Can the engine compartment be washed with water?
2 Answers
Do not wash the engine compartment directly with water. Before cleaning, the following preparations should be made: 1. Check all the wiring harness interfaces in the engine compartment to ensure they are waterproof (including components such as the battery, engine, air filter, spark plugs, etc.), and then use water for cleaning. 2. During the cleaning process, due to the numerous electrical components and wiring harnesses in the engine compartment, it is prohibited to directly spray the components with a high-pressure water gun. 3. After rinsing, wipe the compartment with cleaning equipment (such as cleaning agents), rinse it with water again, and finally use a prepared dry towel to wipe away the water. If you want the moisture in the compartment to dry faster, you can start the engine after wiping away the water to use the heat generated by the engine to dry the moisture adhering to the surface.
I remember a friend once suggested I rinse the engine bay with water, claiming it would clean faster. After trying it, my car suddenly wouldn't start—turns out water had seeped into the electrical system causing a short circuit, costing me hundreds in repairs. It was heartbreaking. Since then, I've switched to using a damp cloth or specialized cleaner for slow wiping, not daring to take risks. With so many exposed wires and sensors in the engine bay, water can easily corrode components or cause short circuits, especially in older cars or if done on rainy days. If dust accumulates, compressed air can be used for blowing, but rinsing should absolutely be reconsidered. Honestly, I'd rather spend more time on manual maintenance than risk costly repairs for the sake of saving time—a lesson learned the hard way.
