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can i pressure wash me engine on my 88 sse.?

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Old 01-20-2008, 05:10 PM
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Default can i pressure wash me engine on my 88 sse.?

its been very nasty since i owned the car and i never knew how to clean it up besides what i could wipe off with some rags...

its black thick grease everywhere all over everything.
and now since i just got done puttong on a new radiator and a new power steering pump well (lets just say its 100 times worse) it got even more messy from all the fluids i spilled all over the frame and some of the engine and bay..

can i pressure wash this off or ?

any ideas or advice would be greatly appericated as i know all the grease and liquids cant be good all over everything.
Old 01-20-2008, 05:17 PM
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Did a simple search with the Search function up in the upper right corner..

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...re+wash+engine
Old 01-20-2008, 05:20 PM
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It depends on the psi put out by the pressure washer. Too much pressure could tear up rubber and plastic parts. I just used simple green and the hose on mine, making sure not to spray too much water on the coils. This worked great for me but my engine wasn't extremely dirty. A low pressure electric unit shouldn't hurt anything. Keep the nozzle away a reasonable distance away though. In short, if you are smart about it I don't think you'll have a problem.
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Old 01-20-2008, 06:51 PM
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My grand marquis was dirty as HELL when I got it. I sprayed it down with some de-greaser, TLCd it with the power washer for about a half hour, dressed it with Meguiar'* Accent Coating, and it looked great. I can't find any pics :( but it looked better than brand new.

My bonneville was pretty clean when I first got it, but after a little more it looks like this:



The reservoir is the only thing that pisses me off. I even soaked it over night in hot water and bleach, and that rust is still soaked into it, even though it'* been dex-less for about a month now.
Old 01-20-2008, 07:03 PM
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Default Re: can i pressure wash me engine on my 88 sse.?

Originally Posted by 88bonnsse
any ideas or advice would be greatly appericated as i know all the grease and liquids cant be good all over everything.
Actually, the grease and fluids on the outside of the engine really don't hurt anything at all, just makes it grimy to work on and astheticlly unpleasent.

As to preassure washing the motor...yes if that'* what you have a mind to do. Cover up ALL the electrical sensors with foil and tape them up (particularly the Throttle Position sensor on the throttle body.) Even the pressure from a garden hose will get past the seals and cause it to read funny for a while...if not kill it entirely.

You can get the bulk of the crud off the motor using this method (I usually do this to a motor prior to pulling it from the car for more serious dissassembly) Warm the motor up, cover up the electrical connections and sensors, coat the motor with a heavy film of engine degreaser and let it set for about 15 minutes. Take the covers off the electricals, start the motor up, then hose the motor clean with a garden hose (or take it to a car wash place and do it in their wash bays In essence, you are steam cleaning the motor.

Don't forget to get the underside of the motor and cradle
Old 01-20-2008, 08:58 PM
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The reservoir is the only thing that pisses me off. I even soaked it over night in hot water and bleach, and that rust is still soaked into it, even though it'* been dex-less for about a month now.
You have to spray it out. Mine looked the same way. I poured concentrated simple green in it while it was off the car during the LIM repair. It seemed to loosen the crud up but didn't take it off. I sprayed it out and it came perfectly clean.
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Old 01-21-2008, 12:23 PM
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I never heard of the simple green product and thinking about getting it to clean my resevior with, but don't know who sells it or not. Is this it? http://www.simplegreen.com/
Old 01-21-2008, 12:50 PM
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Yes thats it. Most grocery stores carry it. I've found it in either the cleaning section or to automotive section.
Old 01-21-2008, 01:06 PM
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Alright cool thanks! I'll be going there tomarrow since we have to go food shopping anyway lol
Old 01-21-2008, 01:30 PM
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You can still pick reservoirs up new, either at the dealer or on ebay, and relatively cheap too.

You can also try brake cleaner, Castrol Super Clean, or any other high-powered degreaser. Fill it to the brim, let it soak overnight. Now comes something people rarely thinks about: rocks. Pebbles would be better, so long as they are smooth (like pea gravel). Throw them in the mix, shake well. REALLY well.

Dump, rinse, rinse, rinse....enjoy.


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