Engine Cleaning

Water won't hurt an alternator or AC/clutch! Don't hit it with a pressure washer so that a jet of water blasts past the bearing seals, but other than that its harmless to an alternator or AC clutch. If you've ever had an AC clutch apart, the electrical wiring (just a magnet coil) is completely encased inside a plastic potting compound. Alternator wiring is entirely magnet wire which is coated and waterproof, and even the exposed brush/sliprings won't be harmed by a little water. Heck, offroaders submerge their alternators routinely, and lots of regular street cars have the alternators down where splash from puddles can get to them.

No, the job is a little bit cleaner but not easier. Yes, I do a lot of my own work and I used to clean my engine at the car wash every couple of months. It's a waste of money and time.

Hmmm, you seem to be saying that a clean engine makes a big difference in how the engine runs and how long it lasts but you can't measure any difference.

Name a problem caused by dirty valve covers or caked-on crude on the oil pan. What problem would dust and dirt on the fire wall cause?

Jack

Well hell Scott, you wipe the damn thing off with a rag before you take the top off. Same holds true for the oil filler, wipe it off with a rag before you take the cap off.

You guys do what you want about washing your car's engine. If it makes you feel better to have a clean engine, then great. Just don't try to convince me that your car runs better or last longer than mine will with a dirty engine. Oh yeah, don't come crying to me when you're stuck in a car wash bay with a wet engine that won't start. Or crack a hot manifold by spraying cold water on it.

Jack

A clean engine runs cooler. Much better for the engine.

If you don't take care of your car, then yeah, water might make it hard to start. But if you drive in a rainstorm, your engine gets wet.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Dumbass.

One of the few times it's ok to use always: It's ALWAYS easier to work on a clean engine.

Riiiiight.

I can.

Heat buildup.

Nothing. But then, the firewall isn't the engine,

Are you REALLY that clueless?

Ignore it and it'll go away?

I don't know where you live, but keeping an engine compartment clean cuts down on the corrosion and that does make things easier.

I've never found a need to do it that frequently.

Go play games somewhere else. It's plainly clear what I said.

Why those specific ones? Why not road salt coating brake lines?

As are some warranties! LOL

And JC Penney's receipts.