Hey Guys

I just got back from running some trails, which were quiet muddy...awesome...but anyways I want to powerwash under the hood, I know I've read before on here that it is ok to do...but I was wondering should I leave the engine running while I do it? And anything else I should know before I just go to town under there?

Thanks

 

Make sure you keep the alternator dry, or better yet cover it with plastic bag.

 

Leave the engine off and in the case of mud, power scrub the under carriage first, using only cold water, then do the engine compartment. As long as you own a D2, you can do this, you can't with a D1, they don't like water.
Make sure to never use soap or any engine degreaser, if it gets into electrical connections, it will cause problems.

 

so it is a bad idea to power wash the engine on my D1? bc i was gonna do it when i got off work bc i'm losing power steering fluid and there is too much grime to see where it is leaking from...

 

As long as you don't use too much pressure and keep the stream away from the ECU and the electrical connections it should be ok. Just only clean the area you need to clean.

 

Just use the low pressure side of the power washer and make sure that the engine is cool and it is best if you do it at a DIY car wash, like the coin operated kind.
They will have hot water, which cleans better then cold water and think about it, a warm engine block being hit with ice cold water...not a good idea.
They also have a water/oil separator so that all of your oil and grease does not go into the ground water or city sewer system.

 

we have a high pressure steam washer at work i am gonna use... i will just not use the full pressure...

 

And let it sit and dry for 30 min before you start it so that there is no water in any of the connections of the electrics and such.
And remember that a LR alternator is water proof, a after market one is not.

 

I did this on my 95 Disco right after I bought it. Showed me just how bad the plug wires were!

 

I just cleaned my engine compartment Friday with no problem. Sprayed it with same soap I used for the exterior and then rinsed it off with higher pressure. Worked great for me.