The engine bay in the Prius has gotten dirty since I bought it. I have not put any aftermarket products inside the engine bay everything is OEM. I was considering bringing the car to a self service carwash lifting the hood and spraying out the entire engine bay. Is there any considerations I need to take ? I'm not sure due to the electrical set up for the hybrid if that can be drenched and still be ok.
It's probably not recommended but I do it's everytime the engine gets dirty. I presoak with Simple Green then spray it's down. I do this at a quality car wash as they are more likely to treat the "waste water so it doesn't go directly into our streams.
I use about the same procedure, simple green is good, but any engine cleaner works. The main thing is to rinse off good and keep the spray gentle and especially off of anything electric. Makes things much easier to work on when everything is clean. :cheer2:
-1 on spraying the engine compartment, unless you have a tailings pond catching all the run-off, that is. Really, all the washed off oil is heading down the street, likely into streams.
You're going to be OK with the Simple Green (or a similar product) and a low pressure rinse...or just a low pressure rinse is what I do. The engine compartment components are relatively weather resistant. Be careful with the water pressure, and be extra careful which 'engine cleaner' you use!! NOT all engine cleaners are the same(!), and there are a lot of plastical components in the engine room!! I'm curious....do the "quality" car wash-O-ramas treat and dispose of...or treat and re-use waste water? We don't salt our roads down here, so it's not a big deal for me…and unfortunately (or fortunately ) I’m geographically limited to mostly hand washing at the house. If I lived in a place that DID salt the roads---I'd do some homework on the saline content of the robo-washer's water. Just sayin....
Are you thinking that the oil and gunk that accumulates on your engine stays out of the environment if you don't spray your engine compartment?
I would say a fair bit of it does just that: clings on the engine and components. And any that does come loose does it a drop or two at a time. Anyway, when you hit the engine compartment with a wack of detergent saturated water, yes, you are doing a diservice to your local environment. Just my 2 cents.
I would think that the engine oil/grease coated hoses and other components act as a preservative coating keeping rubber, metals and plastic from becoming rusty or brittle over a long time period. However, it sucks to see a dirty engine!
Usually the oil is coming from someplace. All I know: in a bit over 6 months ours barely looks dusty. No oil leaks coming from anywhere. I hit it with a wet/dry vacuum on blow, with a few brushes, and it looks like new. But I wouldn't get too excited about: it's an engine bay, not a dinner plate.
Federal laws require that car wash joints register with the State and they are required to discharge their waste water into sewer systems that lead to waste water treatment plants. In all most reputable car wash joints are much better than washing your car in the driveway. A lot of our residential systems drain directly into streams and wetlands. Eco-Friendly Car Washing - Is it Better for the Environment to Wash Cars by Hand or at the Car Wash?
Pic taken @ 13 years old RAV4 with a min. of 1-2 engine washes per year. Original belts and hoses replaced at 12 years/120k miles were still soft and pliable. Direct spraying of any electronics and intake systems is avoided as much as possible. Our Prius will get the same treatment (1 wash so far). If you stay ahead of the game, there's no need for harsh chemicals; just good ol' soap and water at the car wash.
I've "sprayed" the engine bay of almost every vehicle I've owned at some point or another. I think you clearly can do it.... I would just say, being conservative and using copious amounts of precaution and common sense will help a lot. I would never use "high pressure" AND I'd avoid anything electrical as much as possible. Even if this means temporarily taping parts off with plastic and duct tape... If anything or any part makes you nervous...don't spray it down. Once you get the majority of the engine bay clean...you can always then go back with just a damp rag and carefully wipe off anything else. This is basically what I've done with every vehicle I've owned. I guess I'd be a little more nervous with a Prius. But I think, avoid anything attached to electronics or electrics...if you have doubts or questions....just skip spraying it....Spraying off the "safe" metal parts and carefully wiping down everything else by hand...will work.
