Mud in engine compartment / pressurewashing

[NorCalDiscoII]

First rain in High Sierra this weekend took a trip to El Dorado national forest - found a small mud trench, not more then 2' deep - fun! Anyways, won't be doing this again too often if I can help it: took a long three hours wash, including hot pressure wash, to clean the nasty California clay out. Any advice on pressure washing? I remember a post from a few weeks ago about running the engine while washing, but what else? Anything I need to know about undercarriage washing? Can I damage anything while pressure washing?

Also, bunch of lights went off (TC, ABS, HILL DESCEND, etc.) after I got out of the mud. Turned the ignition off and on to fix that, but had to do it again on the way back through the same trench... is this normal??? I take it the mud clogged/tripped sensors temporarily???

 

[Steve83]

More likely the lights came on from a problem with the ABS modulator. Next time you're near the dealer, let them check the memory to see why. You'll probably drive out with a new modulator.

As long as you don't blast at the seals, gaskets, or electronics REALLY hard, you'll be OK.

 

[PHARAOHDISCO]

Are you sure it's safer to keep the engine running, when pressure washing, even if the engine is cool.

 

[Ryan Graham]

My advice: go to an auto parts store and buy a can of Foamy Engine Brite. Use the whole can, maybe two, wherever you see fit, then rinse off with normal garden hose pressure. Most of the time pressure washing will not cause problems as long as you dont "direct inject" anything, but when it does who wants to be stuck at the car wash pulling components apart and drying them. My .02

 

[NorCalDiscoII]

Soooo..., driving along my friend this morning, who's got an '04 DII, and at a stop light he goes... "why does your truck sound like $hit???"...

I guess I wasn't paranoid after all, the belts really are whistling / squeaking now, some extra break squeaking can be heard too. To the naked eye everything looks pretty much clean now, but should I worry?

Anything in particular that I need to care about and clean out, or will the noises magically disappear after a while?

 

[Gumarcel]

brake sqeak is normal.

 

[Snwbord24]

I had that same problem. If you drove around with mud in your pulleys it made them out of balance. On mine it took some bearings out. So chances are that some of your pulley bearings are going out. I got idler pulleys replaced and a new A/C compressor because of it. All covered under warranty (of course it wasn't covered in mud when I took it in).

 

[rmuller]

I had that same problem. If you drove around with mud in your pulleys it made them out of balance. On mine it took some bearings out. So chances are that some of your pulley bearings are going out. I got idler pulleys replaced and a new A/C compressor because of it. All covered under warranty (of course it wasn't covered in mud when I took it in).

Same thing happened to me, and the appointment I got to get it in for service was before I got a chance to wash it.. so still covered in mud [at least the engine and underbody], and they still did everything free of charge!

 

[Andrew Homan]

My brakes stop squeaking when there muddy! I don't have a newer disco but I clean my engine and undercarriage all the time. I use that citrus crap from costco thats not supposed to hurt anything and and water from the garden hose. try not to spray the dist cap area or coil packs in your case. I have used dialectric grease on all the connectors I can get to and so far so good. If the engine is a little warm you won't hurt anything but don't spray water on it when it's hot. just my two cents!

Cheers Andy

 

[JSQ]

"why does your truck sound like $hit???"...


stereo maybe?

 

[rovercanus]

"why does your truck sound like $hit???"...

stereo maybe?

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!! Burn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

i cant belive it took 5 post...

i want to know how the crossovers made out

 

[RoverChic]

I thought Kyle said PhotoShop boy was gone?? I am also some what curious why someone would even consider using a pressurized hose that could take you radiator fan out?

Be very careful with the power wash. I almost ruined a radiator with one by getting to close with the spray nozzle. The force of the spray can bend the fins.

I would repeat the be careful part of the car wash stories. JagGuy cut some nice holes in his new radiator with a power washer just last weekend.

Those are quotes from various members of OkRovers who have experienced first hand the aftermath of the power hose.
Melissa N

 

[Snwbord24]

RoverChic,

It won't take your fan, but it can bend radiator cooling fins and damage the radiator potentially. You'd have to be using a pretty strong pressure washer to cut holes in the radiator though, unless it's already rusted and thin in those spots.

 

[rrefx]

So, another mud question... I was playin in the mud last weekend, very carefully washed everything off, but now my starter is sticking when it's starting up, and there is also a funny air sound when it's running. Sounds like something is sucking air, but it seems to only be higher RPM's and i can't locate it.

Did I toast my starter, or do I just need to take it off and clean it? I was planning on cleaning it anyways, can't afford a new one and I don't have the luxery of warentee. And any ideas what the air noise is? It sounds just like if you stick your head up to the air intake, but now I can hear it from the cab.

Thanks,
Ry

 

[RoverChic]

Sounds like something is sucking air, but it seems to only be higher RPM's and I can't locate it.

Vacuum leak maybe? Are you getting higher RPMS with the sucking noise or you only hear the hiss when @ higher RPMS.

Brett N in San Antonio had the same thing with his starter. There is a thread around here on it somewhere..I believe he took it out cleaned..maybe rebuilt it ?

 

[NorCalDiscoII]

I am also some what curious why someone would even consider using a pressurized hose...

Ever had your car detailed by a pro shop? I bet you think they use a toothbrush to get the dirt out, huh?

And yes, crossovers made it out OK, and so did the rest of the stereo. Keep it up with the brilliant comments, they're soooo original and just soooo damn funny! You must know Dave Chappelle!?

 

[JSQ]

"Keep it up with the brilliant comments, they're soooo original and just soooo damn funny! You must know Dave Chappelle!? "

I make Brian Gumble look like Malcolm X, bitch!

 

[NorCalDiscoII]

"Keep it up with the brilliant comments, they're soooo original and just soooo damn funny! You must know Dave Chappelle!? "

I make Brian Gumble look like Malcolm X, bitch!

That's it?