Question about washing engine 944

[mfischer78223]

Can anyone tell me how they wash their engines without causing any damage or electrical issues?

Thanks

[Rasta Monsta]

Is your engine leaky? Where from?

[mfischer78223]

I know its got a small leak towards the front but I'm talking about just general cleaning like going to the car wash like back in the old days when u could spray it off and just putting a plastic bag over the distributor.

[John_AZ]

Sorry, the "Old Days" will never come back.

Your '85 944 is 25 years old. Every connection has deterioated and every wire sheild has cracks. Never use a garden hose or a DIY spray wand on your car engine-top or bottom.

Get a toothbrush and a few bottles of soap cleaner and try your best. When this does not look good enough get the rubber gloves on and use spray engine cleaners on the worst spots.

Your front of engine leaks are caused by many seals and gaskets leaking. FOES-front of engine service will be your cure. Pelican sells a kit or you can get individual pieces. You should do the front crank seal, "O" ring and oil pump sleeve if it has a seal groove (which will eat the new seal if not replaced).

Like Rasta suggested, try to locate the leak. It could be as simple as the aluminum crush washers on the oil sender, OPRV valve, or a PS leak.

GL
John_AZ

[ernie9944]

+1 for John clean Lucy by hand for degreaser you can use (varsol) just fill a spray bottle full of it ,no engine cleaner since afterward you'll have to use water to wash it off for hard to get places a long handle with either a small rag or tooth brush attache to it will do the job have fun.

[mfischer78223]

Hey guys thanks for the info & tips! Tho most would probably say you're CRAZY for cleaning an engine w/ a toothbrush, but they cant understand the love for these cars. I am taking it in for FOES within the next few weeks...got an extra paycheck soon...(thank goodness).

Appreciate the help! Will post pics after its as clean as my bald head! LOL!

[flash968]

hogwash - water does NOT cause electrical damage - it can provide a conduit for current, but you have to pretty much be an idiot

disconnect the battery - wrap the distributor, avoid the spark plugs and fuse box, and hose away - just take care not to hose too much on wiring or anything where water can get into a place you don't want it to - allow to dry thoroughly before connecting battery - if you are worried about a particular area, use a blow dryer

i use a good degreaser first, on a hot engine - Steam Premium is my favorite

i even do this on 50 year old british cars that love to have some sort of electrical fault just to give the owners a chance for a pint - not a single problem in over 30 years

the key is to control the spray and not squirt something that is clearly an issue

[m73m95]

Go to the car wash and spray that dirty f$#ker down!! You drive 80+mph in the rain right?

Water does not affect DC systems... at all. Not the alternator, not the battery.... nothing (Just don't directly spray the distributor cap .... water in there won't "damage" anything, but your car my not start until you dry it out).

I spray mine down at the car wash every time I wash my car. I have no problems.

The only thing I would be a tiny bit careful about is spraying degreaser spray where you need grease (alternator bearings, PS pump). But I do directly spray my alternator with high pressure clear water to clean it...battery too...fuse box too (with lid on.. duh).

Don't be scared.... be CLEAN

[porsche4life]

I'm with flash (for once).... I hose that dirty beeyotch down occasionally... no problema... Hell I avoid the dizzy and don't even bag it...

Now.... I got real tricky and mixed up a little aluminum coil cleaner and a little aluminum wheel cleaner(both acids don't try this at home kiddies) and scrubbed the intake down... hello bright silver...

[944 boy]

I sprayed the underside of my car with a pressure washer to remove some grime before I pulled the motor. Started the car and it ran kinda rough. Found out later that I toasted the DME. Not sure how, but I would suggest letting the car dry before starting it.

[JAXTURBO]

I have to agree with all those that say it's safe to turn the garden hose on in the engine bay. Just don't focus spray directly at connectors or dist. I've been washing mine regularly for over 20 years now. When I take the drip pans off for any reason hell I break out my power washer. Getting back to engine bay, I use ordinary engine cleaner/degreaser on a warm engine. I caution you don't allow the overspray from the engine cleaner/degreaser to dry on your paint. Have your hose connected, turned on, and stretched out to car before spraying cleaner/degreaser.

[John_AZ]

Use caution and avoid getting water in ANY harness connection on the engine. Cover the battery.

Do you really want to replace the DME?

Google: "Pressure washing engine bay"

Or search on Porsche forums.

Pressure Washing an engine

Finally, those who disagree with me all have the same warnings. Do you feel lucky?

[wild man]

I've always pressure-washed the engine bays of my porsches, without anything more than the occasional miss, if started up wet. But since john has posted some sort of proper procedure for pressure-washing an engine, I will go ahead and read it. It never hurts to have more knowledge!

[The Glademister]

I think the careful approach with selective squirts of degreaser and using a low pressure water spray works best. I've used a toothbrush on some of my other classics that were really grimy but that's painful. The 280Z I owed wouldn't start if water got within 6 inches of the distributor cap. The water cooled Porsches seem to tolerate it better. I really try to avoid those harness connectors though. A clean engine bay on a prospective car means a lot in my minds eye.

[Damian in NJ]

Engine Cleaning - Car Care Specialties Article

[earlr85944]

Use common sense, cover dist w a plastic bag. Personally i use armor all on the entire top of the motor with a rag and do the bottom w/ foam engine spray