They have a soft nozzle with setting on it specifically for cars. If you cant read simple directions with pictures, then yeah dont power wash anything least of all your car.

[@user-vb9kd3lg1s]

I have pressure washed my engine maybe like 89 times and it runs like a charm

[@gigirys9948]

Thanks 👍

[@PooNinja]

Dirt don’t hurt, unless it gets inside.

[@peytonzbr]

Yea dude if you use a 15° nozzle it’ll damage the engine bay, just use a 40° like everyone else

[@aLatios]

But I hate getting my hands dirty every time I touch anything under my hood :( also I’m scared of stuff being knocked down into my engine when I have the cap off and I’m filling it with oil :(

[@brad1367]

been doing it for 20 years never had a single issue.

[@hzmusallatt]

I liked your keychain 😊

[@caveman4598]

If your engines wet after degreasing use compressed air to dry electrics

[@Valkyrie03]

You never cleaned your garage either.

[@kennethrodriguez328]

That's nun of our business lol

[@memezforme3282]

Damn bro you sure got him there

[@kevind8571]

He’s too busy saving the internet

[@Parker-y2w]

I'm more concerned about the length of time he's currently abstained from sanitizing his bodily orifices. At this point it'd be futile for him to even entertain the typical post-defecation wiping routine anymore. I'd imagine doing so would be about as effective as dragging a lint roller across a patch of grass, or frantically waving an air filter around the room to avoid getting sick. Well, fortunately I'm sure he has a good selection of degreasers and wire brushes laying around in case he wants to mine his way down into the crust layers to once again establish a direct contact with his raw (anal,oral,nasal,testicular,and/or belly button) flesh. For what purpose I do not know unless perhaps he has a sudden urge to aquire a tattoo.

[@nichollle732]

​@@Parker-y2wyou just wrote a whole bunch of rubbish.

[@adoniskhan6097]

I got braking fluid over my battery and some stuff back there, What do I doooo

[@TheAlicia8371]

What hapens when water gets under the hood when it rains?

[@free-naturalist8912]

My aunt always cleans her engine. Miraculously nothing has happened lol

[@TheDigitalGuerrilla]

Only in the country of "hot beverage, be careful" you need to make a short like this

[@mikeruizxd5534]

Well my car transmission hose came off my radiator and blue on the half of the engine. So I'll use my air hose and blow off whatever I can and I let the heat of the engine burn everything else off

[@The__Gent]

Scotty be tipsy daily with that youtube money lol

[@MattKrolczyk]

Using a hairdryer to start your engine in cold weatherScotty Kilmer videos.

[@fortyseven1832]

Detailers use a cleaner and low pressure water.

[@chrisozouf4914]

If your pressure washer does less than 2000psi and you use the widest tip it shouldn’t hurt anything

[@CDN296]

People literally say protect your electronics if your gunna wash your engine bay 🤦

[@TGMacro]

I’ll never pressure wash it but I’ll keep it clean. Easier to work on and not have a mess going especially if you need to be at work soon and you just wanted to fix something before you went. Plus if you ever have another person do something on it. It’s not a huge middle finger to them. But I get it if you do ALL your work yourself. But I’ll get down there with a brush and soap and a towel and clean her up every couple months or if it looks like it’s picking up a lot of things. My car isn’t and never will be a show car. But it’s just easier for me to keep things lubed up and clean and dusted then have to fight with broken parts that are oily and rusted

[@5argetech56]

Very true!! Don't do it! Runs great and you don't need to wash it!