Should you Pressure wash engine compartment of a semi truck?

I do, usually at least twice a month, just stay away from the wiring harnesses coming out of the firewall and the
computer on the engine. The reason I do is to see any new leaks or seepage that is happening. Also I pressure was
everything, complete underneath, that way when you get inspected it makes it easier on them, and you.

 

It's ok to wash it but that depends on what truck orore how old it is. Don't was alt, starter,any moduls.or computers or wire connectors. You can bag up some things while you wash it but don't get electric components wet.

 

Yes, I have done it all the time at the Blue Beacon.

 

I pressure wash engine bay all the time before I drop it off for oil change. I don’t want to spray off new lube.

 

The nice thing about Blue Beacon is they use whatever soaps they have, which will dissolve about anything, without having to get very aggressive with high pressure water. If you have them do it semi-regularly/monthly, the engine stays nice and clean.

 

I just turn the heat up and pressure way down around the engine. I'd had it a few years ago a couple times where my truck went into limp mode after pulling out of blue beacon. Some water must have gotten into a connection that had to do with the throttle position sensor (that was the code I got anyway). Once it dried out it was fine, but I just quit having them wash under the hood. I'm pretty careful about putting a lot of pressure in around the engine now when I wash it myself.

 

Yup same. When i get a chance i take it to a manual truck wash and typically cover anything with wires or sensors and only really power wash around common areas for drips and seeps. Only time i really hard wash the engine is if i see a lot of buildup someplace to see if its a leak or something.

That said back when i first started driving may had me take my new truck to a beacon since the last driver left the truck a mess. They had a new guy there spray the air intake. And sure enough i got about 100 feet before it hydrolocked.