engine clean up questions?

[larson]

So for the next week or so I have a little electric pressure washer I borrowed. So I bought the big ass jug of purple power today to clean up my engine on the top side mostly.
My main concern is with the return lines. Will they take the pressure of the washer? I dont plan on just blasting them but it will get hit from time to time during the washing. Any other suggestions im all ears (eye's).

 

[dunk]

Whenever I clean my engine I just use engine brite. Let it soak in 10-15 mins then scrub with a nylon bristle brush on any grimy areas and spray off with hose. I only do this right before changing oil just in case any gets past the grommet in the intake it will drain out with the oil. I wouldn't worry about return lines or anything, just don't go to town right on them.

 

[jaluhn83]

Official Ford instruction are to not do it unless the engine is dead cold. Apparently if the injection pump is hot and you hit the outside with cold water it could shrink enough to seize/damage the pump. I think this isn't that likely personally, but still worth putting out there.

Also be careful of the valley and air filter. The stock filter will pool water on top which can easily leak into the intake if the bolt seal is bad or there's any holes/cracks in the cover. Takes very very little water to hydrolock one of these so be careful. I would also check that the valley pan drain hole at the back is open and check again after washing - small hole that is easy to plug with gunk washed off the engine.

Return lines will be fine.

 

[larson]

I was planning on pulling the air filter assembly off and sealing up the intake hole with 3 trash bags and alot of duct tape before spraying it down.

 

[larson]

Official Ford instruction are to not do it unless the engine is dead cold. Apparently if the injection pump is hot and you hit the outside with cold water it could shrink enough to seize/damage the pump. I think this isn't that likely personally, but still worth putting out there.

Also be careful of the valley and air filter. The stock filter will pool water on top which can easily leak into the intake if the bolt seal is bad or there's any holes/cracks in the cover. Takes very very little water to hydrolock one of these so be careful. I would also check that the valley pan drain hole at the back is open and check again after washing - small hole that is easy to plug with gunk washed off the engine.

Return lines will be fine.

When I bought this truck it had the heat soak issues with the IP. It would be hot as hell and if I killed it it wouldn't start back up. But if you dumped a bottle of water on it it would fire right up every time. I drove it like that for about 2 monthes until I had time to have the pump replaced.

 

[larson]

Well I got the top end cleaned up really good with no water in the intake. Purple power is definitely some good stuff. I did have some water back up on the intake pan but i soaked it up really quick with a sponge. I'm extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Its pretty amazing how good that factory grey paint holds up after almost 25yrs of wear and tear from oil and diesel.