Author Topic: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???  (Read 4836 times)

Offline HarrisGTI

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Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« on: 01 September 2009, 16:18 »
Hey guys,

I bought a second hand engine and gearbox for my GTI as i recently posted about my gearbox going bang! I have now had the second hand one fitted and my baby is now running and i have transport again! YEAH!!!!


But i have a 80K 1.8 8 valve GTI engine that i dont need. I am going to put it on ebay so has anyone presuure washed there engine before or had it steam cleaned??? Can i do this and it not mess up any o ther electrics etc???

Thanks for any help given!!
Drives 56 Plate GT Tdi! :)

Offline dai-cymru

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #1 on: 01 September 2009, 16:22 »
you can do it as long as all electrics are covered up and all openings into it are covered up. personally i would rather buy a dirty engine as you know if it has any leaks etc, cleaned engines make me think something is being hidden  :wink:

Offline richw911

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #2 on: 01 September 2009, 18:35 »
you can do it as long as all electrics are covered up and all openings into it are covered up. personally i would rather buy a dirty engine as you know if it has any leaks etc, cleaned engines make me think something is being hidden  :wink:

+1  :smiley:

Where in devon are you from?

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Offline Rhyso

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #3 on: 01 September 2009, 18:37 »
you can do it as long as all electrics are covered up and all openings into it are covered up. personally i would rather buy a dirty engine as you know if it has any leaks etc, cleaned engines make me think something is being hidden  :wink:

+1  :smiley:

Where in devon are you from?

looks like you won't ever buy a car off me then  :grin: :grin:

don't leave the water pointed at any particular bit for more than a second or so to reduce the chances of water getting in where it shouldn't

Get some Autoglym Engine & Machine cleaner and some brushes - spray the areas and use the brush to rub it in then hose down with the pressure washer

Offline G60GTI16V

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #4 on: 01 September 2009, 19:30 »
same here to



Offline HarrisGTI

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #5 on: 01 September 2009, 22:42 »
Thanks for your help guys!!!

Will be on ebay in a week or so! :)

Drives 56 Plate GT Tdi! :)

Offline HarrisGTI

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #6 on: 01 September 2009, 22:43 »
you can do it as long as all electrics are covered up and all openings into it are covered up. personally i would rather buy a dirty engine as you know if it has any leaks etc, cleaned engines make me think something is being hidden  :wink:

+1  :smiley:

Where in devon are you from?

Hey mate,

I live near Plymouth.

:)
Drives 56 Plate GT Tdi! :)

Offline wayne_gtiT

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #7 on: 01 September 2009, 23:14 »
same here to



how come this have to dumpvalves?

Offline Guy

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #8 on: 02 September 2009, 13:33 »
you can do it as long as all electrics are covered up and all openings into it are covered up. personally i would rather buy a dirty engine as you know if it has any leaks etc, cleaned engines make me think something is being hidden  :wink:

+1  :smiley:

Where in devon are you from?

looks like you won't ever buy a car off me then  :grin: :grin:

don't leave the water pointed at any particular bit for more than a second or so to reduce the chances of water getting in where it shouldn't

Get some Autoglym Engine & Machine cleaner and some brushes - spray the areas and use the brush to rub it in then hose down with the pressure washer

you could probably find something like Megs APC would be more cost effective as a general purpose cleaner and would work perfectly well in conjunction with a pressure washer

Offline Dan J

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Re: Can you pressure wash a MK4 1.8 GTI engine???
« Reply #9 on: 07 September 2009, 01:09 »
engine bays are fine to use a pressure washer on as long as you take extreme care :wink:
tip:
     run engine to get warm not hot, then switch off!
     apply chosen de-greaser/apc from a spray bottle starting with underside of the bonnet then moving down towards the engine,once your saticfied you've covered everything allow to soak for 5/10 mins remembering to re-apply to the areas that start to dry out from engine warmth!
then rinse off starting again from the underside of the bonnet moving down towards the engine keeping the lance at a distance
from the engine. keep the water away from alarm sirens and ecu housing,fuses etc the rest is fine to get wet as it will at some point in its life from water splashing up from puddles and driving in heavy rain.
turn on engine once you've fully rinsed it off, put bonnet down and allow to dry for 5/10 mins. once its all dry you can dress it :wink:
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