Alright, so today I’m gonna walk you through how I tackled pressure washing my engine. It’s one of those jobs that sounds scarier than it is, but you definitely gotta be smart about it. I’ve heard horror stories, and seen some messes, but if you take your time, it’s totally doable. My engine bay was looking like a neglected science experiment, so it was time.

My Approach to Getting that Engine Gleaming

First up, the prep work – seriously, don’t skip this. This is where you save yourself a headache later.

• I made sure my engine was completely cold. Like, stone cold. I usually let it sit overnight. You don't want to hit a hot engine with cold water; that’s just asking for trouble, cracked blocks, warped stuff, no thanks.
• Then, I got out my trusty roll of plastic bags and some good painter's tape. I went around and carefully covered up the alternator – that’s a big one. Also, the air intake opening, any obvious electronic control units (ECUs or "brain boxes"), the battery terminals (even though I sometimes disconnect it, covering is good), and the main fuse box. Some folks will tell you modern cars are sealed up tight, but why risk it? High-pressure water has a nasty habit of getting into places it shouldn't, and water plus electronics equals a bad day and an empty wallet.
• I grabbed a decent engine degreaser. Sprayed it generously on all the really oily, grimy spots. Let that stuff sit and do its magic for about 10-15 minutes. You'll see it start to break down the gunk.

Okay, now for the main event – actually washing the thing.

• I wheeled out my pressure washer. Super important: I did NOT use the most aggressive, paint-stripping nozzle. No way. I opted for a wider fan pattern, something like a 25 or 40-degree tip. And I didn't crank the pressure to max. You’re cleaning, not sandblasting.
• I started by rinsing from a distance. Kept the nozzle at least a foot or two away from everything, especially at first. The idea is to gently knock off the loose dirt and the degreaser. I never got super close to any wires, connectors, or rubber hoses. That’s how you damage stuff; I’ve heard the pressure can wreck seals or even cut into softer materials if you’re not careful.
• I worked from the top of the engine bay downwards. Makes sense, right? Let gravity help you wash all the crud down and out.
• After the initial rinse, for any stubborn spots, I used a foam cannon attachment with some mild car wash soap. Just a light coating. Let that sit for a few minutes. If you don’t have a foam cannon, a spray bottle with soapy water works too, just be gentle.
• Then, another thorough rinse. This is key – you want to get ALL that soap off. Dried soap residue looks bad and can attract more dirt.

Drying it all out and the final touches.

• Once I was satisfied all the soap was gone, I used my electric leaf blower to blast away most of the standing water. It works surprisingly well to get water out of crevices and off connectors.
• Then, I carefully removed all the plastic bags and tape I’d put on earlier.
• The final step for me is to start the engine and let it run for a good 15-20 minutes. The engine heat helps evaporate any remaining moisture that might be hiding in nooks and crannies. Some people like to go for a short drive.

A couple of things I’ve learned to absolutely AVOID:

• Don't just go full Rambo with the pressure washer nozzle right up against components. Patience and a bit of distance are your friends.
• And whatever you do, please don’t listen to anyone who tells you to spray something like WD-40 all over your engine as a 'dressing' afterwards. I’ve seen this suggested and it’s a terrible idea. WD-40 is oily, it’ll just attract a fresh layer of dust and dirt, and when your engine gets hot, it’ll burn off and smell awful. Just… don’t. A clean engine is good enough; it doesn’t need to be greasy.

So, there you have it. That’s my process. It might take an hour or so, mostly in the prep and being careful, but the results are always worth it. The engine bay looks so much better, and it’s easier to spot leaks or other issues when it’s not caked in grime. Just take it slow, protect the sensitive bits, and don’t get carried away with the pressure!