Ok while the Porsche engine wasnt designed to be pretty and is hard to see by most, still it does get grungy, and I've never been a grungy fan. So I'd like to power wash it just to be rid of the road grime collected over the years. I've washed most every engine in every car I've owned with zero issues. But I'm curious if anything will be affected should I try it with the 997 engine. Any advice or should I leave it alone to be safe. Thanks in advance.

 

Many opinions on many threads about this topic.
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-cleaning.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...the-donts.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ngine-bay.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...mpartment.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...ngine-bay.html

You can find the opinion that suits your tendencies somewhere in there.

 

Is there anywhere in those threads that said it was unsafe to high pressure spray the engine? I like to clean my engine this way as well.

 

Any post I would have put into any of those threads would have expressed that viewpoint. The 2 worst things you can do for an engine (aside from vital fluid neglect) is pressure wash or steam clean it. Both force water past the normal seals that are designed to withstand regular water exposure, not 500 psi water exposure. Steam, because the water molecules are moving so much faster than water is the same ingress situation.

Best to find an aluminum safe spray cleaner, like a motorcycle product, spray it down, let it sit for a bit, and rinse with regular hose pressure.

 

yes. For example, the one titled

"Can we just clean our engines using a pressure washer? What are the donts?"

 

Join your local PCA, and get involved with the Concours group. Many friendly people there will give you great advice. At the very least, attend a show or two, and ask questions.

 

Simple Green diluted with water, soft brush, light mist to rinse. Here’s my M3. I did this to my 997 yesterday but honestly it’s mostly about the air box.

 

Propchef, looks very nice and clean. Now you need to Aerospace 303 all that black plastic.

 

. . . and reset the oil cap so that the image is square.

 

Two of my go to products for under hood.



lol

I reclocked the other cap ( and a few of the clamps) but couldn’t get the oil filler image to sit horizontal.

 

I like Simple Green but I wouldn't use it on aluminum. Simple Green's website FAQs mentions that the product's high alkalinity contributes to corrosion on aluminum and that "contact times for unpainted or untreated aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job allows."

Aircraft mechanics and owners on some forums I frequent say that Simple Green (even heavily diluted) is forbidden for use when cleaning their planes due to this.

I believe there are other products out there that are better for cleaning engine bays.

And no, high pressure water is a bad idea.around engines and electrical components. Normal house water pressure--even from a spray nozzle--is usually fine. Don't spray anything down while it is still hot.

 

I generally use the SG on painted areas inside the engine bay or if an area of the engine is particularly dirty, such as a recent oil leak. I've had the M3 for years and I've had the front end completely apart and I cleaned it before putting it back so t's been relatively easy to keep clean since then by mostly using the 2 products above.

 

"Simple Green diluted with water, soft brush, light mist to rinse. "

Rather than using Simple Green, I have had good success with P21S Total Auto Wash. Will not harm the various finishes - aluminum, plastics, and painted surfaces. Balanced PH. Effective cleaner for engines, engine bays, wheel wells, etc. Made in Germany.

https://www.p21s.com/portfolio/high-...tal-auto-wash/

 

^^^^^^ Thanks for the heads up. It looks like it's only available online. Do you have a favorite source? Detailing.com has it but Pelican doesn't (but has other P21 products).

 

Wow, I would've never guessed so many wash threads. My apologies, otherwise I would used my ole Search button. But thanks for all the info. I guess I'm not the only one who wants a clean engine you cant see.
I'm pretty impressed with the Cyro dry ice process. Anyone had this done? I'm curious on the cost and time duration. I might would actually look in the Houston area in hopes theres a reputable shop.