Can the engine compartment be washed with water?
2 Answers
Engine compartment cannot be washed with water, because it generally includes equipment such as the engine, air filter, battery, engine exhaust system, throttle, coolant reservoir, relay box, brake booster, throttle cable, windshield washer fluid reservoir, brake fluid reservoir, and fuse box. Directly washing with water may cause damage to these components. For regular cleaning of the engine compartment, you can first use an air gun to blow away the dust inside, and then use a clean damp cloth to wipe the relatively dirty areas. Maintaining cleanliness in the engine compartment is a very good habit, and you can use professional cleaning agents to clean the engine compartment.
I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade and have seen many car owners take the shortcut of directly rinsing their engine bays with water, which often leads to serious trouble. The engine compartment contains battery terminals, computer motherboards, and various sensors - water intrusion can easily cause short circuits and burn out components. I strongly advise against this practice, especially when the engine is still hot, as the temperature changes significantly increase the risks. Nowadays, there are professional engine foam cleaners available on the market. Just spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off - this effectively removes grease while being completely safe. Alternatively, you can take your car to a professional detailing shop where they use compressed air and low-pressure steam cleaning for more thorough results. Regular maintenance like this can extend your vehicle's lifespan and avoid unnecessary repair costs - a single accident could cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands in repairs, which simply isn't worth it. In short, using water is the worst possible approach. Putting safety first is the real way to save both hassle and money.
