Here is a question I have in my mind for some time now. My S40 is my first NEW car I bought and I'm going to try to keep it new for as long as possible.

It seems to be a common idea that in order to keep your car looking good you need regular wash, wax, detailing, etc (for whom ever wants to spent the time) .

I was curious to know if anyone had some thought on the over all engine cleaning.
Is it feasible to wash your engine? Does it help prolonged life of the car the way it does on the exterior? Can it be power washed? Is the exterior housing more protected than the engine mechanics? Are there lubricated areas not to wash? Aside from the battery, is there other electrical component susceptible to humidity that is accessible from under the hood? Etc...

If any one has some thought let me know. Thank you all... :grin:

Grég

Don't wash with a pressure washer or a hose.

Water will leak down into the cylinders and cause it to missfire.

Wipe everything down with a rag and some cleaner.

Cool! That answers my primary question. :thumbsup:
How in the world Can water leak in the cylinders?
Not much space to reach in my S40. Every thing is so tightly packed.
Thanks tech...

Greg

It sneaks under the plastic cover on the top of the engine.

I always thought that the entire engine block was sealed in order to provide compression and that The only way in was the gas and the way out the exhaust. But come to think of it I guess there is also the air intake for the mix. But isn't that some what protected?

Greg

You don't quite understand what I am saying.
If you remove the top cover there is coil packs mounted in the top of the Valve cover. When you remove the coils the spark plugs are under there in holes in the head. Sealed from the inside of the engine. But the water will make its way in there and make the plugs wet and make it missfire. But the water isn't in the engine it is between the coils and the plugs.

Oh yeah. Take heed of Tech's advise.

Learn from my experience, dude! It's lodged in somewhere in the 850 Forum. Trust me. It was A VERY SCARY experience!
:)

Ho I'll trust Tech on that one for sure :clap: ... I'm just curious and Volvo car knowledge hunting... :grin:
Greg

I saw your post Ampangbear...scary.

I have used Simple Green though. Sprayed the engine bay, then hosed it down (I know, I know) with a regular garden hose. Then srpay it down with Armor All/STP. Never had a problem. Guess I havent over done it with water.

But after the following discussion, I might start using some other cleaner. Apparently Simple Green can eat thru aluminum over time;

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=34789

Ampangbear,

I just found your post on your 850. It’s a really neat story.
I guess I know what not to do now but I’m not sure what to do because the rag idea is not fully satisfactory.
Does anyone know of cleaning tools to clean hard to reach areas?
Greg…

Hey guys. Imagine my heart-beat at that time. :lol:

Greg,
I think the de-greaser is probably still the best to use for those hard to reach areas, just be careful of what and where you spray.
:)

It'd be feeling like someone drived-home a nail through your heart if it were to happen to an S60R or an S40!
:)

I'll look into this option (the de-greaser spray).
I think I'd feel the same way if it happened to me the way it did to you. I'll be very careful and selective.
My car is still relatively new so I'll wait a bit before it gets dirtier and will do engine clean less often I think in order to minimize risk. May be just once a year. What do you think? would it be enough to keep engine clean in the long run?

Thanks for your useful feedback ampangbear... :thumbsup:

Greg

No problem, dude... We help where we can.

As for the period, up to you, I used to put like once every quarter, but 3 quarters later, still very little dirt or soot finds way into my engine-bay. Well, maybe I'll do one in December.

:)

All the best, Greg!

Thanks a bunch... You guys are doing a great job on this forum :clap: and so far I think it’s the most active and helpful Volvo forum I have seen…

I'll see how bad it gets as it goes on.
We also get a lot of snow in the "Burgh" (Pittsburgh) during the winter and cars don't like much the combo snow and salt. It probably reaches the bottom of the engine but nothing I can do other than going to the auto car wash to clean the under chassis. I'm not sure how effective it is though.

:beer: Greg

Anymore, Ive started doing the engine whenever it looks bad.

Never go to the car wash unless its some un-Godly cold temp out for a while. I got a hot water line in the garage to make it easier.

As for the salt mixtures, I figure after a few rain storms it rinses the underside well enough

Nobody knows what does it mean to CLEAN the engine bay, until the turbo hose from the engine block come loose. Messy work... I used WD40 to dismiss the residual engine oil and blowed it away with pressured air.

I think a household hot water line is the best idea. Hot water is the cheapest and safest way to clean an engine. I never had the luxury of having a hot water tap near where I wanted to do the cleaning though. I've always just used a kettle at almost boiling.
Just keep all the electrics dry.

Hot water...?
Hmmm....