Engine wash

Yes wash it a
nd tell us what happened

 

Don't.

Just vacuum and brush, use compressed air, damp cloth, much safer. Better for the environment too.

The AC compressor's 12 volt connector in particular can get buggered up, and the remedy is very expensive.

 

The A/C runs off 201VDC, right?. Is there 12 VDC signal in that connector as well?

I use an old toothbrush to dislodge dirt and bugs. No oil leaks so it's a pretty easy job. I don't think anyone would recommend just hosing it down. But if you do, try to avoid the top of the valve cover where the spark plugs and coil packs are.

 

There’s a person on here whose initials are N.A.B who does that on a video tutorial

 

There's a large orange connector (the high voltage), and a black connector (regular voltage). The latter plugs in atop the compressor. You need to remove the air intake, at least the snorkel portion (I can never remove just that portion, so it's always the air filter box too). As you stand facing the front of the engine, the compressor's at the lower left corner of the engine. That 12 volt connector plugs into a socket, which is basically like a little upright cup: it can fill up with water, and the electrodes inside short out and/or corrode. It's not easily replacable: someone here had an ongoing struggle trying to repair it, and IIRC ended up just replacing the compressor.

 

no

 

The 201vdc from the hybrid battery gets stepped up to ~600vac through the inverter. The A/C compressor runs off of that.

 

I did. I had an engine bay full of sand.
No problems. (Thankfully!)
Looks great.
I sprayed it off at the car wash with low pressure "soaking soap." Then used the low pressure spot-free rinse. Then the air blower.

But I have a 2016.
Lots of videos on YouTube. Probably won't do the "fragile" Prius as often as I did my V6 Camry.

 

Be carefull please .this car has too many sensors . computers .high voltage cables etc... Not the ordinary car for that coin car wash place . clean the bottom of it is pretty safe but not sure if spray the top of with high pressure is smart

 

If you wash , then use lots of compressed air after. Perhaps take the air filter box off too, to better wipe up, and check that AC black connector at top of compressor. It can be released by using a thin blade to pry out the tab (gently) on the front side of the connector, just above the base. Then you can verify it is dry inside. Or at the least direct compressed air right at the connector.

 

I have washed engine bay couple of time both my 2010 Prius and Camry hybrid with1500 psi high pressure washer . Cover the inverter and high voltage connector with plastic wrap and use minimum water.
Reason I use high pressure washer is it dispenses very little water with high pressure as compared to garden hose. Make sure you dry the area and leave for few 20 min in sun to evaporate any water residue. And start the engine and leave it on or drive for 5 min to dry off any leftover water vapour.


Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Do you all think the high voltage connectors and stuff don't get wet when driving in the rain?

We've had our Prius for 8 years and over 150k miles and I've washed the engine bay the exact same way as I've washed every other engine bay. Mist with gentle cleaner or soap, scrub the extra dirty place with a brush, rinse with a hose using a light mist. Dry it with a cloth and/or compressed air, then leave it alone for a while to finish air drying.

Never a single issue, in any car, for 30 years, using this completely reasonable method. Unless you go crazy with a pressure washer, gently washing your engine is no more dangerous than driving in the rain.

(that's my opinion)

 

We just had some heavy rain in the last few days, and coupled with the fall leaves clogging gutter drains, a lot of areas had flooding. And guess what: a lot of cars stalled out, needing a tow, after attempting to plow through the flooded areas. So yes, in normal condtions, a bit of rain, I think the engine bay does stay pretty dry.

 

The key is underlined, every flood has idiots driving into water that's too deep and flooding out. Most cars have their air intakes quite low and people just don't realize. It does not take much water depth for a running engine to suck water through it's intake.

That is nothing like lightly spraying your engine bay with water while the engine is OFF. Apples and Oranges.

My point is that a reasonable careful wash is no more potentially damaging than driving in the rain. Again, that's my opinion and I'm sure it will get nitpicked to death, but I'm sticking to it. Folks are welcome to think otherwise but my decades of personal experience tell me this isn't nearly the big deal some folks make of it.

 

I guess my second concern is the nearby streams: if you're engine bay is is oily and you're hitting it with degreaser... Still our nearby Mr Lube puts us all to shame: their oil spill management is lackluster, and they regularly pressure wash it all into nearby storm drains.

Eight years coming up, nothing but a very occasional dusting:

 

Ain't no "Streams" in the big city of La-La Land. I've never used a de-greaser on any car in the past. Soap was always sufficient. And a gentle squeeze on the car wash spray wand to rinse.

The Prius engine does look to be a little more fragile..... But heck, what do I know! I'm a Prius rookie. I just wash it, and drive it. I had an engine bay full of cat poop & sand!! If you want to be freaked-out, find the NutzAboutBolts engine wash video on YouTube. He uses a strong spray and drowns it!

(Mendel, don't forget to change your air filter. )

 

146,000 on my '14. Engine compartment was starting to get pretty dirty and was putting off cleaning for respect of the magic smoke containing parts. Then the Moose attacked my car while on a trip in Colorado. After getting the car back from the body shop, engine compartment is shiny clean! It only cost me 100.00 out of pocket but I don't recommend it.