DOs and DUHs (Engine Washing)

[David Ziglin <davidz@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Engines can be washed without a problem. ............ generally 
speaking anyway.

Gunk degreasers and similar products do a decent job.  One needs of 
course to wash the material off which provoked the non-starting 
problem.  (Even a cold water steam with no degreaser can do some good 
and more if one uses hot water.)

For a deep spark well engine one can stuff the well with absorbent 
material - paper toweling for example.   A distributor or other water 
sensitive unit can be covered with a plastic bag or the like.


Perhaps more to the point : spraying the plug wires etc with "Wire 
Dry" after a wash down can be extremely useful.  If you cannot find 
"Wire Dry", I suggest using WD-40 which may be as good.  (WD stands 
for "water displacement")

Along with oil, coolant, and some basic tools we carry "Wire Dry" in 
our vehicles just in case.  (DO CARRY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER OF COURSE 
!!).   This material has saved my butt many times.  Occasionally a 
Wisconsin morning can produce a great deal of condensation; a several 
day rain can seemingly supersaturate everything.  Suddenly coming 
into standing water can also wet an engine.

To be more specific  :  "Wire Dry"/"WD-40" to displace moisture is 
for emergency use.  I rarely use it even after an engine wash as it 
is not necessary given the precautions above.  Degreaser on engine 
compartment paint may dull the surface especially if not waxed 
afterward.  Unless you are AR, you may wish to skip the wax job by 
avoiding the paint.

A garden sprayer can also be used with good results as it is much 
more controllable than a hose and can, for example, produce a high 
speed needle stream for particular detail cleaning.  Good old hot 
water in such a sprayer makes a difference.  Using a product such as 
"Simple Green" can do a good job as well.  (I keep wanting to call 
this stuff "Soylent Green".  Fans of the writer Harry Harrison might 
appreciate that.)

David
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