engine compartment cleaning

retired · 04-21-2026, 09:54 PM

I'm thinking of cleaning the engine compartment of my 2014 Subaru with my pressure washer. Lots of dirt and grime. Is this a good idea, or am I going to cause some problems with the engine?

WinnisquamZ · 04-21-2026, 11:07 PM

Do it all the time. White tip. Cold engine

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jbolty · 04-22-2026, 08:00 AM

If there is a ton of grime there is probably an oil leak, which might be worth investigating, otherwise I have concerns.

Obviously don't directly blast any wires or connectors and it should be fine. On the other hand, unless you are working on something in there why bother. It will be a big problem if it suddenly will not run.

thinkxingu · 04-22-2026, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbolty

...unless you are working on something in there why bother. It will be a big problem if it suddenly will not run.

This. I can't recall a vehicle ever having an issue because its engine bay was dirty.

OP: why? It's not a show car, right?

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fatlazyless · 04-22-2026, 08:40 AM

Is definitely very bad to use a pressure washer because water gets into alternator and other electric items.

Go watch a You Tube video on how to do this. It probably says use a grease cleaner, a scrub brush, sponge and hot water and be careful to stay away from the alternator.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k_S-Bv1v14 ....... Clean engine without water using ArmorAll tire foam and a leaf blower.

Descant · 04-22-2026, 08:56 AM

Whatever detergent you use, and whatever grime and oil comes out, please be aware of where that mess drains. Commercial wash stations should have a closed drain system to filter and/or collect undesirable residue.

WinnisquamZ · 04-22-2026, 11:47 AM

That’s why you clean it in your neighbors driveway when they are away

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retired · 04-22-2026, 03:43 PM

No visible oil leaks. Just want to clean the dirt off so it looks good when I go to sell it.

BroadHopper · 04-23-2026, 08:24 AM

Check Youtube. There is a number of videos by pro detailers on cleaning the engine bay. If you use a strong degreser make sure you rinse the compartment thouroughly! It may damage the paint!

VitaBene · 04-23-2026, 12:07 PM

I don't like power washing engine compartments. Use a good spray degreaser like Zep Purple or similar, let it set for a few and hose off. try to avoid streams of water hitting the alternator.

04-21-2026, 09:54 PM	#1
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 194 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	engine compartment cleaning I'm thinking of cleaning the engine compartment of my 2014 Subaru with my pressure washer. Lots of dirt and grime. Is this a good idea, or am I going to cause some problems with the engine?

04-22-2026, 08:40 AM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	Is definitely very bad to use a pressure washer because water gets into alternator and other electric items. Go watch a You Tube video on how to do this. It probably says use a grease cleaner, a scrub brush, sponge and hot water and be careful to stay away from the alternator. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k_S-Bv1v14 ....... Clean engine without water using ArmorAll tire foam and a leaf blower. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 05-11-2026 at 02:23 PM.

04-23-2026, 08:24 AM	#9
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,280 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	Youtube Check Youtube. There is a number of videos by pro detailers on cleaning the engine bay. If you use a strong degreser make sure you rinse the compartment thouroughly! It may damage the paint! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

04-21-2026, 11:07 PM	#2
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,238 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	Do it all the time. White tip. Cold engine Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

04-22-2026, 08:00 AM	#3
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 689 Thanks: 326 Thanked 267 Times in 160 Posts	If there is a ton of grime there is probably an oil leak, which might be worth investigating, otherwise I have concerns. Obviously don't directly blast any wires or connectors and it should be fine. On the other hand, unless you are working on something in there why bother. It will be a big problem if it suddenly will not run.

04-22-2026, 08:56 AM	#6
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,591 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 1,703 Times in 1,107 Posts	Whatever detergent you use, and whatever grime and oil comes out, please be aware of where that mess drains. Commercial wash stations should have a closed drain system to filter and/or collect undesirable residue.

04-22-2026, 11:47 AM	#7
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,238 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	That’s why you clean it in your neighbors driveway when they are away Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

04-22-2026, 03:43 PM	#8
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 194 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	No visible oil leaks. Just want to clean the dirt off so it looks good when I go to sell it.

04-23-2026, 12:07 PM	#10
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,644 Thanks: 1,718 Thanked 1,662 Times in 861 Posts	I don't like power washing engine compartments. Use a good spray degreaser like Zep Purple or similar, let it set for a few and hose off. try to avoid streams of water hitting the alternator.