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Message |
Busfool (Chuck)
Registered Member
Username: Chuck
Post Number: 82
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 206.172.106.48
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 9:01 pm: | |
Is there any danger in presure washing the engine and engine compartment has anyone done this and is there something to clean up the gunk? |
James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member
Username: Jjrbus
Post Number: 90
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.1.180.218
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 9:11 pm: | |
Yes there is a danger. You can cut wires, push water past seals, blow holes in radiators. anything that is marginally corroded can be cut open.
Dont mean to scare you away from doing it. But you do need to exercise caution. Most pressure washers have pressure adjustments. Practice adjusting and useing, use some common sense and you will be ok. |
Busfool (Chuck)
Registered Member
Username: Chuck
Post Number: 84
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 206.172.106.162
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 7:38 am: | |
thanks Jjr mine does have a control for the presure adjustment. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member
Username: Drivingmisslazy
Post Number: 1949
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 75.108.76.131
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 9:21 am: | |
I used a pressure washer for years on 8V92 with no problem. I did keep the King cruise control in a baggie as they indicated that no water should get into it. Otherwise, I washed everything visible fairly often to keep it looking nice.
My belief is that if anything is marginal enough that a washer would damage it, it should be replaced before total failure. Just do not be foolish with it and hold a 4,000 psi nozzle up to the surface.
Richard |
Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member
Username: Barn_owl
Post Number: 56
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 72.66.179.83
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 11:26 am: | |
Where I work (UPS), the automotive mechanics routinely pressure wash the engines before working on them without any problems. Keep in mind that the vast majority of the vehicles are relatively new and are electronically controlled. Just be careful around relays (my experience), and you will be fine. When our car washers get overzealous and pressure wash the dash (electronic), we sometimes have to let the vehicles dry out before they return to normal. On my bus, I pressure wash the engine compartment a couple of times a year. I will warm the engine up, spray on a degreaser, and spray it off. If you have a part that is corroded enough that a pressure washer can put a hole in it, then you need to replace that part, it’s ready to go anyways. My washer will remove paint, 3500psi/4gpm, just vary the distance of your wand to your work, and use common sense, and enjoy working on a clean engine. |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member
Username: Chessie4905
Post Number: 631
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.117.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 11:33 am: | |
There are boidegradeable gunk removers or just plain kerosene that you can pre spray on engine and compartment before you start. Usually they say to apply on a cold or SLIGHTLY warm engine-NOT HOT, including manifolds. If you live in California, I think they will shoot or hang you now if it isn't biogradeable. |
Larry D Baker (Lbaker4106)
Registered Member
Username: Lbaker4106
Post Number: 61
Registered: 5-2005
Posted From: 209.153.142.251
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 12:04 pm: | |
GUNK makes an engine grease remover. Just spray on, let set and spray it off. I have used it and it works ok. Auto parts and most hardwares have it on hand. Larry |
Manny (Buscrazyinfl)
Registered Member
Username: Buscrazyinfl
Post Number: 26
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 72.185.35.73
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 6:24 pm: | |
Barn owl, I can't believe that UPS still washes their engines up there. They quit washing them down here a long time ago. If a center does not have a car wash tunnel they wash the pkg cars maybe twice a month, they say for environmental reason---yeah right($$) I'm with you, I wash my engine often and I use GUNK engine cleaner...it works great! |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member
Username: Chessie4905
Post Number: 634
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.117.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 9:33 pm: | |
You need to keep that engine nice and clean. Whenever guys get together with their coaches, the first thing they do is lift the engine doors to ask, compare, or talk about something. Embarassing if your engine isn't presentable; no big deal if the wife isn't. |
Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member
Username: Barn_owl
Post Number: 59
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 72.66.179.83
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:19 pm: | |
Manny,
Our facility is one of the last that still has a wash bay. We came very close to loosing it a couple of years ago. At first corperate didn’t realize we hadn’t dismanteled it, and/or stopped using it. It was one very well kept secret. Fortunately, when they found out about it, a new type of cleaning enzyme was approved, and after testing the discharge water by corporate, our facility was approved to keep it. It took a little bit of a fight, and a site visit or two, but it is here to stay. Roanoke has one of the cleanest and best maintained fleets in the company, and a top notch mechanic group. We are also one the few that still have a rebuild shop. Richmond, which is 2x bigger, sends us a lot of their work. It is awesome to have such a knowledge base to tap into when I need advice on bus repairs. I also get to see the parts, tools and methods that are used to do those repairs. I have my own personal consulting team…..very cool!
Laryn |
Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member
Username: Barn_owl
Post Number: 60
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 72.66.179.83
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:22 pm: | |
I forgot to mention that we are a 25k hub and we also have a wash tunnel. |
Manny (Buscrazyinfl)
Registered Member
Username: Buscrazyinfl
Post Number: 27
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 72.185.35.73
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 4:09 pm: | |
That's great about your center Laryn. As you know I'm retired now, it's just hard for me to see the package cars dirty because that was my job when I started out (washing them). Don't forget to let us know when you come to Ft. Wilderness at Disney. |