Cleaning the engine

From page 379 of the Owner's Manual:

... so I would say it isn't a great idea.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AlphaTeam @ Jul 12 2006, 08:17 PM) [snapback]285421[/snapback]</div>

Better to take a slightly damp rag to it. And then you one of those air spray dusters if need be.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AlphaTeam @ Jul 12 2006, 10:17 PM) [snapback]285421[/snapback]</div>

You need to be careful around the power leads:


That black box that on the right of the photo provides MG2 power has a small vent tube. If it is warm and the cold water hits it, the air inside will contract and suck in whatever is around. The problem is a conductive water can trigger a ground fault error code. The Toyota repair action is to 'replace the transaxle' . . . a bad thing. But sometimes things need to be cleaned.

You want to avoid washing a 'hot' engine and keep the water spray away from the power leads. If you do get a ground fault, let the service department know you were washing the engine and they may be able to go in and dry out the problem.

Bob Wilson

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AlphaTeam @ Jul 12 2006, 10:17 PM) [snapback]285421[/snapback]</div>

You can, but you don't want to. Along with the warning in the owner's manual, notice all the waterproofing seals inside the compartment designed to keep water out.

 

use a damp cloth or some other duster- like a featherduster maybe? water in the wrong place is very bad.

 

I do it twice a year, but be sure to pull the ignition coils and blow out all the water from the sparkplug tubes. Here on the wet coast mother nature can keep every thing as wet as your garden hose can. Use a fine mist spray and a bio-degradeable cleaner/degreaser. Do it with the car powered off. Then every hi-voltage feed is off.