Washing tractor engine yes/no

[Ritothebull]

Simple green works pretty good unless you have lots of oil leaking and if you do just fix it.:confused2:

 

[Texasmark]

I don't wash mine nor my truck's engine compartment. Too many things to get water in that will cause problems later..............I used to do it , If that helps! I do wash the tin and tires and wheels from time to time with a rag/brush and garden hose.

 

[flyerdan]

One of these engine cleaning guns works nice for cleanup, use your favorite cleaner / degreaser and dial in how much liquid to feed. Easy to control and not nearly as messy as a pressure washer.

 

[CMV]

I do mine with the pressure washer when I'm doing any other kind of maintenance/service. Clean to inspect type deal - get all the crud and gunk out of there and you can more easily see something wrong. I don't use any detergent or solvent and use a wider fan setting so the pressure is a lot less than a typical DIY coin-op carwash - enough to clean, but not a real strong jet to anything.

 

[RalphVa]

I plan to pressure wash the tractor at 150 hours when I need to regrease and to change the engine oil/filter. I won't pressure wash behind the instrument panel but could if I could properly blow dry it afterwards. Also won't blow pressurized water into seams where water could go behind the panel below the instrument panel. That area can get pretty coated with dirt and best not to get it wet because of the electrical stuff there.

I do the same for my Izuzu diesel about once/year. Just don't direct any water towards the generator end, but it would likely dry out by the next time the generator needed to run (every other Thursday for 15 minutes).

I used to thoroughly wash the engine bay area of our 1983 Benz 240D. Gotta be more careful on the newer engine bays.

Ralph

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just use a garden hose to wash off my diesel engines. No oil leaks so dust and dirt come right off. I have never hosed the engine in my cars except maybe the cover over the air intake. No chemicals used to degrease. My hose gets the excess grease off, I don't bother with the grease stains around the FEL zerks since they just get dirty again. Tractors are not supposed to look like a show car.

 

[DK35vince]

I have pressure washed the engine in my tractors at least once per year. Never an issue.

 

[ovrszd]

Me too Vince. I ask, has anyone on this thread had a failure due to power washing their machine?

 

[DK35vince]

Me too Vince. I ask, has anyone on this thread had a failure due to power washing their machine?

I work for a paving company, every fall I spend 2 weeks pressure washing diesel equipment for winter maintenance.
Pavers, rollers, chippers, skid steers, trucks, ETC. ETC. including the engines.
Never an issue. Just use a little common sense spraying around some electrical or computer components if it has any and he will be fine.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I used to work as a service technicians on welding machines. When one came in, I pulled the cover off, started the paperwork, and noted any burn smells or discoloration. Then I pressure washed and dried with a leaf blower. I buttoned it up and it sat overnight.

You would not believe the rats nests, chicken feathers, mud daubers, and general grunge under the hood of some machines. Cleaning never caused a problem.