Washing tractor engine yes/no

[dwalk19]

My tractors engine is quite dusty/dirty,, i can blow a good amount of it off with air, but i'd like to keep it cleaner, what are peoples thoughts on washing or pressure washing the engine

 

[ovrszd]

My tractors get 2 or 3 pressure washer baths a year including the engine.

 

[DieselBound]

I've only really ever used compressed air. It'll even take care of a fair amount of oil deposits, but, best to look to take care of any leaks rather than keep cleaning up after them (so says the guy who is still battling leaks at his hydraulic top link!]).

For general washing and waxing I just let my neighbor borrow my tractor (he's sets a bad example! I've never waxed a tractor and I get my B7800 back from him to find that he's washed it and did a little waxing!)

I'll also add that my equipment rental guy frowns on using pressure washers on [his] equipment. I only use a garden hose (and that's what he does). Pressure washer pressures can force water into places where you might not want water (lots of electrical stuff comes in to mind; seals are also a concern).

 

[WranglerX]

I use GUNK engine degreaser on all my vehicle engines.... Followed by pressure nozzle on garden hose.... Owner manual for my MF states keep back 2 feet or so if using pressure washer...

Surprisingly "Simple Green" does good clean up if crud is not to bad....

Dale

 

[thepumpguysc]

Never Ever put cold water on a running diesel engine.. it may seize the injection pump.
I normally spray one down w/ brake cleaner & air hose it down to dry.

 

[RickB]

Keep water away from electrical components and electronics.

 

[BTDT2]

I mostly use a leaf blower and compressed air for day to day cleaning of radiator screens, engine area etc. Occasionally I wash the entire tractor with soap and water and use WD 40 to remove the copious amounts of grease I deposit frequently around all the zerk fittings

 

[atsah]

Twice a year, leaf blower in the engine compartment and I wash the rest of the tractor like I wash my vehicles, soap, water, hose and a sponge..

 

[BTDT2]

Twice a year, leaf blower in the engine compartment and I wash the rest of the tractor like I wash my vehicles, soap, water, hose and a sponge..

Are we by chance related?:cool2:

 

[atsah]

Are we by chance related?:cool2:

I don't think so but we do think alike..:laughing:

 

[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.