3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

Washing Engine Compartment

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Old June-5th-2003, 03:21 PM
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Question Washing Engine Compartment

Can anyone give me instructions on how to do a quick cleanup under the hood of my Protie without damaging anything? (I've heard it's really easy to damage the spark plugs with water.) I'm getting the car ready to sell.
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Old June-5th-2003, 04:03 PM
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Re: Washing Engine Compartment

Originally posted by Wilson
Can anyone give me instructions on how to do a quick cleanup under the hood of my Protie without damaging anything?
yes
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Old June-5th-2003, 08:39 PM
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a lot of detailing companies also steam clean engines. Call and ask around a bit.
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Old June-6th-2003, 12:35 AM
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Eh, every time I wash my car I just take the hose and spray off the engine bay. I've done this for the past 3 years and it hasn't hurt anything yet.
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Old June-6th-2003, 02:23 AM
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step 1: spray degreaser on entire engine bay
step 2: blast it off with pressure washer (do not hold on washer nozzle down on any components for more than 1/4 second)
step: 3: dry
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Old June-6th-2003, 09:18 AM
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Originally posted by pr5owner
step 1: spray degreaser on entire engine bay
step 2: blast it off with pressure washer (do not hold on washer nozzle down on any components for more than 1/4 second)
step: 3: dry
When doing this it is important to cover up things like the alternator, spark plugs, and other electronics. I also wouldn't degrease/wash the engine if you had plans later that day in case anything else did get wet and needed to take time to dry. Also, after you do wash the engine, start the car and let it run to dry up some of the water.
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Old June-6th-2003, 03:41 PM
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Originally posted by gcs118


I also wouldn't degrease/wash the engine if you had plans later that day in case anything else did get wet and needed to take time to dry. Also, after you do wash the engine, start the car and let it run to dry up some of the water.
What's the difference between having things to do later on in the day, thus having to start the engine, and starting the engine after washing it? It just seems like kind of a contradictory statement to me...
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Old June-6th-2003, 07:58 PM
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I think he means in case it DOESN'T start...
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Old June-6th-2003, 10:05 PM
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Originally posted by gcs118


When doing this it is important to cover up things like the alternator, spark plugs, and other electronics. I also wouldn't degrease/wash the engine if you had plans later that day in case anything else did get wet and needed to take time to dry. Also, after you do wash the engine, start the car and let it run to dry up some of the water.
No you don't. I work at a dealership. So does pr5owner. I wash my engine off like once a week and nothing has been hurt for a whole year now.
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Old June-6th-2003, 11:38 PM
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Originally posted by Mark_02DX
I think he means in case it DOESN'T start...
Exactly my point.
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Old June-6th-2003, 11:39 PM
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Originally posted by Maxx Mazda


No you don't. I work at a dealership. So does pr5owner. I wash my engine off like once a week and nothing has been hurt for a whole year now.
When I degreased and power washed my Camry, I covered the alternator, distributor cap and other various electronics. After I was done washing, the car would not start. Apparently some water got where it wasn't supposed to. I'm just saying you never know where the water might get to.
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Old June-7th-2003, 12:05 AM
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Originally posted by gcs118


When I degreased and power washed my Camry, I covered the alternator, distributor cap and other various electronics. After I was done washing, the car would not start. Apparently some water got where it wasn't supposed to. I'm just saying you never know where the water might get to.
I've never had a problem with my Protege.
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Old June-7th-2003, 02:38 AM
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My friend was doing an engine swap on his 85 T-Bird and he drove his front end into a lake and let his engine run under water for like 5 minutes. That thing was a tank, nothing could stop it.


Another neat trick was seeing how long it could run without oil... A WHOLE WEEK. I swear that's impossible.
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Old June-7th-2003, 03:56 AM
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lol thats great for the engine...anywho when i was a mechanic we used to wash engines out all the time with pressure washers and then blow it try with an air line and NEVER had a problem doing it, though we were working on mercedes, bmws, and porches mostly (a little better built than camrys)
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Old June-7th-2003, 01:41 PM
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Originally posted by pluto316
My friend was doing an engine swap on his 85 T-Bird and he drove his front end into a lake and let his engine run under water for like 5 minutes. That thing was a tank, nothing could stop it.


Another neat trick was seeing how long it could run without oil... A WHOLE WEEK. I swear that's impossible.
how is that possible. One stroke in one cylinder of the engine and it would injest a butt load of water and seize the engine. Was the engine compartment water tight???
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